Fulham entertain Wimbledon Football Club for the Mighty Whites' last home game
in Nationwide Division One before they embark on the next stage of their story
book adventure. In five seasons Fulham have come from basement Division 3 to
the top level Premiership division in style and are judged by pundits to be
able to look forward to a successful time in the Premiership next season.
The match against Wimbledon has been a sell out for weeks and is likely to be
played in a party atmosphere with fans celebrating a successful season along
with the presentation of the Division One Trophy after the game.
Fulham can still achieve the record number of points for Division One if they
beat Wimbledon and then Grimsby away in their last game of the season and a
number of players have said that the squad is up for the record. Even with the
desire to get the record Fulham will not be able to roll over Wimbledon without
a struggle.
The Dons have a far better record on their travels than they do at home recording
more away wins than home victories. At the moment they are unbeaten in their
last 6 away games having beaten Sheffield Utd, Wolves and then drawn at Bolton
and Blackburn.
|
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
| Wimbledon |
Last 6 Away |
6 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
6 |
4 |
10 |
Despite this trying to win at Fulham is a difficult challenge. Fulham are unbeaten
in their last 6 home games having conceded just 2 goals in those 6 games and have
only lost twice at home all season.
|
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
| Fulham |
Last 6 Home |
6 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
7 |
2 |
12 |
Unless Fulham lose the plot totally a Wimbledon win is extremely unlikely so the
Dons must play for a draw and hope that they can steal all three points with a
counter attack.
However Jean Tigana's Fulham is a goal machine having scored 89 goals so far,
the best in European soccer, and 48 of them were scored in the 22 home games.
In 70% of their games Fulham score the first goal and Wimbledon do not react well
to the opposition scoring first. In the 13 matches this has happened to them this
season they have lost 9 and drawn 4.
In other words a usual game at the Cottage defensive visitors being patiently
undone by classy passing and lightening goals seemingly from nothing.