Let’s be honest, Fulham have had a rather nondescript season. Never really troubled by relegation concerns for too long and failing to push for European spots at the higher reaches of the table. Arguably the most talked about part of their campaign has been the bizarre statue constructed outside Craven Cottage of the late “pop god” Michael Jackson.
With survival theoretically just a couple of points away, Fulham are all but safe. Currently 12th in the Premier League – on joint points with Stoke, Sunderland and Birmingham and holding a much great goal difference – they could effectively seal their top-flight status over this double Gameweek where they face relatively attractive opposition. A trip up to Wolves is followed by the visit of Bolton to the Cottage, two matches in which Mark Hughes will be looking to gather at least 4 points.
A couple of very winnable fixtures await then, but can this unspectacular Fulham side offer Fantasy Managers any real prospects over the gameweek?
The Prospects
The words ‘topsy’ and ‘turvy’ could certainly be used to describe Fulham this season and, in particular, their recent form. In their last 6 Premier League games they have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 2. The Cottagers have ‘mid-table’ written all over them. They haven’t particularly given their supporters much to get excited about, finding the back of the net only 36 times. But they have made up for this with defensive stability, conceding just 35 goals. Giving them a respectable goal difference for a bottom-half team of +1.
A trip up to the midlands to face Mick McCarthy’s men is their first challenge. This could well be extremely testing for a Fulham outfit who show atrocious away form, winning just once, drawing 8 times and losing on 7 occasions. Only Wigan and Newcastle have failed to score less than Fulham’s 13 away goals this season.
Having said all that, if Fulham are going to improve on their away form and scoring rate, it could well arrive at Molineux with Wolves sitting on the foot of the table and having lost 6 homes matches this term, winning 7 and drawing 3. Mick McCarthy’s side have failed to sustain any real form and, having been defeated in their last two fixtures, Fulham will surely fancy their chances going into the game.
The second fixture has Bolton make the trip down to London off the back of a disastrous FA Cup semi-final loss to Stoke. Although their Premier League status has been confirmed, Owen Coyle will be looking to end the season with a flourish and improve on a far from impressive away record. They will find a Fulham side who have been strong at Craven Cottage this season, winning 7, drawing 6 and losing 3, whilst scoring 23 and conceding 16. Given Bolton’s dip in form, and the fact that they have lost 9 times on the road this term, you would have to look to a home win here.
One consideration with Fulham’s attacking prospects – following the double gameweek, Mark Hughes takes his side to Sunderland with the Black Cats struggling to plug leaks in their back four. Sunderland have conceded 19 goals in their last 8 league matches indicating that Fulham acquisitions may hold value for at least another gameweek.
The Likely Lads
Fulham have not offered much in attacking terms this season from a Fantasy Football perspective, that is apart from Clint Dempsey. The American international has been in incredible form, fetching 144 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points so far – which includes 10 goals, 3 assists and 19 Bonus Points. Despite shifting back to a midfield role having filled in up front earlier in the season, when it comes to pure goal attempts, Dempsey still has few Premier League peers in midfield (only Nani has fired in more efforts) and is by far and away the biggest direct threat in the Fulham side. If you don’t already own the American, and 18.4% of you already do, he looks a very strong asset for the double with his proven pedigree for points. At 7.4, he comes at a price however.
Defensively Fulham have been far more astute, with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer a decent option between the posts. Although missing for 7 games, he’s achieved a respectable 88 FPL points this season and has kept 8 clean sheet and made 76 saves. Holding an FPL valuation of 4.7, he is a cheap option and he has every chance of picking up at least one clean sheet over the double. Elsewhere in defence there’s the ever popular Brede Hangeland who holds a massive ownership of 23.7%. The solid centre-back has 117 FPL points this season and also offers Bonus Points and proven goal potential.
Having just come back from a lengthy injury that has seen him miss most of the season, Bobby Zamora has found some form and you would expect him to be a popular choice in the Gameweek. Since his return, the England international has scored 3 goals in 2 starts and 2 substitute appearances. An FPL valuation of just 6.0 means that he can slot in alongside more expensive options and for those choosing to ignore Dempsey, he looks a very viable alternative to cover Fulham’s attacking returns.
Cheeky Punt
Hotly tipped French youngster Gael Kakuta made his first start in the Premier League for Fulham against Manchester United at Old Trafford, coming in for the injured Damien Duff. If Duff fails to return to the set-up, the Chelsea loanee could keep his place in the starting XI. In his brief appearances for Fulham and Chelsea this season, he has won rave reviews and, listed as a midfielder on the FPL game, he can also play up front. Priced at 5.1 and holding 0.1% ownership, he has both budget and differential advantages.
