Fulham take on Stoke in a mid-table clash with little to play for at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
| Team |
Fulham |
Stoke |
| Games Played |
33 |
33 |
| Goal Attempts |
| Goals |
33 |
33 |
| Ave Goals per game |
1.00 |
1.00 |
| Shots (excl blocked shots) |
319 |
239 |
| % Shots on Target |
40% |
36% |
| % Goals to Shots |
10% |
14% |
| Passing |
| Short Passes |
11,893 |
6,283 |
| Long Passes |
2,016 |
1,884 |
| Overall Pass Completion % |
75% |
64% |
| Crossing |
| Total Crosses |
686 |
601 |
| Cross Completion % |
23% |
22% |
| Defending |
| Goals Conceded |
28 |
48 |
| Ave goals conceded per game |
0.85 |
1.45 |
| Tackles |
734 |
577 |
| Tackles Won % |
73% |
74% |
| Blocks, Clearances & Interceptions |
2128 |
1967 |
| Discipline |
| Fouls |
396 |
462 |
| Yellow Cards |
34 |
67 |
| Red Cards |
1 |
5 |
On the face of it, it looks a vital game for The Cottagers as they edge towards European qualification: West Ham are just one point ahead and face Chelsea at the weekend while Tottenham are level and face Manchester United.
However, Fulham are a side whose success has been built on a limited number of players and Roy Hodgson admitted last week that the Europa League would put a major strain on resources.
So, no real incentive for Fulham, then, despite all the talk of a strong finish.
Over at Stoke, Tony Pulis continues to insist his 12th-placed side are still in the relegation battle, but it’s a less than convincing argument.
After all, the side have 39 points – eight more than 18th-placed Middlesbrough – and Pulis said this week: “If we got over 40 points then I think that will see us over the line.”
So, no real incentive for Stoke, either.
The Potters will be without Danny Higginbotham, James Beattie, Mamady Sidibe, Amdy Faye and Salif Diao for the game, while Andy Wilkinson looks doubtful.
Fulham, meanwhile, have no injury worries.
PIVOTAL PLAYER: Brede Hangeland. The 6ft 5in Norway centre back will need to stand tall against the Stoke giants.