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Fulham manager
Martin Jol |
I'm absolutely certain Roy Hodgson will get a terrific reception from Fulham fans at the Hawthorns as he faces his former side for the first time as West Bromwich Albion manager. I'm equally convinced that Martin Jol will receive a warm welcome from the home supporters, as a former Baggies player.
However, all sentiment will end after kick-off. A victory is vital for both sides, who have made their worst-ever starts to a Premier League campaign.
West Brom have kept just one clean sheet in their last 20 Premier League matches at home; it was last May, and I was there for Match of the Day when they beat Everton 1-0.
I'm told that Roy Hodgson won 34% of his matches as Fulham manager, compared with 33% so far with West Brom - the defeat at Swansea last weekend was the heaviest they have suffered since he took charge, so they desperately need a first home win since that day back in May.
Fulham haven't opened the scoring in any of their Premier League matches so far, but they were fantastic in coming back to draw against Manchester City last Sunday.
I'm looking forward to seeing their new signing Bryan Ruiz for the first time. The Costa Rican missed the decisive penalty in the shoot-out that saw Fulham go out of the Carling Cup at Chelsea in midweek, while West Brom lost at Everton. Will the fact that both teams played extra time on Wednesday night play a part this weekend?
Recent history tells you that West Brom should win, simply because the away team in this fixture hasn't won in the last 11 meetings. If I did the Pools I'd be tempted to put this match down as a draw.
No away side has won this fixture in 11 league matches since Fulham won 3-1 at the Hawthorns in December 2000.
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The clubs have met 76 times in all, with West Brom leading by 36 wins to 25.
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West Brom boss Roy Hodgson will take on his former side Fulham for the first time as Baggies boss.
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West Brom have the worst conversion rate of shots to goals in the top flight, scoring with just 6% of their attempts on goal.
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Their 3-0 defeat to Swansea was the heaviest defeat of Roy Hodgson's reign as manager.
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Ben Foster has made only 10 saves in five matches this season and six of those were against Chelsea.
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I'm absolutely certain Roy Hodgson will get a terrific reception from Fulham fans at the Hawthorns as he faces his former side for the first time as West Bromwich Albion manager. I'm equally convinced that Martin Jol will receive a warm welcome from the home supporters, as a former Baggies player.
However, all sentiment will end after kick-off. A victory is vital for both sides, who have made their worst-ever starts to a Premier League campaign.
West Brom have kept just one clean sheet in their last 20 Premier League matches at home; it was last May, and I was there for Match of the Day when they beat Everton 1-0.
I'm told that Roy Hodgson won 34% of his matches as Fulham manager, compared with 33% so far with West Brom - the defeat at Swansea last weekend was the heaviest they have suffered since he took charge, so they desperately need a first home win since that day back in May.
Fulham haven't opened the scoring in any of their Premier League matches so far, but they were fantastic in coming back to draw against Manchester City last Sunday.
I'm looking forward to seeing their new signing Bryan Ruiz for the first time. The Costa Rican missed the decisive penalty in the shoot-out that saw Fulham go out of the Carling Cup at Chelsea in midweek, while West Brom lost at Everton. Will the fact that both teams played extra time on Wednesday night play a part this weekend?
Recent history tells you that West Brom should win, simply because the away team in this fixture hasn't won in the last 11 meetings. If I did the Pools I'd be tempted to put this match down as a draw.
- No away side has won this fixture in 11 league matches since Fulham won 3-1 at the Hawthorns in December 2000.
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The clubs have met 76 times in all, with West Brom leading by 36 wins to 25.
-
West Brom boss Roy Hodgson will take on his former side Fulham for the first time as Baggies boss.
-
West Brom have the worst conversion rate of shots to goals in the top flight, scoring with just 6% of their attempts on goal.
-
Their 3-0 defeat to Swansea was the heaviest defeat of Roy Hodgson's reign as manager.
-
Ben Foster has made only 10 saves in five matches this season and six of those were against Chelsea.
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season for only the second time in their history. They also failed to win in their first five league matches in the 1951-52 season, and also lost the sixth.
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Danny Murphy has created more scoring chances for his side (21) than any other player in the top flight.
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Fulham are the only team in the Premier League who have not scored the opening goal in a match so far this season.
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They have drawn four of their last six league games.
season for only the second time in their history. They also failed to win in their first five league matches in the 1951-52 season, and also lost the sixth.
br />
Danny Murphy has created more scoring chances for his side (21) than any other player in the top flight.
br />
Fulham are the only team in the Premier League who have not scored the opening goal in a match so far this season.
They have drawn four of their last six league games.