Match Preview
Fulham vrs Huddersfield Town
Premier League Match Day 20 1819 at Craven Cottage
Saturday 29th December 2018 KO: 15:00
Referee:
Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
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The Premier League's bottom two clubs - Fulham and Huddersfield - go head to head on Saturday as they look to pull away from the relegation places.
A 1-1 draw with Wolves on Boxing Day lifted Fulham off the foot of the table, while Huddersfield were beaten 3-1 by Manchester United at Old Trafford to drop to 20th place.
Three points for either side at Craven Cottage could lift them into 18th, and Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri has revealed Ryan Sessegnon is challenging Andre Schurrle for a spot in the side.
"It's important that the coach has the choice to change some players and give a chance to everybody," Ranieri said.
"It's not a shame, but it's important for me to choose. Maybe we can choose at the beginning Sessegnon and then Schurrle and the rest of the team is the same. Both players impress me as Schurrle is experienced and Sessegnon is fresh."
Meanwhile, Huddersfield manager David Wagner says only his players can get the club out of their current predicament.
"Obviously if you concede six defeats in a row and you have performed on a very good level, it is not the best period," he said.
"On the other hand, the fixtures come thick and fast and this is what we are looking forward to.
"The only one who can turn it is us. No one will give us any presents. In football and in life, you have to work for it.
"We're in a very busy period and we're the only ones who can improve our situation."
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This is the first top-flight meeting at Craven Cottage between these sides since 1952, with Fulham having never lost to Huddersfield at home in this division (W2, D1).
- Huddersfield's 1-0 win in the reverse fixture in November was their first victory in 12 league matches against Fulham (D4, L7).
- Fulham have lost just one of their last 10 home league games against Huddersfield, winning five and drawing four.
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Fulham's record of two wins, five draws and 12 defeats is their worst after 19 matches of a league season.
- Their tally of 11 points is five fewer than at the halfway stage of their most recent Premier League campaign in 2013-14.
- Fulham have conceded in all but one of their last 23 Premier League fixtures.
- They have won just once in 16 Premier League matches (D5, L10)
- However, under Claudio Ranieri they have picked up six points in seven league outings, having earned just five in the previous 12.
- Fulham have failed to score in an unrivalled nine Premier League games this season, and have kept the fewest clean sheets (just one).
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Huddersfield are only the fourth team in Premier League history to lose six matches in one calendar month.
- Huddersfield's six successive losses is their worst league sequence since also losing six in a row in 1992.
- They could match the club record of seven successive league defeats, last set in 1955.
- The Terriers have scored 12 goals in 19 league games this season, fewer than any other team.
- They have won only one of their eight away Premier League games this season, keeping one clean sheet.
- Huddersfield are currently bottom of the Premier League with 10 points. At this stage last season, they were 11th with 22 points.