Saturday Fulham Stuff - 12/02/22...

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'Nightmare opposition' – Sky Sports pundit David Prutton predicts Hull City vs Fulham
Hull City host Fulham in the Championship this weekend, and Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has predicted a comfortable 2-0 win to Fulham in his weekly column.

Hull City enter this tie in 19th place and have suffered back-to-back defeats under new manager Shota Arveladze to Derby County and Preston North End after winning his first game in charge with a scoreline of 2-0 against Swansea City.

Their opponents, Fulham, mean business in the Championship this season as they sit six points clear of 2nd placed Bournemouth at the top of the table. The Whites returned to winning ways in midweek following their draw to Blackpool, comfortably seeing off Millwall with a 3-0 win at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night.

With both clubs at different ends of the table, this is a massive game for each side as they look to reach their own expectations.

Ahead of the game, Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has made his prediction, opting for a comfortable 2-0 win for Marco Silva's side.

"Hull have suffered back-to-back defeats now under new boss Shota Arveladze, and it doesn't take long for questions to start to be asked in this league. It is nightmare opposition at this stage, too.

"Fulham returned to winning ways in midweek as they comfortably dispatched Millwall. They are six points clear at the top and Aleksandar Mitrovic is just performing ridiculous goalscoring feats. All signs point to an away win."

Both sides will be eager for a win. Hull City will be looking to extend the gap between themselves and the drop to avoid any late-season dramas, while Fulham will want to do the same but instead confirm promotion to the Premier League early doors.

Thoughts?

Although the Championship can be full of surprises, it is easy to predict a win to the away side.

Silva's Fulham have scored 77 goals this season, 30 more than the next highest-scoring team in the division, and have 51 goal difference, 29 more than the next highest.

Anything other than an away win will be a big surprise.



https://the72.co.uk/262660/nightmare-opposition-sky-sports-pundit-david-prutton-predicts-hull-city-vs-fulham/

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Join Us Early for Fulham!

Hull City host Fulham at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, and we have plenty to keep those arriving early entertained ahead of kick-off!

    Fast Feet Activity outside the West Stand Reception
    Table Football in the East Stand
    Football Pool in the South Stand
    Face Painters and Balloon Artists
    FIFA in the South Stand Concourse
    Hull City Sesh with Jessika Mae
    Free Fruit
    Street Food in the East and South Stand Concourses
    Turnstiles Open at 1.30pm

As always, club mascots Roary and Amber will be roaming around the stadium ahead of the turnstiles opening and no doubt taking part in our matchday activities.

Accomplished vocalist Jessika Mae will take to the Hull City Sesh Stage on the East Stand concourse to play a live set from approximately 1.55pm - 2.35pm.

If you love playing your mates at FIFA, then you can put your skills to the test courtesy of GAME Hull on the South East concourse, and you can also have a go at our popular fast feet game outside the West Stand.

The Dugout Bar in the South Stand is open exclusively to Members from 12.30pm until 2.45pm and reopens after the game.

Members are also reminded they can use their TeamCard points to purchase food and drink from the concourse concessions. Please note that the MKM Stadium concourses are cashless.

A reminder that 'Plan B' Covid-19 safety regulations that were in place at the MKM Stadium have now been removed. This includes no longer needing to show your NHS Covid Pass at the MKM Stadium for entry. You can find out everything you need to know about the measures being eased by clicking here.

Hull City would like to remind all supporters that it is not permitted to enter the field of play before, during or after the game. It is our responsibility to ensure the MKM Stadium remains a safe environment for supporters, players, and officials.

If you want to see the Tigers take on Fulham, then you are still able to purchase tickets online, in-person from Tiger Leisure at the MKM Stadium, or by calling our Sales Centre on 01482 505600.



https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2022/february/join-us-early-for-fulham/

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Okkas confident ahead of City quarter final

Fulham under 18s midfielder George Okkas insists the young Whites are confident of getting a result against Manchester City in their Premier League Cup quarter final clash at Motspur Park this afternoon.

City have lifted back to back cups and won the national youth league twice in a row, defeating Fulham in last year's national final. They head to the capital in fine form having thrashed Blackburn and Leeds to build an six point cushion at the top of the north division. Facing Ben Wilkinson's side is a formidable prospect, but Okkas told FFCTV that Alli Melloul's boys are ready for the challenge after a strong week in training.

"Preparation has been good. The boys are working really, really hard. Everyone is really looking forward to the game. We are working on some things we need to do in possession and out of possession. I really hope and truly believe if we put those things into the game on Saturday, we will win the game."

The Cyprus under-19 international believes Fulham can take great confidence from an excellent derby win over Chelsea last weekend – when the young Whites totally dominated their local rivals at Cobham.

"The game against Chelsea was really good for us. It was a great 2-0 win away from home. It came after a couple of games that we struggled, we were getting draws or getting beat. It was good to get a win and it will give us confidence for the City game on Saturday."

He is adamant about the size of the task facing Fulham this afternoon, but feels the hosts will be able to trouble their opponents in the final third.

"Obviously, City everyone knows is one of the biggest clubs in the world. We will expect a lot of quality. They will be very good on the ball. I think they will create a lot of chances so we will need to be mentally strong. I believe if the weather the storm in the first few minutes we can definitely score a couple of goals. It's going to be a tough game but we are ready for it."

The teenager is delighted to have become a regular fixture in the Fulham midfield and wants to continue improving after an impressive twelve months.

"I've worked really hard from last year to this year to earn my spot in the starting eleven with the new coach. It is always nice to play in these big games – it is fantastic I can play. I thank the coaching staff for helping me develop me into the player I am today and to play in these moments – it is a dream for a player like me coming from Cyprus, it is amazing."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/02/okkas-confident-ahead-of-city-quarter-final/

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Matchday in feature: Hull City v Fulham

The Sky Bet Championship takes centre stage once again this weekend as Hull City prepare for the visit of Fulham.

The Tigers will be looking to bounce back whilst the Cottagers are hoping to add to their impressive points haul in this weekend's featured EFL clash.

📅 Match details

Kick-off at the MKM Stadium is 15:00 on Saturday 12 February as the Tigers welcome the League leaders to East Yorkshire.

Match officials have been appointed as referee Andy Woolmer, assistant officials James Wilson and Mark Dwyer, and fourth official Jeremy Simpson.

👔 At the helm

Former Rangers and Ajax attacker Shota Arveladze was appointed as Hull City's new head coach at the end of January, joining the Tigers on a two-and-a-half-year contract, following management spells in Turkey, Israel and Uzbekistan.

The ex-Georgian international goes down as the country's all-time top scorer, having spent almost two decades plying his trade before hanging up his boots and taking up an assistant coaching role alongside Louis van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar. His arrival in East Yorkshire marks his first spell in the EFL.

January's Championship Manager of the Month Marco Silva has already built on an impressive month for the table topping Cottagers, who appear to be on course for an immediate top-flight return in their current streak of form.

Under the Portuguese - who briefly managed the Tigers in 2017 - Fulham's stay in the second-tier could be a short one, establishing themselves as title contenders and continuing to put distance between the West Londoners and the Play-Off places.

🔑 Key man

Tigers midfielder George Honeyman has been a fans favourite since his arrival at the MKM Stadium in the summer of 2019, and since his return from injury in mid-September, the playmaker old has stood out as one of Hull's most valuable players this season.

With five goals in 19 appearances and counting this term, last year's Player of the Season notched the first goal to herald a new era for the Club, scoring in a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in January.

The first player in Championship history to hit 30 goals in a single season, it's no surprise that the Cottagers are the League's top scorers with Aleksandar Mitrović leading the line. A midweek brace against Millwall saw the Serbian reach the milestone, taking Fulham's tally to 77 strikes across the course of the season.

📈 Form guide

Life under new boss Arveladze got off to a positive start, with the Georgian coming in as a replacement for former manager Grant McCann, securing his first win against Swansea City just a day later, making it three wins on the spin for Hull City.

However, the 19th-placed Tigers will be looking to register their first win of the month, having suffered back-to-back defeats to Preston North End and Derby County in midweek to kick off February.

Occupying pole position in the second-tier standings, Fulham opened up a six-point gap between themselves and the Cherries at the summit. The Cottagers are six unbeaten in the League, taking 16 points from a possible 18, whilst the West Londoners are also undefeated since mid-October on their travels coming into the clash.

And Silva's side will be buoyed by a midweek triumph over cross-city rivals Millwall. The Cottagers breezed past the Lions in a 3-0 victory on Tuesday evening.

     The last five
Hull City    
✅✅✅❌❌
Fulham    
✅✅✅🤝✅



https://www.efl.com/news/2022/february/matchday-in-feature-hull-city-v-fulham/

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Fulham team news and predicted XI to face Hull City

Fulham travel to Hull City in the Championship this afternoon.

Fulham make the trip to the Humber to face a Hull City side who've proved unpredictable this season.

Under Grant McCann, the Tigers were fending off some of the Championship's top sides to climb out of the bottom three, but since the arrival of new manager Shota Arveladze they've been inconsistent.

Fulham meanwhile remain top of the Championship table. Marco Silva's side have a six-point lead over 2nd place Bournemouth and haven't lost in six Championship outings.

Fulham team news

Silva looks to have a near fully-fit squad to choose from this afternoon.

Terence Kongolo remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury but fellow Dutchman Kenny Tete returned to training this week, though he's not expected to pay a part in today's match.
Predicted XI

Rodak (GK)

Robinson

Ream

Adarabioyo

Williams

Chalobah

Kebano

Carvalho

Cairney

Wilson

Mitrovic

Fulham have so many talented players in their side this season. Silva really does have arguably the best arsenal in the league, particularly in terms of attacking players, and that showed in their 3-0 win over Millwall last time out.

Expect an unchanged side today. But should Silva fancy some rotation then the likes of Harrison Reed could come into the line up for say, Nathaniel Chalobah, with Bobby Reid also an option on the bench.

Today's game kicks off at 3pm at the MKM Stadium.



https://the72.co.uk/262686/fulham-team-news-and-predicted-xi-to-face-hull-city/

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Hull City's predicted starting XI to face Premier League hopefuls Fulham

The Tigers will hope to cause an upset when Marco Silva returns to the MKM Stadium this weekend

Shota Arveladze is likely to make changes to his Hull City side for Saturday's meeting with table-topping Fulham.

The new City boss made four changes at Derby County in midweek in a move which backfired massively for the Georgian, as his side were swept comfortably aside by the Championship strugglers.

Di'Shon Bernard, skipper Richie Smallwood, Ryan Longman and Tom Eaves were all dropped to bench at Pride Park, and City's imbalance and worrying lack of cohesion showed.

Games for Arveladze are coming thick and fast, and with a trio of games against promotion-chasing teams in the next week, it's likely he will revert to a more familiar set-up.

Smallwood will almost certainly return to the holding midfield role at the expense of new signing Liam Walsh, who struggled badly on his debut in midweek, while Marcus Forss struggled after a bright start.

Striker Eaves, meanwhile, made a significant contribution to City's three-game winning run and his introduction against Derby made a difference, so much so, it was a point raised by Wayne Rooney after the game.

If City are to have any hope of getting anything from Marco Silva's Whites, then having Eaves up front to provide a physical presence couple with ability to hold the ball up, you feel, is vital.

Another issue facing Arveladze is the ease at which Derby were able to find space in behind the returning Lewie Coyle and Brandon Fleming, and it's something which must be remedied otherwise Fulham may well find those weaknesses hard not to exploit - one option he may look at is a recall for Callum Elder for the first time in his tenure.

The predicted starting XI to face Fulham: Ingram, Elder, Greaves, McLoughlin, Jones, Smallwood, Longman, Lewis-Potter, Eaves, Honeyman, Docherty.



https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hull-city-predicted-xi-fulham-6637607

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Fabio Carvalho: Mills digs at Liverpool after update from Spain on 'real player'

Fabio Carvalho will now have "untold options" after the breakdown of his Liverpool move, according to Danny Mills.

The former England defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Reds "may well rue" not finalising a January swoop for the 19-year-old.

A recruitment source told this site last Saturday (5 February) that Liverpool have agreed to re-enter negotiations with Fulham over a deal for Carvalho and the latest from the source today is that those talks should take place this month.

However, Marca report (5 February) that Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested in signing the winger, who has entered the final six months of his contract at Craven Cottage.

Mills lauded Carvalho, who opened the scoring in Fulham's 4-1 FA Cup loss against Man City last Saturday, insisting the youngster "looks a real player".

"They were in a good position last month," he told Football Insider's Connor Whitley.

"But why they failed to get that deal done during the January window – I do not know. He looks a real player.

"I watched him and I thought he looked really good against Manchester City in the FA Cup. He will now have untold options about where he wants to go next.

"Liverpool may well rue the fact that they didn't get that deal over the line.

"They'll be far more competition for his signature come the end of the season. He's really putting himself on the radar."

Carvalho has netted eight goals and contributed six assists in just 18 Fulham starts this season.

The Portugal-born talent is capped at under-18 level by England.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/fabio-carvalho-mills-digs-at-liverpool-after-update-from-spain-on-real-player/

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Latest: Early Fulham team news ahead of Hull clash

Fulham will be looking to strengthen their lead at the top of the Championship table on Saturday afternoon, when they travel to the MKM Stadium to face Hull City.

The Cottagers go into the game six points clear of second placed Bournemouth, and perhaps more importantly, eight clear of the play-offs in the current table.

That comes after a run of five wins in their last six league games, something they will of course be looking to extend further here.

For their part, Hull have lost their last two outings to Preston and Derby, bringing an end to the three-game winning run that coincided with confirmation of the club's takeover by Acun Ilicali.

But while the Tigers are 19th in the standings, they do seem relatively comfortable in the battle to avoid relegation, sitting 12 points clear of the bottom three.

Even so, this is another game Fulham will be targeting, as they continue their pursuit of a swift return to the Premier League this season.

In terms of team news, it appears there are no fresh injury concerns for Marco Silva's side, who should therefore be able to name a strong lineup for Saturday's game.

One player who remains absent for Fulham is Kenny Tete, with this match coming to early for the Dutchman, who has returned to training this week as he continues his recovery from a groin injury.

As a result, January loan signing from Liverpool, Neco Williams, could once again start on the right hand side of defence for Fulham is this one, having made his debut for the club in the 3-0 win over Millwall last time out.

Fulham will be hoping to make it three straights wins over Hull with victory here, with goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Fabio Carvalho giving them a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture back in August.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/latest-early-fulham-team-news-ahead-of-hull-clash/

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George Honeyman makes Shota Arveladze admission as Hull City prepare for Fulham clash

George Honeyman has admitted that it will take time for him and his Hull City teammates to adapt to Shota Arveladze's way of operating, during a conversation with Hull Live.

The influential midfielder has emerged as a key figure for the Tigers this season, netting five times and providing two assists in 19 Championship outings.

His importance has been felt outside the goal contributions department, with Honeyman chipping in with consistently strong performances when available.

The club parted company with Grant McCann almost immediately after Acun Ilicali completed his takeover of the club, before appointing the Georgian boss.

Speaking to Hull Live about Arveladze, Honeyman said: "We're trying to get used to the new manager's methods, his way of doing things and that's going to take a little bit of time.

"We can't use that as an excuse, we've been here a while – myself and others – and we've got to pull everyone in and keep the foundation of what's made us successful, and implement those bits that the new manager wants that will make us better in the long run.

"We've got to get back to basics, get our team shape, our compactness back especially for the game (against Fulham).

"We have to adapt to what the manager wants and his methods, but we've got games thick and fast.

"We've got to take it upon ourselves to get back to our foundations and everything that's made us successful. We will learn from it, and going forward we'll be much improved."

Going into their clash with league leaders Fulham on Saturday afternoon, Hull sit 19th in the Championship table, 12 points clear of the relegation zone.

The Verdict

Hull have shown in glimpses that they have the quality to really kick on during this Championship campaign, with the future looking bright, should they secure their second-tier status for another year.

Of course, it will take Arveladze a while to get his ideas across, however, he has seen a lot of success in his last two positions and it will be no surprise to see him progress the Tigers in the weeks to come.

Grant McCann's dismissal did come at a strange time, however, Ilicali has evidently come with a vision and Arveladze is seemingly the centrepiece.

Today, they are faced with the most daunting task in the EFL in coming up against Fulham, but the Tigers have more than enough quality and character to cause the Cottagers problems.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/george-honeyman-makes-shota-arveladze-admission-as-hull-city-prepare-for-fulham-clash/

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