Fulham v Port Vale
Football : English Carling Cup Round 2
Wednesday 25 August 2010 - Kickoff 8pm

---

Fulham

It seems the entertaining times at Craven Cottage remain as the Mark Hughes era got off to an impressive start with a 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Sunday. Fulham might not have the distraction of Europe this season, but the side have proved their capabilities of performing in one off games over the last 12 months and they could prove to be a dark horse in this competition with the right draws.

Fulham picked up their 2nd point of the season in the draw with United as they fought back twice and equalised in the 90th minute. David Stockdale is making a fine job of helping the Fulham fans forget that Mark Schwarzer is not in goal at the moment and it was his penalty save from Nani that enabled Fulham to get the point they deserved. The Cottagers will be hoping for a better run in the Carling Cup this year after losing in Round 3 to Manchester City.

Moussa Dembele and new signing Rafik Halliche will both be hoping to make full debuts here. Andy Johnson remains a long term absentee and other changes will also be expected.

Port Vale

Port Vale have been rewarded with this tie after beating Queens Park Rangers 1-3 at Loftus Road in the last round. The result was impressive regardless of the weakened nature of Neil Warnock's QPR who have bigger fish of trying to reach the Premier League to fry this season. The Valiants have been tipped as potential League Two winners in some quarters and have not disappointed so far.

Vale remain unbeaten this season and they have won 2 of their 3 League games this season so far. Impressively, all their wins so far this campaign have come away from Vale Park, with wins at Bury, Southend and QPR. A slight concern for Micky Adams will be the 1 clean sheet they have achieved. Port Vale beat both Sheffield clubs last season in their run to the 3rd Round of this competition before falling to Scunthorpe.

Doug Loft and Lewis Haldane are both out while Tommy Fraser could return to the first team line up. Louis Dodds is hoping to retain his place in the side after scoring at the weekend.

Prediction

Fulham are one of these sides that have a tendency to be knocked out by clubs in the Lower Leagues it seems although it has been 4 years since that happened in the Carling Cup. The side is stronger now and much more adept at playing under Cup conditions. The Cottagers have been knocked out in Round 3 in each of the last 3 seasons and will be hoping to improve on that.

Port Vale have already shocked one team this season in the form of QPR and this game should hold no fear. They have made a strong start in a division in which they were considered one of the favourites and seem to have particularly enjoyed themselves away from home so far this year. This is an altogether different test for them and will be difficult to overcome.

Both sides will look to play football here and this could lead to an entertaining game. Many Fulham fans cannot remember the last time they saw a bad game at home, and Mark Hughes should want to build some wins up as soon as possible.

I expect goals in this game and I am going to pick the 4 + goals option at Ladbrokes.

The Pick :

Fulham 4-1 Port Vale

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

4 + Total Goals @ 2.5 (Ladbrokes)