Fulham v Birmingham: Cottagers Keep their Survival Hopes Alive as the Championship Beckons for the Blues?
This is arguably the most important Premier League match of the weekend as a defeat for either side will leave them with an uphill task of securing their survival on the last day of the season. The teams directly above this pair (Bolton and Reading) both have home fixtures this weekend which you’d expect them to get points from. So Fulham in particular really do need all 3 points to stand a fighting chance of safety.
Hodgson’s Hero’s Heading in Right Direction
The Cottagers have won 3 of their last 7 matches which has left them within touching distance (3 points) of relegation rivals Bolton and Reading. This upturn in fortunes under Roy Hodgson is a dramatic turnaround as in the previous 29 League games Fulham’s had only won 3 games. He has cured their chronic 19-month travel sickness after winning the last 2 away games on the trot at Reading and Manchester City. In the last 5 games, Hodgson’s side have scored 8 goals. It had taken them 13 games to score 8 goals prior to this run. In the last 7 games the numerous strikers on Fulham’s books have started to finally find the back of the net as David Healy (1 goal), Brian McBride (2 goals), Diomansy Kamara (3 goals) and Erik Nevland (1 goal) have all got amongst the goals. They will enter this match full of confidence after an incredible comeback win at Eastlands last weekend. Although, after a run of 4 defeats in their last 5 games at Craven Cottage, Premier 10 players may be cautious of backing the home side.
Blues Hit Poor Patch at the Wrong Time
Birmingham have hit a poor patch of form at just the wrong time of the season. They’re without a win in the last 4 League games (2 defeats) and have been conceding goals for fun. Alex McLeish’s team have now conceded 21 goals in the last 10 games alone and have not kept a clean-sheet in 2008. Not the kind of form you want when entering the 2 biggest games of a difficult season, I’m sure you’ll agree. On a positive note the Blues are having no problem scoring goals as only Wigan have been able to stop them finding the net in the last 12 matches. Mikael Forssell has scored 2 goals in the last 2 games whilst on-loan Mauro Zarate has scored 4 goals in his last 6 matches so they are far from without hope.
These two sides have met 9 times in the history of the Premier League with Fulham winning just the once compared to Birmingham’s 3 wins. In fact, the Blues have not lost in their last 4 League trips to play the Cottagers (2 wins & 2 draws). However, I believe it’s now Fulham who enter this match with both the belief and momentum so I would back them on Premier 10 to keep themselves in the survival hunt with all 3 points. It could be a wise move to cover yourself with a draw though, as there is so much at stake for both teams and both are relatively evenly matched.
Pundit’s Pick: Fulham fighting to the end (home win) Do you agree with this result for your Premier 10 prediction? Play Now>>
Tags: Birmingham City, Blues, COttagers, Fulham, Premier 10 preview, Premier League
