Fulham v Boro preview

Fulham aim to extend good run as Boro seek return to winning ways

Last updated: 19th December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fulham v Boro preview

Schwarzer: Facing former club

PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: Fulham 1 Boro 0
Sky Bet odds: Fulham 6/5, Draw 12/5, Boro 11/5
One to Watch: Andy Johnson
Bet on Saturday's match

Related links

Teams

Also see

Fulham will aim to extend their unbeaten six-game run when they host out-of-form Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Roy Hodgson's men have overcome a slow start to the season to rise into the top half of the Premier League table, and they still have a game in hand on most of their rivals.

The Cottagers' success has been built around a rock-solid defence and they have conceded just 12 goals all season, fewer than any other team outside the top three.

They have played out 0-0 draws in three of their last four matches and Hodgson would like more of a cutting edge, but he is unlikely to tinker too much with his line-up.

Bobby Zamora may return after missing last weekend's stalemate against Stoke and could slot in alongside Andy Johnson up front.

Hodgson has few injury concerns but long-term absentees Diomansy Kamara and Andranik Teymourian (both knee) are still recovering.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will hope to continue his fine form as he lines up against his former club.

Southgate options

Middlesbrough turned in an encouraging performance against Arsenal last week but they could only draw 1-1.

The result extended Boro's winless streak to five games and left them 12th in the league, just two points above the relegation zone.

Gareth Southgate will be keen for his men to find some consistency over the festive period, with games against Everton and Manchester United to come before the end of the year.

French midfielder Didier Digard is a major doubt with a groin injury he sustained against Arsenal.

Gary O'Neil (hamstring) is also out and Justin Hoyte is set to be sidelined until the middle of January with a knee problem.

However, David Wheater returns from suspension and Andrew Taylor (knee) and Mido (hamstring) are available once again.

Possible starting XIs

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Bullard, Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, Taylor, Johnson, Arca, Shawky, Downing, Aliadiere, Tuncay.

SkyBet
Click here for more betting