1. Fulham’s impressive home record under Roy Hodgson. Only Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa have won at the Cottage this season.
2. Scoring goals at home isn’t as big a problem as people have made out. Fulham have scored two or more at the Cottage 10 times this season already.
3. The Whites have a fine record in ‘home’ European fixtures two. They are unbeaten in thirteen, having won nine and drawn four.
4. Juventus are short on key players due to injury – and won’t fancy the trip to the Cottage. Bobby Zamora might be able to find some space in more of an attack-minded side tonight.
5. Hodgson himself: the wily old coach has a track record of producing big results when it matters (Portsmouth, Basel, Shakhtar) and devising a gameplan according. His experience of Italian football must be a positive and the players clearly believe in him.
6. Though not a conventional night game (as it’s an early kick-off), the atmosphere should be good tonight. Certainly a lot more lively than the first leg in Turin.
The boys will give it their best shot. They would be no shame in falling short – this European run has been more than memorable already. But we can do this. Believe.
Dan,
You gave some very good reasons for tonight. Regardless of what happens tonight this European experience has been great and a huge success.
Enjoy the match