Fulham v Stoke City
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 11 February 2012 - Kick Off 3pm

---

Fulham

Fulham looked a little out of sorts in their last couple of games, their first games since Bobby Zamora was sold to West London rivals QPR. I think Martin Jol is trying to put his mark on the team and this season has to be considered a transitional one, although they still have to confirm their Premier League status in the coming weeks.

The team fell down to 14th in the Premier League and there is only a 7 point buffer between themselves and Bolton Wanderers in the final relegation spot. The form at Craven Cottage has been a little hit and miss so far, compiling a 5-4-3 record, scoring 22 goals and conceding 18.

The Cottagers have won just 1 of their last 5 games in all competitions, and come into this one having failed to win any of their last 3 of which they have lost 2. Fulham drew 1-1 here with West Brom in their last game in front of their own fans, but they had won their previous 3 in all competitions at home, including against the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle United.

Pavel Pogrebnyak is hoping to have finalised his work permit in time to take part in this game for his new club. Andrew Johnson may also be available after injury, but Steve Sidwell will be missing.

Stoke City

I have had the feeling over the last couple of weeks that Stoke City may be struggling under the weight of games they have already been forced to play this season and that has resulted in some poor performances and results. There may also be a couple of players looking forward to the resumption of the Europa League where they will be facing Valencia during the week, and it will be down to Tony Pulis to keep them focused on the task at hand.

A loss at home to Sunderland means Stoke have now fallen into the bottom half of the table in 12th position, and I think there will be one or two fans who are glad they have already racked up 30 points this season. The last couple of seasons has seen Stoke base their Premier League foundation on their form at the Brittania Stadium, but this season they have as many wins at home as they do away. The Potters are 4-2-6 away from home, scoring 8 goals and conceding 22.

Stoke have failed to win any of their last 4 Premier League games, losing 3 on the bounce coming into this one, although they do have a couple of FA Cup wins in that time. The Potters have had some troubles at home, but they have had been unbeaten in 4 straight away games in all competitions before losing at Manchester United in their last away game.

There are no new injury worries for Tony Pulis as they travel to West London, although Robert Huth has had his suspension confirmed and will be absent.

Head to Head

Stoke City beat Fulham 2-0 at the Brittania Stadium earlier this season, scoring both goals in the last 10 minutes of that game.

Fulham beat Stoke 2-0 here last season and have won 5 of their last 6 home games against them.

Prediction

This is a tougher match to predict as both sides have had their issues of late, but I am leaning towards the home team to get back on course as I think this game is a little more important to them.

Stoke City do need to stop a run of defeats in the Premier League, but you can forgive the players if they are perhaps looking ahead to the games with Valencia and Crawley Town in the Cup competitions which will take place in the next two weeks.

Fulham, on the other hand, can focus on this game as their last one for a couple of weeks and I think they have begun showing a little more at home in recent games to get back to the level they were under Roy Hodgson and Mark Hughes.

With Stoke's lack of goals away from home, I do believe Fulham are going to have just a little too much for them this week and will inflict a 4th consecutive loss on the Potters in a tough Saturday afternoon game.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Fulham 2-0 Stoke City

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Fulham -0.75 Asian Handicap @ 2.35 (Bet Victor)