Allen Hamilton
What: English Premier League
Who: Fulham (9th; 45 points) vs Liverpool (6th; 55 points)
When: Monday 9th May, 2011, at 20:00 UK time
Where: Craven Cottage, London, England
Top 10 Target
A quick glance at the Premier League table might suggest Fulham have little to play for and their players may well be forgiven for turning their thoughts to summer holidays rather than a tough 90 minutes graft. However, boss Mark Hughes is insistent that he wants a top 10 finish – not just for the sake of it, but to show that the Cottagers are safe under his stewardship and as a basis for next season.
The match against Liverpool is one Fulham fans will have had in their diaries since the fixture list was published last summer, believing back then that it would represent a reunion with former manager Hodgson. But while Hodgson’s sacking takes some of the gloss off this game, the London club can better last season’s 12th place finish – and by some margin.
The former Manchester City manager has designs on equalling the feats of Roy Hodgson at Craven Cottage, but to reach a Europa League final Hughes must first qualify for the competition. And recent form has been good, with back-to-back 3-0 wins over Bolton and Sunderland respectively, even if Hughes knows this will be tough.
"It will be a difficult challenge for us", admitted the Welshman, "but from the same point of view we could say exactly the same. We’re playing with confidence so it’s going to be a good match-up. We went to Anfield early in Kenny’s [Dalglish] tenure and played exceptionally well."
Can’t Slip Up Now
Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Newcastle United last weekend put the Reds firmly in the box seat to take fifth spot and Europa League football for next season. While Tottenham Hotspur had played a game less, Harry Redknapp’s side must still visit Anfield next weekend. And Spurs’ 1-1 draw against Blackpool on Saturday means that, with the amount of games now level, Liverpool are but a single point behind.
Of course, manager Kenny Dalglish will be well aware that at this late stage of the season just one slip will be enough to hand European football to Spurs on a platter, but Liverpool’s form is good and especially, the new twin strikeforce of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez looks encouraging. Dalglish has also galvanised a number of players who looked lost under Hodgson, while handing chances to others, such as tigerish midfielder Jay Spearing, who have regularly given their all for the cause.
Against Fulham though, a side so often stubborn and difficult to beat at Craven Cottage, Dalglish will likely need a little magic to open up the game, and for that Suarez especially will be looked to. He is a player the Scot rated highly.
"Suarez has been fantastically enthusiastic, he walks about with a smile on his face in training, he enjoys training and is very good amongst the dressing room", commented Dalglish. "Because of his personality and approach to games, he’s got his reward – and the reward for us is a really exciting player who has made a contribution to the run we’re on and he has also settled in very quickly and become part of the football club."
Recent form
Fulham:
Wolves 1-1 Fulham
(23/04; Premier League)
Fulham 3-0 Bolton
(27/04; Premier League)
Sunderland 0-3 Fulham
(30/04; Premier League)
Liverpool:
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
(17/04; Premier League)
Liverpool 5-0 Birmingham
(23/04; Premier League)
Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle (01/05; Premier League)
Key absences
Fulham: Clint Dempsey (doubt); Damien Duff; Zoltan Gera
Liverpool: Fabio Aurelia (doubt); Milan Jovanovic (doubt); Daniel Agger; Martin Kelly; Steven Gerrard
Players to watch
Fulham – Eidur Gudjohnsen: The Iceland star failed to break through into the first team at Stoke City after switching from Monaco and pitched up at Fulham on loan in January. Now that Gudjohnsen has found his groove Fulham are keen to sign the ex-Barcelona striker on a permanent basis – and it is little surprise. With good close control and an ability to pick a pass, as well as find the back of the net, Gudjohnsen has it within himself to derail Liverpool’s Europa League bid.
Liverpool – Jay Spearing: In Steven Gerrard’s absence the 22-year-old has been given a big vote of confidence by Kenny Dalglish and is repaying his manager in spades. Always busy, keen to play the sensible rather than Hollywood pass, Spearing has earned himself a new contract at the club. His energy and desire can help Liverpool to take control of the engine room at Craven Cottage and build the basis for victory.
Match Prediction
Fulham are always a tough nut to crack at Craven Cottage and lately their form has been amongst the best in the Premier League, therefore this looks a difficult challenge for Liverpool. But the Reds perhaps have slightly more motivation given that it is they who still have something to play for this season. It will be tight, but Liverpool can shade it by the odd goal. Fulham 1-2 Liverpool.
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