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Fulham at home to Wigan :- Match Preview

last updated Friday 11th January 2013, 12:25 PM


Fulham manager Martin Jol
Fulham manager
Martin Jol
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Martin Jol
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This match provides Fulham with an opportunity to build on an encouraging start to the year and record back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time since September.

I watched their victory at West Brom on New Year's Day, which was both deserved and much needed. Once again you left with the conclusion that if Dimitar Berbatov is in the mood then Fulham are a handful.

The Bulgarian has so much quality and seems to inspire others around him. He has a manager who has worked with him before and knows how to bring the best out of him.

A team with Berbatov playing regularly should not have relegation concerns, but before that victory at the Hawthorns their run of just one win in 12 league games had left them only four points above the drop zone. Now they need to push on again and will be desperate to record a league double against Wigan given they face both Manchester in the coming weeks.

Traditionally, Craven Cottage has been a difficult place for visiting teams to pick up points but Fulham's home form has dipped slightly in the current campaign. They have already been beaten four times on their own turf, matching their tally of defeats last season.

I witnessed their win at the DW stadium back in September but Wigan are often more dangerous on their travels. Teams seem to attack them more at home, meaning the Latics tend to create more opportunities as the visiting team.

They've already won more games on the road than at the DW this season, just as they did in the last campaign when six away victories were the foundation of another 'Great Escape'.

They do have more of a goal threat this season, but they have to tighten up at the back and stop conceding the opening goal. Form would point to Fulham but with Wigan you just never know.

    Head-to-head


  • Wigan won two of their first three Premier League games against Fulham but since then they have gone 12 matches without a win against the Whites (D6, L6).


  • Fulham have won five of their last six games against Wigan.



  • Fulham


  • The win at West Brom on New Year's Day means Fulham have the chance to record back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since September 2012. Coincidentally, those two victories came against West Brom and then Wigan.


  • Martin Jol's men have kept one clean sheet in their last 14 league and cup games.


  • Jol has never lost a Premier League match as manager against Wigan (W5, D2). The only team he has has recorded more victories against is Manchester City (6).


  • Dimitar Berbatov has scored eight goals in 11 Premier League games against Wigan. The only club he has netted more against is Blackburn (nine).


  • Fulham's substitutes have contributed eight league goals this term, more than any other top-flight side.



  • Wigan


  • The Latics have won more league games away from home (three) than at the DW Stadium (two) this season.


  • Wigan have conceded the opening goal in 14 Premier League games this season, losing 13 of those matches.


  • They have lost six of their last eight league games.
























Source Steve Bower at BBCSports
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