Sunday Fulham Stuff (13/05/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Tottenham vs Fulham: Preview, Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

Tottenham welcome London rivals Fulham to White Hart Lane hoping to secure at least a top-four finish this season.

Spurs currently sit fourth in the table one point behind rivals Arsenal and one ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle, so should the Gunners fail to beat West Brom, a win would guarantee third spot and with it Champions League football next season.

However, if Arsenal win away at the Hawthorns, Harry Redknapp's men would be consigned to fourth and will face a nervy wait to see if they will be playing with Europe's elite next season. If Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in next weeks Champions League final, then the team who finish fourth will be forced to play in the Europa League next term.

Spurs go into the game having won just 3 of their last 12 games and missed the chance to reclaim third spot after only drawing 1-1 away at Aston Villa.

Fulham on the other hand are on a superb run having won 5 of their last 7, only losing 1, a run which has seen Martin Jol's side pushing for a 7th place finish.

Team News
Tottenham are sweating on the fitness of Scott Parker who is once again struggling with an achilles injury.

Harry Redknapp has problems at left back after Danny Rose was sent off last week against Villa and is therefore suspended, while first choice Benoit Assou-Ekotto is out with a shoulder injury.

This leaves Redknapp with the option of moving William Gallas over to the left or bringing Gareth Bale back from his left wing position to left back. His decision may rest with whether Ledley King can play, despite his troublesome knee injury.

Long-term absentees Niko Kranjcar, Tom Huddlestone and Michael Dawson remain on the sidelines.

Fulham were dealt a huge blow with the news Clint Dempsey is out with a groin strain and the American joins Bryan Ruiz, Dickson Etuhu and Steve Sidwell in missing the trip to White Hart Lane.

Likely Line-ups



Predicted Score
Despite their recent troubles, Tottenham are clear favourites to collect all three points from this game and only nerves or complacency will prevent them from doing so. But we can see Spurs doing there bit and winning this one. Tottenham 2-0 Fulham.



http://football-talk.co.uk/63265/tottenham-fulham-preview-team-news-lineups-predicted-score/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Former Arsenal defender targeting positive result at Tottenham

Fulham's Philippe Senderos is confident going into the final game at White Hart Lane

Fulham defender Philippe Senderos believes his side can finish the season on a high with a result at Tottenham.

The Whites have the strongest record in London derbies, picking up 12 points to Spurs' 11 and have won two of their last three away matches, against relegation threatened Bolton and a much changed Liverpool side.

"We all believe we can get a good result in the last game against Spurs and finish on a high," Senderos told the club's official website.

"This season is definitely something we are really happy about but we know if our away form had been better, we could have got even more points in the league.

"That [away form] has improved a lot in the way we have played over the course of the season with some strong recent results."

Fulham will have to go into the game without talisman Clint Dempsey, who was ruled out of the game through injury.



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/former_arsenal_defender_targeting_positive_result_at_tottenham_1_1376074?

[WhiteJC]

 
Adebayor and Van der Vaart set to feast on Fulham
Tottenham's two most attacking players have been carrying the fight in recent weeks and both look good to get on the scoresheet against the Cottagers.

As the Premier League season comes to a close this weekend, Tottenham will be desperate to secure their place in the top four ahead of Newcastle and possibly overtake Arsenal in third with victory over visitors Fulham at White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon.

With three goals in his previous two games, Emmanuel Adebayor will be looking for further success in what could be his last game for Spurs should his loan move from Manchester City not be made permanent in the summer.

The Togo international has had an impressive campaign for Harry Redknapp's side, notching 16 league goals in their bid for Champions League football, and he has been priced at 7/2 to open the scoring and 17/20 to score at any time.

Adebayor has enjoyed his meetings with the Cottagers since his arrival in England, having found the back of the net four times in his six matches against the West London club, those all coming in his time at Spurs' North London rivals Arsenal.

New customers who register with bwin and place their free £25 bet on Adebayor to score first would see a return of £112.50 should this prediction prove successful.

In playmaker Rafael van der Vaart, Spurs have another player who also knows where the back of the net is. And with 11 league goals this term, including two in his previous three games, backing a goal at any time from the Dutchman at 11/10 could prove fruitful.

Adebayor has enjoyed his meetings with the Cottagers since his arrival in England, having found the back of the net four times in his six matches against the West London club

The head-to-head stats certainly don't make for good reading for Martin Jol's side, who have failed to score in four of their last six league meetings with Spurs and in six of their last seven trips to White Hart Lane.

They should, however, be buoyed by their recent victory 1-0 over Liverpool at Anfield, which made it two wins in three on the road for a club that have been known for their poor form away from home since their return to the top flight.

The absence of 17-goal talisman Clint Dempsey is a major blow, but punters who reckon Fulham can at least hit the back of the net in N17 could do worse than back Pavel Pogrebnyak to score at any time at odds of 9/5.

Goals have dried up for the big Russian in recent weeks after his profilic start to lief in England, but with Spurs' adventurous full-backs Kyle Walker and Danny Rose likely to venture forward at will, Fulham could get some joy in wide areas.

Rose, in particular, has shown a tendency to allow wingers to get their crosses in too easily and if the Cottagers can supply quality deliveries into the box, Pogrebnyak has the aerial prowess to cash in.

But the focus will, understandably, all be on Spurs. Having been fortunate that both Newcastle and Arsenal dropped points last weekend as they were held to 1-1 draw by Aston Villa at Villa Park, Redknapp will stress to his players that they cannot afford to rely on other results going their way once again.

Despite being under pressure for large periods of the game when these two sides battled it out at Craven Cottage earlier in the season, Spurs emerged 3-1 victors and they should have enough in the tank to see off their London neighbours.

Recommended bets:
Emmanuel Adebayor to score at any time @ 17/20
Rafael van der Vaart to score at any time @ 11/10


http://bwinbetting.com/adebayor-van-der-vaart-set-feast-fulham,19500.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Tough game for Tottenham who are aware Martin Jol will do his former club no favours

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp believes Fulham manager Martin Jol will be out to prove a point as his side travel to White Hart Lane today for the final game of the Premier League season.

Jol became a fans favourite at the North London club after guiding Spurs to two consecutive fifth-place finishes, but he was controversially sacked in 2007. The Dutchman has since gone on to have successful spells at Ajax, Hamburg and now Fulham, who have managed to claim 52 points this season- one shy of the club's Premier League record.

Redknapp said: "Jol was the manager here so he will want to return and do well with Fulham of course. He won't want to do us any favours. His side are playing very well at the moment, and as a result it will be a very difficult game for us, but we have to win it."

To finish third Spurs will need to beat Fulham and hope Arsenal drop points against West Brom, while Newcastle have an outside chance of gaining a place in the top four, as they sit only one point behind Spurs ahead of their trip to Goodison Park to face Everton.

Redknapp added: "We can't really think about other games, we have to stay focused and think about ourselves. That will be our approach today. It's basically like a cup final for us. Finishing fourth was the goal when we started the season, and when you look at our squad we should really be finishing in the top four."



http://www.footylatest.com/tough-game-for-tottenham-who-are-aware-martin-jol-will-do-his-former-club-no-favours/28231?

[WhiteJC]

 
Tottenham vs Fulham - Match preview and prediction

Harry Redknapp's side know that all they need to do is win and they are assured of fourth place, and a place in next seasons Champions League will come down to whether Chelsea can beat Bayern next weekend. With Newcastle a point behind in fifth, Tottenham have to better the Magpies result in their final game of the season against Fulham.

Spurs saw a mini-slump threaten to derail their chances of reaching Europe's elite club competition, but three games unbeaten against some of the league's relegation strugglers have put them in prime position. Tottenham can still reach third, and automatic Champions League football if Arsenal do not get a victory away at West Brom, which would be an ideal situation for Redknapp given the chance Chelsea have of stealing the final place in the Champions League should they beat Bayern Munich in this season's final. Spurs had third-place secured before their poor run of form and will be hoping West Brom will send off Roy Hodgson to his new job as England manager by grabbing a win at the Hawthorns.

In last week's draw with Villa, stand-in left back Danny Rose was sent off and is now suspended for the game at White Hart Lane. With Benoit Assou-Ekotto out injured with a shoulder injury, William Gallas may have to deputise at left-back. The defensive line could be further weakened by the knee problem Ledley King is currently suffering with, whilst Scott Parker could be missing from the central midfield with an Achilles injury.

Fulham boss Martin Jol returns to White Hart Lane in good form with just one defeat in their last seven league games. This impressive run-in means that the Cottagers can finish as high as seventh if certain results go their way and they will be keen to end the season on a positive note. On their last away visit, Jol's side beat Liverpool for their fourth away victory of the campaign and will be looking to make it a fifth in this London derby.

One negative aspect for Jol will be the weakening of his attacking line with Clint Dempsey and Bryan Ruiz both ruled out of the trip to North London. Dempsey is struggling with a groin problem and Ruiz has missed the last few games with a foot injury. Another one of Jol's attacking prospects, Moussa Dembele, has been in the headlines over a potential move to Manchester United, but the Fulham boss insists that a bid has not come in for him or the injured Dempsey.

Jol will receive a great welcome from the Spurs fans who still endear him for his achievements with the club, as well as his legendary touchline row with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger in 2006 whilst in charge at the Lane. However, if the Fulham boss stops Tottenham's chances of reaching the Champions League, the affection from the fans may decrease highly. Spurs are in good form and their 12 home wins this season should increase to 13 and put themselves among Europe's best next year.



http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_14875_tottenham-vs-fulham-match-preview-and-prediction.html

[WhiteJC]

 
What? No Bids?

Clint Dempsey might be conspicuous by his absence this afternoon, courtesy of an injury, but ahead of our clash with Spurs, at White Hart Lane, Martin Jol has had a few things to say about his star man.

Jol has re-iterated that he is going nowhere and that all the supposed interest in the free-scoring American hasn`t resulted in a single bid being made, or as Jol puts it,

"Clint will not go because if he does, then I will need 20 goals and that is not easy to find."

"That is what I told Clint ad all the other people around him."

"It is in our own hands, there have been no bids and even if there were, I don`t think we would sell."

"It is hypothetical, there have been no bids for Clint over the last couple of years."

Bu that`s not to say there will not be several flooding in soon!



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=282261#ixzz1ukpYVldF

[WhiteJC]

 
Premier Academy Champions: Match Report
by CHRIS GILBERTSON on MAY 13, 2012

For the second year in a row, Fulham hosted the Premeir Academy League Final at Craven Cottage. Last year's group of talented youngsters that lost to Everton included Kerim Frei and Marcello Trotta, now of the First Team, and current skipper Ronnie Minkwitz, amongst others.

Having been unable to make it last year, with my father, I went along to Craven Cottage to watch this year's final. Fulham were up against a strong Blackburn Rovers side, which had topped the likes of Liverpool and both Manchester clubs to win the Academy League Group C.

As fans of the First XI, the chance to go and watch this talented crop of youngsters was too good to pass up. By charging just £3 for entry, there was a good turnout, with somewhere around 1500 people attending the game. Credit to, for Danny Murphy, who had led the entire First Team Squad in requesting their morning training session be concluded in enough time for them to take their seats in the directors box at Craven Cottage to lend their support.

Motspur Park is fast becoming a production line for good young footballers. There have been six academy debuts in the First Team this season (Frei, Trotta, Etheridge, Kacaniklic, Donegan and Dalle Valle) and with Martin Jol's stated desire to lower the average age of the squad, more can be expected next season. So, with our amateur scouting hats on, we sat down to watch what was a very entertaining match.

Fulham lined up playing 4-3-3, or rather, the 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 hybrid that has been adopted by the first team in recent weeks, with 3 central midfielders and two wide men, who can both sit back as midfielders, and attack as auxiliary forwards depending on the situation. It is intrinsic in successful clubs, that the youth teams play the same formation and football as the senior team. Whilst not quite the tika-taka football that Barcelona teach at their famous La Masia academy, manager Kit Symons has his team playing attractive fast-paced passing football that does not sit out of place with Martin Jol's overall vision for the club.

Both teams started brightly, with highly touted £500,000 January signing, Ryan Williams, miskicking Fulham's best early chance from twelve yards out. The lively Hugo Fernandez had the best of the early chances for Blackburn, but consistently failed to test Connor Roberts in the Fulham goal. Roberts incidentally was on the bench for Everton in last season's final.

An all-international midfield of German, Ronnie Minkwitz, Dane, Lasse Vigen Christiansen and Israeli, Omri Altman, all looked very comfortable of the ball. Minkwitz, skipper of the team, played the Danny Murphy role at the centre of the three, linking play in an almost metronomic manner. Christiansen, playing in the Mahammadou Diarra role, played short and long passes in an intelligent and equal measure. While it was the exciting talent of Altman, playing the Moussa Dembele role of creative midfielder, who looked the most comfortable with the ball at his feet. Indeed, were it not for a good last ditch block, Altman would have scored in the second half.

Following their relegation to the Championship, Blackburn are likely to be considering several of their Under-18s for senior action sooner rather than later. In striker Curtis Haley and midfielder Raheem Hanley, they have two players to keep an eye out for. It was a mark of the fine job done by Fulham's defence though, that these two and the ever-lively Fernandez were consistently kept at bay.

Another January signing, Jack Grimmer, fresh from first team action with Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League, marshalled the defensive line with the experience of a wily veteran. His loud Scottish twang was audible in the stands as he constantly barked orders to right back Alex Brister. Josh Pritchard, playing centre back in the absence of injured Josh Passley, displayed some excellent passing range perhaps indicative of his usual positioning as a right back or midfielder. Irish left back Sean Kavanagh, one of the technically superior players on display, came the closest to opening the scoring in the first half, his deflected free kick ricocheting back of the outside of the post.


Kavanagh hits the post

As the first half expired, left-winger, Buomesca Tue Na Banga, or "Mesca" as he is known, flashed a shot inches wide. It was then he, and right-winger Williams, along with centre forward Cauley Woodrow, who set about making the difference in the second half. Woodrow, who's blond hair and intelligent combative style reminds you of a Pavel Pogrebnyak, looks a fine prospect. When watching young players, work ethic, technique and footballing intelligence are all good indicators of future success, and Woodrow has all three. It was no surprise then, that it was he who opened the scoring after an hour, latching onto a superb low cross from Mesca.

As the match wore on, Mesca and Williams swapped flanks and continued to exude confidence and class, whilst possessing an unflappable willingness to run at defenders. It doesn't matter at what level you're playing, fast, direct running will always scare defenders. Just look at the impact Kerim Frei has had on international players like Johan Djourou and Branislav Ivanovic this season.

Mesca has lightning strapped to his boots, his pace only slightly let down by a need to improve final ball quality. Williams on the other hand looks more polished. A traditional right-winger, he has both the pace and the technical ability to deliver a cross and pass, that alone, will make him a valuable commodity going forward.


Celebrating William's goal

It was Williams, from a delightful Mesca run and cross, that showed the composure to tap home the decisive second goal ten minutes from time. Another Australian, Corey Gameiro, then replaced Woodrow, and was almost immediately rewarded with a goal; only a goal line clearance from Blackburn captain Ryan Edwards denied him.

In the closing stages, Blackburn had midfielder John O'Sullivan sent off for a second bookable offense. A shame as O'Sullivan had been one of the few Blackburn players to stay committed to the end, when others heads had dropped. Indeed, Raheem Hanley was then lucky not to pick up his own second yellow card for a foul worse than O'Sullivan's, but by then, referee Mr Nunn perhaps felt sympathy for the Northerners, who, having lost the FA Youth Cup Final to Chelsea on Wednesday, had endured a torrid week.

As the last few minutes elapsed, Fulham kept the ball, passing well and frustrating the forlorn visitors. Fulham were champions. The final whistle blew and it became official, Fulham were the best Under-18 side in the country and a trophy was coming to the Craven Cottage cabinet.

Jack Grimmer was the first to receive his medal, smiles beaming from nearly everyone inside the stadium. Nobody wore their smile with more pride than Minkwitz; leading your men to victory is the dream, and for Ronnie, it was one that had come to reality.


Champions

To see Fulham lift a trophy is something that we all dream of. When you consider the teams entering the Premier Academy League, and the value clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea, who we beat along the way, place in their youth development systems, this triumph really is one we should be proud of.

When watching youth football, it is normally the case that one or two players stick out from the crowd as being a cut above and ready for the next step. It is a mark of the job that Kit Symons has done, that one to eleven all looked impressive, both as individuals and as a team.

That being said, there are several members of this team that can expect to receive promotion come pre-season and into next year. Despite being perhaps the hardest position to emerge in as a youngster in a man's game, central midfielder Minkwitz looks set to have a good future and learning off Danny Murphy will do him no harm. The same for Woodrow, who I'd send to Russian lessons once a week in order for him to learn directly from Pogrebnyak on the art of leading a forward line.

Wingers Mesca and Willams are both impressive, with Mesca even being handed a squad number this season. Of the two though, I'd wager Williams will be seen first. With Frei and Alex Kacaniklic both playing on the left, Mesca will need to improve his delivery to make serious inroads.

The player that I'd promote first though, is Jack Grimmer. At centre half he belied his age. He is listed as a midfielder and reminds me of Chris Baird. The ability to learn off the likes of Baird, Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland will undoubtedly lead to good things for the Scot, who will one day surely go on to represent his nation's senior team.

Having picked out those five players, I am not serving to refuse promotion to the others. Altman and Christiansen in particular already have quality in abundance. Given the appropriate seasoning and experience, they will one day be lead to senior professional football, I hope, at Fulham.

Yesterday was a proud day for everyone at Fulham Football Club, and special mention to Fulham Deaf FC who also won their league. With several academy products likely to be involved at White Hart Lane this afternoon in the final Premeir League match of the season, the future is most definitely White.

COYWs

Fulham Team: 1. Roberts, 2. Brister, 3. Kavanagh, 4. Christensen (15. Sambou 87 mins), 5. Grimmer, 6. Pritchard, 7. Williams (14. Banya 89 mins), 8. Minkwitz (c), 9. Woodrow (17. Gameiro 82 mins), 10. Altman, 11. Na Bangna
Subs: 14. Banya, 15. Sambou, 16. Tankovic, 17. Gameiro, 18. O'Reilly

Blackburn Team: 1. Dilo, 2. Wylie, 3. Beesley, 4. Hanley, 5. Edwards (c), 6. O'Connell, 7. Cotton (14. Cham 69 mins), 8. Lennahan (15. Boland 45 mins), 9. Haley, 10. O'Sullivan, 11. Fernandez (12. Payne 82 mins)
Subs: 12. Payne, 13. Urwin, 14. Cham, 15. Boland, 16. Mason


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/05/premier-academy-champions-match-report/?

[WhiteJC]

 
THE LEE DIXON COLUMN
TOTTENHAM v FULHAM

The battle for fourth and third spot has been ferocious this season and, as the final day approaches, Lee Dixon selects bets for the game involving two north London clubs...

Whereas Arsenal made a terrible start, Tottenham's problems began towards the end of the campaign. Some observers applauded their spirit in carving out a 1-1 draw against Villa when they were down to ten last weekend. I think they should have won the game. Prior to that, they'd earned two decent away wins to reignite their challenge for Champions League football.

Martin Jol is a nice guy and I'd be surprised if revenge was a factor in his desire for Fulham to beat Spurs. The Cottagers have been victorious in their last two and, following steady progress in their first season under Jol, they could finish seventh. However, Opta remind us that they have a terrible record against Spurs, losing the last four league fixtures between the teams.

I expect a close game with Fulham prepared to be patient and Tottenham struggling to find their rhythm in attack. Emmanuel Adebayor relies on Rafael van der Vaart and Luka Modric to play him in but, if Fulham's industrious midfielders can disrupt the supply, home fans will be keeping a close eye on events at Goodison Park. A frightening stat tells Spurs fans that they have lost three of their last four final day fixtures. As it happens, I think they will have just about enough to edge this one.

Recommended Bet
Back 1-0 @ 9.2


http://www.sportingpreview.com/columns2012/111206117.php?

[WhiteJC]

 
Up next: Tottenham Hotspur (a)
by DAN on MAY 13, 2012



Don't be fooled. This afternoon's trip to Tottenham Hotspur has plenty riding on it. The hosts will want to end their worrying end-of-season wobble and clinch a precious Champions' League spot. Harry Redknapp will want to recover from the obvious shock of being overlooked for the England job by proving he can still do the business at the top level of domestic football. Fulham have a fair bit to play for too. Martin Jol must still be hurting from his cruel dismissal by Daniel Levy and his side have recorded top four form of their own since the turn of the year. Victory at White Hart Lane, something the Whites haven't managed since 2003, could match the club's highest-ever Premier League finish of seventh and help amass Fulham's best ever top flight points total.

It would also ensure that the regulars down at Craven Cottage end a transitional end on a real high. Plenty of doubts abounded about Jol when he came in and promptly dismantled a settled central defensiveness partnership and loosened some of the shackles applied by Roy Hodgson. Regimented discipline was out, a very continental freedom of expression was ushered in. The likes of Moussa Dembele, given freedom to roam from midfield, and Clint Dempsey, who will miss out on the chance to cap a truly exceptional season with another goal due to injury, have flourished. Alistair Mackintosh's most pressing job will be – together with Jol – to convince the dangerous duo that should remain at Fulham.

Younger talents have prospered as well. The emergence of Kerim Frei, with his boundless energy and unstoppable dribbling, and Alex Kacaniklic's promotion to the first-team after a successful loan spell with Watford together with the undoubted potential of Matthew Briggs hint at some young promise prepared to mark its mark at the highest level. We might well see a bit more of them today. Jol's freshening up of a side that sometimes seemed tired and one-paced is ever so welcome. Mixed in with the experience of Schwarzer, Hughes, Hangeland, Senderos (who for all the barbs has enjoyed an excellent fine full first-season in the side), Riise, Murphy and Duff it suggests there are exciting times ahead, especially if Fulham can conclude a permanent deal for the potent Pavel Pogrebnyak.

The chances of recording another away win to rival the recent victory at Liverpool must be slim, however. Spurs, with Aaron Lennon restored to full fitness and Luka Modric pulling the strings for the likes of Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart, have looked irresistible going forward at times this season. The chances of Emmanuel Adebayor signing off with a winner, Jermain Defoe firing a timely reminder to Hodgson or Louis Saha breaking Fulham hearts yet again must be high. Gaining something approach parity in midfield will be crucial and, for that, Jol will once again look to Danny Murphy, still the fulcrum of the Fulham midfield and unquestionably eager to prove a point against one of his old sides this afternoon.

Jol will receive a rapturous reception from the Spurs fans who remember just how close he got them to the Champions' League. Many have said they'd welcome him back with open arms. But their shouldn't be any scepticism about how well the Dutch coach has done at Fulham now. The side might have teetered a little close to the drop zone earlier in the campaign – and the memory of that agonising exit from the Europa League will take some time to fade – but there can be no doubt that his charges are heading in the right direct. Win, lose or draw this afternoon, Fulham will once again finish in the top half of the table – and Jol will have realistic ambitions of guiding them a little higher come August.

MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Schwarzer; Kelly, J.A. Riise, Hughes, Hangeland; Diarra, Murphy; Kacaniklic, Frei, Dembele; Pogrebnyak. Subs: Stockdale, Baird, Senderos, Kasami, Duff, Trotta, Sa.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/05/up-next-tottenham-hotspur-a-3/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Parlour: Dempsey would be a great signing for Arsenal

Ex-Gunner believes the Fulham attacking midfielder would be a superb capture to strengthen their team for next season.



http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/weekend-sports-breakfast/120513/parlour-dempsey-would-be-great-signing-arsenal-171930?

[WhiteJC]

 
TOTTENHAM v FULHAM
BIG MATCH FACTS AND STATS

Fulham had 13 shots on target against Spurs in the reverse fixture this season. That's only the second time they have had that many in the last six seasons, both times v Tottenham.

Fulham have won five and lost just one of their last seven Premier League matches.

Fulham have picked up the most points from London derbies this season (12), but if Spurs win, they will have earned the most in capital clashes (14).

Fulham have failed to score in four of their last six Premier League games against Spurs, including each of the last three at White Hart Lane.

The west Londoners have actually failed to score in six of their last seven Premier League away trips to White Hart Lane.

Tottenham have won five and lost just one of the last 11 league games against Fulham and have won the last four games in a row.

Spurs have lost on the final day in three of the last four seasons.

Nine different Spurs players have received five or more yellow cards this season, more than any other club in the top flight.

The Cottagers are the only PL side yet to be shown a red card this season. Their last dismissal came on the final day of last season against Arsenal.

Clint Dempsey has either scored or assisted 53% of Fulham's league goals this season, only Robin van Persie has a higher ratio (56%).



http://www.sportingpreview.com/football2012-2/11121438.php?

[WhiteJC]

 
TOTTENHAM v FULHAM
TEAM NEWS

Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker is a doubt for this afternoon's Barclays Premier League game against Fulham due to an Achilles injury and Danny Rose is suspended after his red card against Aston Villa last week.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto is out with a shoulder injury, meaning William Gallas could have to play at left-back Ledley King could miss out with his knee problem while long-term absentees Niko Kranjcar, Tom Huddlestone and Michael Dawson are unavailable.

Fulham will be without Clint Dempsey who is struggling with a groin injury while Fulham manager Martin Jol is also without Bryan Ruiz, Dickson Etuhu and Steve Sidwell on his first return to White Hart Lane.

Alex Kacaniklic is also a doubt after dropping out of training on Friday with a hamstring problem.

Tottenham Squad: Friedel, Cudicini, Gomes, Gallas, Khumalo, Walker, Kaboul, King, Nelsen, Livermore, Sandro, Parker, Bale, Lennon, Dos Santos, Modric, Carroll, Kane, Defoe, Adebayor, Saha, Van der Vaart, Lancaster, Luongo.

Fulham Squad: Schwarzer, Stockdale, Kelly, Riise, Hangeland, Hughes, Baird, Briggs, Senderos, Murphy, Duff, Kacaniklic, Kasami, Frei, Pogrebnyak, Dembele, Sa, Johnson.


http://www.sportingpreview.com/football2012-2/11121426.php?