Saturday Fulham Stuff - 16/03/24...

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Who do we need to look out for at the Cottage today? Ben and Rob's preview...
We're off to the famous Cottage for a 5.30pm kick-off in the Premier League today - here's Club commentator Rob Daly and Inside Spurs, The Warm Up and Review Show host Ben Haines' take on Fulham...

Talking tactics with Rob
"Spurs are in a good place - two huge wins after the Wolves disappointment and the way they kept going at Aston Villa showed a ruthlessness. I imagine there's been a positive energy in training this week. On to Craven Cottage, where Spurs lost on penalties with a much-changed side earlier in the season in the Carabao Cup. Fulham have had some great wins recently - beating Manchester United 2-1 away and Brighton 3-0 - both games played without Joao Palhinha, who was suspended. He only came on as a sub against Wolves on his return last time out (a 2-1 defeat) but I anticipate he'll be back in midfield. The Portuguese international was outstanding at Spurs back in October despite the 2-0 defeat. That game was a solid one for Spurs. They forced Calvin Bassey into notable errors playing out from the back for both the Heung-Min Son and James Maddison goals. Spurs have the most high turnovers (288) and it led to chances and a goal against Aston Villa last weekend. You imagine Ange Postecoglou will have his team pressing from the get-go to work early chances (no team has more goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches than Spurs - 14).

Meanwhile, Fulham seem to have found their striker to replace Alexandr Mitrovic - and it's not January signing Armando Broja on loan from Chelsea. I commentated on Fulham's recent win at Old Trafford and was so impressed by Brazilian Rodrigo Muniz. His hold-up play was of the highest level, able to use his strength to keep possession under pressure from Rafael Varane and Harry Maguire. He's an outstanding outlet for them, especially if Spurs apply pressure to Fulham's back four. His five goals in six Premier League games have been ahead of huge boost for them with Raul Jimenez recently having been out injured too. For Spurs - what changes? Brennan Johnson started at Villa and scored - while Timo Werner came on to do the same. It feels like Spurs have real options in attack. Dejan Kulusevski was superb last weekend but it's not impossible Son is flanked by Johnson and Werner. Then at centre-back, Ange Postecoglou said Micky van de Ven was unlikely to be involved on Saturday, so Radu Dragusin, you'd imagine, will come in for a first start. He did well as a sub at Villa and Spurs looked defensively stable last Sunday. A third win in a row - and an eighth successive Premier League win at Fulham - would be huge going in to the international break."

Ben's players to watch
"Fulham were on a tough run but seemed to have turned things around with a win against Bournemouth last month (3-1 win on 10 February), backed that up with a good win at Old Trafford, then beat Brighton 3-0. They also played well in defeat against Villa in there, as well. The big one is Joao Palhinha with everything he provides in the midfield, Alex Iwobi scored the winner at United and seems to be in a good spot. There is another player who I think it would almost be rude not to bring into the equation, Adama Traore, every time we play against him, I'm absolutely petrified of that pace! What a ding-dong that could be, if we get Traore up against Destiny Udogie! On the Spurs side, Rob's right, the pressing at the moment has been sensational. It's something we've highlighted on Inside Spurs this week, and it's leading to goals. If you go back to our win against Fulham earlier in the season, both goals came from the high press, high turnovers and being absolutely ruthless in the final third. I would expect the team to do the same again. So, really important for us that when we get into those positions, our number 10s and strikers are ruthless, and with that in mind, my one to watch is James Maddison. There's another, as well... Radu Dragusin looks likely to play, his first start, a London derby, what a great game to do it in. I thought it was a great appearance off the bench at Villa, really impressed by him."



https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2024/march/who-do-we-need-to-look-out-for-at-the-cottage-ben-haines-and-rob-dalys-preview/

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'Never an easy place to go to' – Harry Redknapp predicts Fulham vs Spurs score
Harry Redknapp has said that Tottenham Hotspur will find things quite difficult at Craven Cottage but backed his former side to narrowly edge out Fulham.

The morale around the Spurs camp will be high after their 4-0 thrashing of Aston Villa at Villa Park in what was arguably their biggest game of the season to date.

That result has meant that Ange Postecoglou's men now have their fate in their own hands as they sit two points behind Villa with a game in hand.

While most would now acknowledge that Tottenham are now favourites to secure fourth position, failure to win at Craven Cottage will undo most of the good work the Lilywhites did in the West Midlands a week ago.

Harry Redknapp predicts a Tottenham win
Redknapp believes that the West London club will make it quite difficult for Spurs but backed the away side to overcome the Cottagers and emerge with all three points.

The 77-year-old told BetVictor: "Fulham lost away at Wolves last week, but I don't think they deserved it. They had plenty of chances and on another day, they'd have scored two or three. This side are in decent form and this game won't be easy for Tottenham.

"What a win that was for Spurs at Aston Villa and they completely deserved it. This side has really found its groove again and now have that fourth spot in their hands. Big Ange has done a superb job this season.

"I don't think Spurs will go to the Cottage and cruise it, it's never an easy place to go to. That being said, with the momentum this side has, I can't see anything but a Spurs win. Precision: Fulham 1-2 Tottenham."

When asked which player is the one to watch out for, Redknapp added: "I could have picked Son Heung-min but I'm going for James Maddison. He opened the scoring last week, got called up for England the other day and I can see him ending the week in style here."

Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Spurs

Spurs Web Opinion
This game is arguably just as big as the Villa game, particularly with the international break coming up. A loss will serve as a major blow and really turn on the pressure heading into the business end of the season while a win will give the players some breathing space in the race for fourth.



https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/never-an-easy-place-to-go-to-harry-redknapp-predicts-fulham-vs-spurs-score/

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Chelsea to pocket £4m this weekend if forgotten star doesn't play
Chelsea will be due a seven-figure payment from Fulham if Armando Broja fails to start against Tottenham this weekend, with the Blues set to bank a cool £4m

Chelsea could be in for a big payday if Armando Broja, a player they loaned out to Fulham in January, doesn't play this weekend. If Broja doesn't start against Tottenham on Saturday, Chelsea will get a cool £4million from their London rivals.

Broja, 22, moved from Stamford Bridge to Craven Cottage during the January transfer window. Despite being chased by several Premier League clubs, he's found it tough to get game time at both Chelsea and now Fulham.

Rodrigo Muniz's excellent form has meant that Broja hasn't started a single match for Fulham yet. But if he stays on the bench this weekend, it'll mean a nice little earner for Chelsea.

The Mirror revealed some of the details of Broja's move earlier this week. Fulham didn't have to pay a loan fee for Broja as long as he started in 60 per cent of their remaining matches.

 Chelsea were happy with this deal, especially after they couldn't find a buyer for Broja, who was valued at £50m in January. The plan was for his time at Fulham to showcase his skills for a summer move, but so far, that hasn't happened.

If Armando Broja doesn't make the starting lineup for Fulham in their game against Tottenham, then they could face a hefty bill from Chelsea. This is due to an agreement they had with the London club which stated that if Broja didn't start a certain number of games, they'd have to pay up.

Despite this, it's uncertain whether he'll be picked to start as Rodrigo Muniz has been doing well recently, scoring five goals in his last six games.

Fulham's head coach, Marco Silva believes in Broja and sees him making an impact this season - even if he has to wait his turn.

Silva said: "He has to wait for his chance. We really believe he is the right guy to be here. He arrived on deadline day before the Burnley game and he had 20 minutes on the pitch but Rodrigo scored and then the game after Rodrigo scored twice."

"Unfortunately for him, last week he was unwell and missed the match but now he is available and I will decide what the best solution will be to start the game. He's working hard at a different club with a different style and he needs time to adapt and understand things. It takes time but we can see his quality."



https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/transfer-news/chelsea-pocket-4m-weekend-forgotten-28831914

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Paul O Keefe shares update on James Maddison after his absence from training ahead of Fulham game
Reliable club insider Paul O'Keefe has shared an update on James Maddison ahead of the Fulham game.

The England international was not seen training with the group which caused concerns among fans regarding his availability.

One fan asked club O'Keefe if he will be fit for the game today, to which he said that Maddison is being managed by the club this week as a precaution which would explain why he was not in the latest training video.

He added that the hope and expectation is that he will play.

Tottenham will be without their star defender Micky van de Ven for this game who picked up an injury last week. Radu Dragusin is set to replace him in the defence.

Meanwhile, Richarlison is expected to be back in the squad but whether he starts or start from the bench remains to be seen.

Ange Postecoglou will aim to continue the form and build on their massive victory over Aston Villa last week.

A win today will see them take the 4th spot from Villa who play West Ham tomorrow.



https://theboyhotspur.com/paul-o-keefe-shares-update-on-james-maddison-ahead-of-fulham-game/

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Ange Postecoglou confirms Tottenham Hotspur's 2024 signing will start vs Fulham
Radu Dragusin set for Premier League debut as Tottenham face Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur's Romanian defender Radu Dragusin is in line to make his first start in Spurs colours in the Premier League as they travel to Fulham on Saturday, following an injury that has ruled out Micky van de Ven.

The North London-based side signed the 22-year-old in a £26.7m (€31m) deal from Italian side Genoa following a late attempt from Bayern Munich to hijack a move to Allianz Arena. His limited opportunities have been owing to the impeccable partnership that Christian Romero and Micky van de Ven have created at the club.
Tottenham Hotspur's Radu Dragusin compared to Giorgio Chiellini

Although with the Dutch star injured, Radu might have an opportunity to prove his credentials with his first start since moving to the Lilywhites.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed to the reporters in his pre-match conference that Radu is going to start for Spurs against Fulham:

"I'll take the suspense out of it. He'll start tomorrow. He's had to be patient for his opportunity with Micky and Cristian (Romero) being outstanding and one game a week. I thought he did well with his opportunity. I think he can bring us something different."

While Tottenham fans rejoice in an opportunity to watch Radu lining up in Tottenham colours for the first time from the tunnel, they also will shed a few sweats about Micky van de Ven's injury. It is believed that the former Wolfsburg defender's injury is not as serious as his previous hamstring injury which was initially feared.



https://tothelaneandback.com/2024/03/16/ange-postecoglou-confirms-tottenham-hotspurs-2024-signing-will-start-vs-fulham/?utm_content=cmp-true

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Ange could boldly drop Spurs' "special" 8/10 star for Werner
Ange Postecoglou might be inclined to make a small tweak after thumping Aston Villa 4-0 last weekend.

If Tottenham Hotspur win at Fulham this evening, they will reclaim a place in the top four, albeit, should Aston Villa win at home to West Ham United a day later that fourth-placed grab will be fleeting for Ange Postecoglou's side.

But such frivolities do not matter at this stage, not even with next week commencing the final ten-match stretch of Spurs' campaign.

What matters is that Tottenham are firing into form ahead of the business end, rekindling the fluency and fire that was at the club's core of the impressive early-season efforts.

Tottenham also have a game in hand on Villa, who they defeated 4-0 last weekend, and while James Maddison, Brennan Johnson and captain Heung-min Son enjoyed the standout showings, Timo Werner's goalscoring cameo calls for his return to the starting line-up.

Timo Werner's Spurs career so far
Werner moved to Tottenham on loan from RB Leipzig in January, with a £15m buy option inserted in the deal, and he has impressed so far, scoring two goals and supplying two assists from seven Premier League matches, starting five of those.

Lightning-quick and an adept dribbler, the 28-year-old has opened up a new dimension to Postecoglou's attack and has left Tottenham with options despite the recent knee injury suffered by Richarlison, with Son slotting in at centre-forward.

Benched last time out, Werner entered the fray late on and fired a satisfying late strike to make it goals in consecutive matches.

Given that Son will be starring up top at Craven Cottage on Saturday, it might be worth recalling Werner to the starting line-up on the left flank.

That would mean that the mercurial Johnson would need to move, and while Dejan Kulusevski occupies the right side of the Spurs attack, Postecoglou might be inclined to boldly ditch the Sweden international and flank his team with fleet-footed dynamism.

Why Dejan Kulusevski could be dropped
Kulusevski is one of the most underrated attacking midfielders in English football and is so important for Tottenham, with Sky Sports' Jamie Weir among those to gush over his qualities.

The reporter said: "Dejan Kulusevski really is a special special player. Works so hard, covers every blade of grass. Hell of an engine on him, and just so much heart."

This season in the Premier League, the 23-year-old has posted six goals and three assists from 24 starts, completing 82% of his passes and averaging 2.1 key passes, 1.8 tackles, 4.0 ball recoveries and 1.6 dribbles per game, as per Sofascore, only benched once all term.

So why would it be worth benching him against Fulham? Well, Kulusevski endured an ineffectual opening at Villa Park one week ago, with football.london's Alasdair Gold heralding his second-half display after a 'poor' start, ultimately handing him an 8/10 score.

Werner must start on the left, allowing Johnson to feature from the right and continue his prolific run of form, with the shifting of the system not a bad move to keep things fresh either.

Kulusevski did win just three of his 11 contested duels against Aston Villa, and while he is unquestionably a talented player, Johnson has been in sublime form of late and the Welshman can't really do much more to warrant a start.

Spurs' 'engine' could also be welcomed after the break if need be, with his skills certainly fit to supercharge his team if an extra hand is needed in the latter phase of the fixture.



https://www.footballfancast.com/spurs-could-boldly-drop-dejan-kulusevski-for-werner-vs-fulham/

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Ange Postecoglou gives deflating injury update on Tottenham star as Fulham return looks impossible
Ange Postecoglou provides a worrying injury update on Tottenham winger Manor Solomon

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has provided an update on the injury status of Manor Solomon, shedding light on the challenges the 24-year-old left-winger has faced since sustaining a Meniscus injury earlier this season.

Solomon, who arrived at Tottenham from Fulham, has encountered setbacks that have limited his playing time to just six appearances for the club.

This persistent challenge highlights the complexity of Solomon's injury and the need for patience in his rehabilitation process.

Here is what Postecoglou had to say about Solomon's situation via Football London:

    "Yeah, no real progress. He's still in that position of not being really comfortable where he's at. So we'll give him the time he needs to be in the place where he can recover. The medical team is looking at some other strategies now."

In response to Solomon's ongoing struggles, Tottenham's medical team is exploring alternative strategies to facilitate his recovery. It is a reflection of the club's commitment to supporting Solomon and ensuring that all possible avenues for improvement are explored.

By seeking innovative solutions, the medical team aims to provide Solomon with the best possible chance of overcoming his injury setback and returning to full fitness.

The lack of substantial progress may be concerning for both Solomon and the club, as it prolongs his absence from the pitch and delays his contribution to the team. However, it is essential to prioritize Solomon's long-term well-being and ensure that he receives the necessary time and support to fully recover. Rushing his return could aggravate his injury or lead to further complications, jeopardising his future participation.



https://tothelaneandback.com/2024/03/16/ange-postecoglou-provides-a-worrying-injury-update-on-tottenham-winger-manor-solomon-latest-news/

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Tottenham Hotspur aiming to achieve club-record winning run against Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur will endeavour to achieve a club-record winning run when they clash with London rivals Fulham in Saturday's Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.

Barring a second-round EFL Cup exit to the Cottagers on penalties earlier this season, which was Ange Postecoglou's first loss in the Spurs hotseat, the Lilywhites have had Fulham's number in recent top-flight fixtures.

Tottenham avenged that knockout disappointment with a 2-0 triumph on home soil in late October, which marked their fourth successive top-flight triumph over Marco Silva's side.

During the last few months of Antonio Conte's reign, the Lilywhites also edged their capital counterparts 1-0 at Craven Cottage, where they have enjoyed tremendous success in recent years.

Each of Tottenham's last seven Premier League away matches with Fulham has seen the North London crop emerge triumphant, and not since Boxing Day 2009 have they failed to win a top-flight match at Craven Cottage.

Should Spurs come up trumps in Saturday evening's affair, it would mark the first time in the club's history that they have won eight consecutive away league matches against a single opponent.

The Lilywhites have more than one incentive to prevail at Craven Cottage, as victory would also see Postecoglou's men rise into the top four of the Premier League table over Aston Villa.

Thanks to their 4-0 crushing of the Lions last week, Postecoglou's side are now only two points behind Unai Emery's troops, who have played a game more and do not return to action until they play West Ham United on Sunday.

Postecoglou's men have not won back-to-back Premier League wins on the road since October, but they arrive on Fulham's turf having scored at least twice in each of their last six top-flight games on rival territory.

Meanwhile, Silva's side enter the weekend languishing in 12th in the table following last weekend's 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers, but they had won three of their previous four before that, and Postecoglou is taking nothing for granted against the Cottagers.

Asked what sort of contest he expected against their hosts in his pre-game press conference, the Australian responded: "A tough one, particularly there at Craven Cottage.

"And Marco whatever team he has has them well organised, and he's got them scoring some goals recently. Their front three are a threat for sure so there are some obvious strengths there.

"But no different to last week for us. We have to play to our capabilities, but if we do and have that same sort of focus on our football then we're going to be hard to stop."

Tottenham will be without Ryan Sessegnon, Fraser Forster, Manor Solomon and Micky van de Ven for the London derby, and the latter's absence means that Radu Dragusin will come in for his first Premier League start.

However, Richarlison - who has never scored a Premier League goal against Fulham - has a good chance of being involved after recovering from a knee injury.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/spurs/top-four-race/news/tottenham-aiming-to-achieve-club-record-winning-run-against-fulham_539143.html?newsnow

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Report: Major Contract Offer from Fulham to Star Player

Fulham's Bold Move to Keep Tosin Adarabioyo Amidst Elite European Interest
In the competitive cauldron of Premier League football, securing the loyalty of standout players is a perennial challenge. Fulham Football Club, aware of the stakes, has made a decisive move to retain the services of defender Tosin Adarabioyo. With his contract expiring this summer and notable interest from clubs across Europe, the London side are preparing a new contract offer that could place Adarabioyo among the top earners at the club, according to the Daily Mail.

Tosin Adarabioyo: A Defender in Demand
"The centre-back's current deal runs out this summer and he has been free to talk to foreign clubs since January. He has attracted a number of enquiries with the likes of AC Milan and Marseille keen while Liverpool have also checked on his progress," the Daily Mail reports. This widespread interest is a testament to Adarabioyo's growing reputation in European football circles.

Fulham's Strategy for Success
Fulham's intent is clear: to secure Adarabioyo's allegiance with a contract that reflects his importance to the team. This approach is not just about financial rewards; it's an acknowledgment of his contribution and potential. Manager Marco Silva's praise, "He is a really important player for us inside the football club," underscores the club's high regard for the defender.

Adarabioyo's Impact and Future Prospects
At 26, Adarabioyo has demonstrated resilience and skill, making him a crucial part of Fulham's defensive lineup. His performances have not only caught the eye of top clubs but have also put him on England manager Gareth Southgate's radar. Despite being sidelined by injury for part of the season, Adarabioyo's stats remain impressive, especially when compared to other leading English centre-backs.

A Crucial Decision Ahead
As Fulham and Tosin Adarabioyo weigh their futures, the coming weeks will reveal much about the direction of both the player's career and the club's ambitions. Fulham's proactive approach in offering a competitive contract highlights their commitment to building a strong, cohesive team capable of competing at the highest levels.

Statistical Analysis by EPL Index: Unveiling Tosin Adarabioyo's Impact
Crunching Numbers: Adarabioyo's Defensive Prowess
Fbref's latest scouting report on Tosin Adarabioyo gives us a wealth of data, a numeric testament to the Fulham defender's capabilities. A peek at his performance stats and one understands the rationale behind Fulham's eagerness to table a new deal. Amidst the tangle of figures, Adarabioyo's aerial prowess stands tall. Winning 93% of aerial duels places him in the elite ranks, outshining many of his peers.

His defensive work – quantified by clearances, blocks, and interceptions – solidifies his standing as a guardian in Fulham's rearguard. While his percentile for blocks may seem modest, this mirrors a defender who is more about positioning than last-ditch heroics. Clearances at 97% underscore a keen sense of danger, a defender who relishes the aerial battles and thrives in them.

Offensive Contributions Highlighted
Not just a defensive stalwart, Adarabioyo's contributions to Fulham's forward thrust are equally impressive. His shots total boasts a percentile of 94, indicating an ability to pose a threat during set-pieces. Moreover, the combination of non-penalty xG (expected goals) and assists reveals a player capable of impacting the game beyond his primary defensive duties.

Synthesis of Stats and Style
In an era where data is king, Fbref's visualisation offers a holistic view of Adarabioyo's style. Progressive passes and carries indicate a modern centre-back comfortable with the ball at his feet, capable of initiating attacks as well as thwarting them. It's no surprise that top-tier clubs are circling, their interest piqued by the blend of traditional defensive strength and modern ball-playing prowess.



https://eplindex.com/107106/report-major-contract-offer-from-fulham-to-star-player.html

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[kiwian]

Fulham vs Tottenham: Preview and Prediction

Fulham host Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend and they will be looking to bounce back from the defeat against Wolves with a positive result at home.
Fulham are 12th in the league table right now and they will be pushing for a top-half finish. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur picked up an impressive win over Aston Villa in their last league game and they will look to close the gap with the top four.

They are currently two points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa and a win here could send them above the West Midlands club in the table.

Tottenham will be desperate for a Champions League finish and they will look to grind out an away win here.

The North London outfit have an impressive record against Fulham and it remains to be seen whether they can extend that run of form.

Team news and tactics
Fulham
The home team have a fully fit squad to choose from and they are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Bernd Leno will start in goal for Fulham behind a back four of Timothy Castagne, Tosin Adarabioyo, Calvin Bassey and Antonee Robinson. Castagne and Robinson will be deployed as the full backs and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch.

In the midfield pivot, Joao Palhinha will start alongside Tom Cairney. The two players will look to protect the central defence and break up opposition attacks.

Andreas Pereira will be deployed as the attacking midfielder here and he will look to create goal scoring opportunities for his teammates in the final third. Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi will be deployed in the wide areas.

Rodrigo Muniz has done quite well in recent weeks and he will lead the line for Fulham here.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Adarabioyo, Bassey, Robinson; Palhinha, Cairney; Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz

Tottenham
Ryan Sessegnon has been ruled out for the season with the thigh injury, the likes of Manor Solomon and Micky van de Ven will return later this month from their knee and thigh injuries respectively.

Fraser Forster is expected back next month after sustaining an ankle injury in training.

Spurs will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Guglielmo Vicario in goal.

Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie will continue as the full backs. They will look to keep the defence compact and help out in the attack.

Cristian Romero will start alongside January signing Radu Dragusin in central defence. In the midfield pivot, Pape Matar Sarr will start alongside Yves Bissouma. The two players will look to breakup opposition attacks and initiate transitions from the deep.

James Maddison will continue as the central attacking midfielder and he will look to link up with the attacker and create goal scoring opportunities in the final third.

Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson will start in the wide areas. The two players will look to add pace and creativity from the flanks.

Son Heung-min will lead the line for Tottenham.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson; Son

Key Stats


    Tottenham have won 9 of their last 11 matches against Fulham in all competitions.
    Tottenham are unbeaten in five of the last six Premier League matches.
    Fulham are unbeaten in four of the last six Premier League matches.
    11 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between the two teams.
    Fulham have conceded at least once in five of the last six matches across all competitions.

Key Player
Son Heung-min
The South Korean international has scored 14 goals and picked up 8 assists in the Premier League this season.

He managed to score against Aston Villa in the last game and he picked up two assists as well. The South Korean is in red hot form and he is our key player to watch out for.

Apart from his ability to score goals, Son will chip in with creativity and flair in the final third as well.

The 31-year-old will look to make a big difference in the final third and take advantage of Fulham's vulnerabilities.

Prediction
Fulham 1-2 Tottenham
Both teams will be desperate for a win for very different reasons and this is likely to be a cracking context.

Tottenham are certainly the better team on paper and they should be able to grind out a positive result here.

They have the better set of attackers and Fulham will struggle to contain them. A narrow away win is on the cards.



https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2024/03/15/fulham-vs-tottenham-preview-and-prediction/

Muniz has done

Fulham vs Tottenham: Preview and Prediction

Fulham host Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend and they will be looking to bounce back from the defeat against Wolves with a positive result at home.
Fulham are 12th in the league table right now and they will be pushing for a top-half finish. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur picked up an impressive win over Aston Villa in their last league game and they will look to close the gap with the top four.

They are currently two points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa and a win here could send them above the West Midlands club in the table.

Tottenham will be desperate for a Champions League finish and they will look to grind out an away win here.

The North London outfit have an impressive record against Fulham and it remains to be seen whether they can extend that run of form.

Team news and tactics
Fulham
The home team have a fully fit squad to choose from and they are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Bernd Leno will start in goal for Fulham behind a back four of Timothy Castagne, Tosin Adarabioyo, Calvin Bassey and Antonee Robinson. Castagne and Robinson will be deployed as the full backs and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch.

In the midfield pivot, Joao Palhinha will start alongside Tom Cairney. The two players will look to protect the central defence and break up opposition attacks.

Andreas Pereira will be deployed as the attacking midfielder here and he will look to create goal scoring opportunities for his teammates in the final third. Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi will be deployed in the wide areas.

Rodrigo Muniz has done quite well in recent weeks and he will lead the line for Fulham here.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Adarabioyo, Bassey, Robinson; Palhinha, Cairney; Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz

Tottenham
Ryan Sessegnon has been ruled out for the season with the thigh injury, the likes of Manor Solomon and Micky van de Ven will return later this month from their knee and thigh injuries respectively.

Fraser Forster is expected back next month after sustaining an ankle injury in training.

Spurs will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Guglielmo Vicario in goal.

Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie will continue as the full backs. They will look to keep the defence compact and help out in the attack.

Cristian Romero will start alongside January signing Radu Dragusin in central defence. In the midfield pivot, Pape Matar Sarr will start alongside Yves Bissouma. The two players will look to breakup opposition attacks and initiate transitions from the deep.

James Maddison will continue as the central attacking midfielder and he will look to link up with the attacker and create goal scoring opportunities in the final third.

Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson will start in the wide areas. The two players will look to add pace and creativity from the flanks.

Son Heung-min will lead the line for Tottenham.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson; Son

Key Stats


    Tottenham have won 9 of their last 11 matches against Fulham in all competitions.
    Tottenham are unbeaten in five of the last six Premier League matches.
    Fulham are unbeaten in four of the last six Premier League matches.
    11 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between the two teams.
    Fulham have conceded at least once in five of the last six matches across all competitions.

Key Player
Son Heung-min
The South Korean international has scored 14 goals and picked up 8 assists in the Premier League this season.

He managed to score against Aston Villa in the last game and he picked up two assists as well. The South Korean is in red hot form and he is our key player to watch out for.

Apart from his ability to score goals, Son will chip in with creativity and flair in the final third as well.

The 31-year-old will look to make a big difference in the final third and take advantage of Fulham's vulnerabilities.

Prediction
Fulham 1-2 Tottenham
Both teams will be desperate for a win for very different reasons and this is likely to be a cracking context.

Tottenham are certainly the better team on paper and they should be able to grind out a positive result here.

They have the better set of attackers and Fulham will struggle to contain them. A narrow away win is on the cards.



https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2024/03/15/fulham-vs-tottenham-preview-and-prediction/

Muniz has done quite well recently, the understatement of the season!