Fulham and Portsmouth will have to fight like pit bull terriers if they are to drag themselves away from the tightest relegation dogfight in years.
The two teams square up at Craven Cottage on Saturday with precious points up for grabs, with both managers aware that defeat will leave them precariously perched above the dreaded drop zone.
Six points separate the Premier League’s bottom club from the previously high-flying Hull in tenth and every side in between is scrapping for their lives.
| Team |
Fulham |
Portsmouth |
| Games Played |
21 |
22 |
| Goal Attempts |
|
|
| Goals |
19 |
22 |
| Ave Goals per game |
0.90 |
1.00 |
| Shots (excl blocked shots) |
204 |
234 |
| % Shots on Target |
42% |
41% |
| % Goals to Shots |
9% |
9% |
| Passing |
|
|
| Short Passes |
7,377 |
7,258 |
| Long Passes |
1,303 |
1,437 |
| Overall Pass Completion % |
75% |
76% |
| Crossing |
|
|
| Total Crosses |
457 |
476 |
| Cross Completion % |
23% |
24% |
| Defending |
|
|
| Goals Conceded |
18 |
35 |
| Ave goals conceded per game |
0.86 |
1.59 |
| Tackles |
477 |
558 |
| Tackles Won % |
71% |
78% |
| Blocks, Clearances & Interceptions |
1366 |
1286 |
| Discipline |
|
|
| Fouls |
255 |
265 |
| Yellow Cards |
21 |
29 |
| Red Cards |
1 |
3 |
| Opta Index |
Tony Adams’ side has had the heart ripped out of it during the January transfer window and are currently stumbling towards February like an unstable drunk.
Pompey are without a Premier League win since defeating fellow strugglers Blackburn in November and have lost five and drawn two of the seven top flight games they have played since.
But Saturday’s opponents have barely fared better. Roy Hodgson’s Fulham have won only won of their last nine Premier League games, despite being unbeaten in their last seven at Craven Cottage.
While a previously rock-solid defence has started to come apart at the seams, with The Cottagers keeping only one clean sheet in their last five home games.
But for a side embroiled in a relegation scrap, Craven Cottage has proved something of a fortress for Fulham. Only one defeat in their ten home games makes them a very different prospect in West London to away, where they have yet to win all season.
And Pompey do not enjoy their visits to the capital. In 32 trips to London, they have won only seven games.
Adams will give a late fitness test to captain Sol Campbell, who was forced off during Pompey’s midweek defeat to Aston Villa with a hip injury.
Younes Kaboul could replace Campbell at centre back, while Niko Kranjcar and Richard Hughes are both still sidelined.
PREDICTION: 2-1
PIVOTAL PLAYER: Clint Dempsey. With three goals in his last two appearances at Craven Cottage, Dempsey is a man in form.