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Fulham visit Tottenham -- PL Match Preview

last updated Friday 18th April 2014, 1:37 PM


Fulham manager Felix Magath
Fulham manager
Felix Magath
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Felix Magath
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Fulham's 30 points this season have been won evenly between their three managers, and the stats would suggest that in Felix Magath they have made a good appointment - though they might have made it too late.

Fulham's first 10 points were amassed in 13 games under Martin Jol, and their next 10 with Rene Meulensteen in charge also came in 13 matches. But the last 10 points have come in just eight games with Magath at the helm.

The tag of "Europe's last dictator " has stuck to Magath since it was coined by former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Bachirou Salou over a decade ago, but his methods look to be working.

Having won back-to-back games for only the second time this season, Fulham can travel to Tottenham with some hope of making it three wins on the spin, something they last achieved more than two years ago.

After Spurs, Fulham's last three games are against Hull, Stoke, and Crystal Palace - two wins and two draws would probably keep them safe.

If they do stay up it will add to Magath's already well-established reputation as a man to fight fires. It would be as impressive an escape as the one orchestrated by Roy Hodgson in 2008 when the Cottagers' won four of their last five to avoid the trap-door.

Spurs' run-in gives them the opportunity to finish a turbulent season in a positive frame of mind.

Games against Stoke, West Ham and Aston Villa follow the Fulham clash and their aim now must be to hold off Manchester United and to finish in the top six. That should allow them entry to the Europa League, though at such an early stage that they could be playing in some far-flung outpost of Europe just five days after the last game of their pre-season tour in America.

Whether that's a problem for manager Tim Sherwood or somebody else remains to be seen.

    Head-to-head

  • In 34 league meetings at White Hart Lane, Fulham have won only three matches. However, the most recent of those came on their last visit in March 2013 when former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov scored the only goal.


  • There has not been a goalless league match between these sides in the last eight fixtures.


  • Tottenham Hotspur


  • Last weekend's 3-3 thriller at West Brom was only the second time in Premier League history that Spurs successfully fought back from three goals down - the other was a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa in October 2007.


  • But they conceded two goals inside the first four minutes on Saturday, the first top-flight side to do that since Norwich at home to Manchester City in December 2012.


  • Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen has scored four goals and assisted three more in his last four Premier League appearances.


  • Tottenham have the best powers of recovery in the division after conceding the opening goal - they have recovered 17 points from such a position this campaign.


  • Tim Sherwood's side are one of only two clubs yet to lose a game from a winning position. Manchester United are the other.


  • Fulham


  • None of Fulham's last 46 Premier League games have ended goalless - the longest current run of all Premier League teams.


  • Manager Felix Magath has earned as many points in eight matches in charge (10) as both Rene Meulensteen and Martin Jol managed in 13 games apiece.


  • Saturday's 1-0 win over Norwich was only Fulham's fifth clean sheet - the fewest in the division.


  • Hugo Rodallega has scored in successive Premier League matches for the first time in nearly five years.


  • Fulham have the worst goal difference in the league (-40), the worst defensive record (74 goals against) and have also kept just two clean sheets in their last 19 league fixtures.


  • No side has taken fewer points from Premier League London derbies this season than Fulham's six.
























Source Steve Wilson at BBCSports
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