On Monday night, Fulham will look to get back to winning ways against Tottenham Hotspur side who lost in spectacular fashion to an excellent Manchester City outfit in midweek. Should Marco Silva’s side manage to win and add to Antonio Conte’s misery then the Whites will move into fifth – and within striking distance of the Champions’ League spots. Who’d have thought we would be thinking about Europe this time last year?
Spurs look like they will be missing Richarlison, who has so far underperformed for them this term, for the trip to Craven Cottage. Fulham will be able to recall Antonee Robinson, who missed the agonising defeat up at Newcastle United having collected five yellow cards. While Layvin Kurzawa gradually grew into the game at St. James’ Park, there is no doubt that we missed the American, who is having a storming season. You’d imagine Silva’s starting eleven will look largely unchanged from the side that made such an impressive return to the Premier League action – it feels that the Portuguese head coach has found a magic formula suited to the top flight.
Despite the fact that we lost 2-1 at Tottenham earlier in the season, there were actually positives to take from that fixture. We should remember that, although our form in the early weeks of the campaign was encouraging, the team as a whole has improved substantially. There have been significant changes in personnel since that defeat in north London. Neeskens Kebano remains sidelined with a long-term injury, so it will be Willian, who has become a key playmaker since arriving on a free transfer in September, on the left wing. Silva has also been starting Tosin Adarabioyo less and less in favour of Issa Diop, who seems far stronger on the ball. The Fulham midfield looks fairly familiar with summer signings Joao Palhinha and Andreas Pereira becoming regulars and creating many key chances in every match.
What can we expect from the game? Well, as always we should be looking to make the most of home advantage, but – after the collapse at Manchester City – Tottenham will be desperate for a win themselves. Spurs might not be fluent side of previous seasons at present, but with the likes of Son and Kane in their side they will always be dangerous. We can expect a lot of forward runs from a duo we know can be so effective against any team in the Premier League. It is certain to be a hard fought match, but Fulham should head into another London derby in high spirits despite the defeat on Tyneside. While the manner in which we lost was gutting, we should feel no shame as going to St James’ Park has to be one of the hardest away assignments for anyone in the Premier League. Silva sends his sides out without fear and so Fulham should feel confident that this result can go our way.
