Aaron Hughes hopes home advantage will give Fulham the edge over local rivals West Ham in Sunday’s crunch relegation clash at Craven Cottage.
The Hammers head across London on Boxing Day looking to gain three points to move off the bottom of the Barclays Premier League table.
With relegation rivals Wolves and Wigan facing off in a crucial six-pointer at Molineux on the same day, 17th-placed Fulham will end Boxing Day in the relegation zone if they lose to Avram Grant’s team.
West Ham have failed to win away from home this season and the centre-back hopes that will play into the hosts’ hands this weekend.
“It’s a big game for both teams because both clubs are looking for points to get up the table,” Hughes told Fulham’s official website.
“It will be a tough game but we’re at home and hopefully we can use that advantage to come out on top on Sunday.”
