Wednesday night will be important for Fulham and Aston Villa as they meet in London. A victory for The Cottagers could see them back in 4th place and an unexpected candidate for European football next season.
Fulham welcome Villa knowing that they have won their last five home games and that their opponents’ away form, two wins on their travels this season, has kept them in the middle and lower regions of the Premiership while Fulham are just two points behind fourth placed Newcastle.
Fulham have been in excellent form of late, making light of Louis Saha’s departure for Manchester United. Unlike Charlton, the loss of Fulham’s star man has yet to hit them hard as they have seen off Everton in the FA Cup, beat Spurs 2-1 and drew away at Southampton in the Premiership and the Cottagers seem keen to maintain their push for European football.
Qualification for the UEFA cup would be a massive achievement for Chris Coleman in his first full season in charge, and he must surely be a candidate for manager of the year after a string of good results.
Fulham have won seven league games from 12 at home this season, although several of those games have been tight results, and Coleman won’t be complacent.
Boss Coleman will be hoping recent signing Brian McBride continues to confirm his competence in the Premiership, during his spell with Everton last season he scored four goals in seven starts – and he has already opened his Fulham account after just 12 minutes back in the action against Spurs.
Losing Captain Lee Clark for this game, through injury, would be a blow, but Fulham’s impressive squad spirit this season should see them get over that.
