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Fulham visit Swansea -- PL Match Preview

last updated Monday 27th January 2014, 6:11 PM


Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen
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Swansea and Fulham find themselves just above the relegation zone coming into this match, which perhaps surprisingly comes just two days after Fulham's FA Cup fourth round draw at Sheffield United. Indeed, Rene Meulensteen is far from happy at having to play this fixture so soon after their trip to Bramall Lane.

Swansea also progressed through to the fifth round of the FA Cup at the weekend with victory at Birmingham, but the overwhelming priority for both clubs is Premier League survival.

It was 2-1 to Swansea when these sides met at Craven Cottage in November. The Swans have recorded only one victory in their 10 Premier League matches since then, while Fulham have three wins from their 10 fixtures since Jonjo Shelvey's late winner in west London.

Swansea's one victory in their last 10 in the Premier League was when I saw them beat Newcastle 3-0 at the Liberty in early December, and they come into this match having lost their last three in the league. It's a crucial period for the Swans, who have matches against West Ham, Cardiff and Stoke to come in their next three fixtures.

Fulham are without a league win since New Year's Day, and have conceded 22 goals in their last six top-flight matches. They have let in 48 in the league this season, which is 10 more than any other side, and means their goal difference stands at a dreadful -26.

Away from Craven Cottage, Fulham have scored in only three of their last 10 in the league, while Swansea have scored in each of their last six at home. Add to that the fact that Wilfried Bony is on such a good run of goalscoring form and the Welsh club will probably start on Tuesday as favourites.

    Head-to-head



  • Swansea City have won four of their five Premier League meetings against Fulham. The Cottagers' only victory was a 3-0 win at the Liberty Stadium on the final day of last season.


  • In three consecutive matches between the sides from September 1956 to August 1957 in the old Division Two there were a total of 27 goals scored (Fulham 7-3 Swansea, Swansea 4-5 Fulham, Swansea 4-4 Fulham).


  • The last four league meetings between Swansea and Fulham have ended as away wins.


  • This is the 65th meeting between the sides. Fulham have won 31 times, Swansea 23 and there have been 10 draws.



  • Swansea



  • Swansea have failed to win in eight league matches, their longest-ever run in the Premier League without a victory.


  • The Swans have won just two of their last 16 Premier League home matches.


  • They have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight league games, the worst such run in the top flight. And they have kept just one in their last 13.


  • Michael Laudrup's side have benefitted from five own goals so far this season, more than any other side in the Premier League.


  • In their last league fixture against Tottenham they conceded only six fouls in the whole match.


  • They have conceded the opening goal in their Premier League fixtures 14 times this season, only opponents Fulham have conceded more with 15.



  • Fulham



  • Fulham have gone 18 matches without a draw in the league, winning five and losing 13.


  • They have won just three of their last 14 top-flight matches.


  • They have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 Premier League matches.


  • The Cottagers have allowed 141 shots on target against them this season, more than any other team in the top flight.


  • The Londoners have averaged one point per game under Rene Meulensteen (nine points from nine matches) compared to 0.77 per match under Martin Jol.
























Source John Roder at BBCSports
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