Fulham V Hull City – Monday 19th October

Kick-off: Monday 19th^th October – 20:00 GMT

Venue: Craven Cottage

TV Coverage: ESPN

Fulham

League Position: 15th

Recent Form: LWLLD

Fulham are another team who have yet to live up to the hype of last season, with the Cottagers currently found floundering in 15^th position, a million miles off their seventh place finish of last season. Fulham’s fixture list hasnt been the best but it has consisted of some very winnable games, with the exception of a couple of matches with Chelsea & Arsenal. Victories over Portsmouth & Everton, plus a draw with West Ham United are the positive results Fulham have to their name at the moment, hardly glistening form it has to be said.

We did see glimmers of improvements though in their last outing, that being the 2-2 draw at Upton Park, against West Ham. Fulham should have won that game and recorded their third win of the season, but their failure to concentrate for the full 90 minutes was their downfall as they let slip two huge points, two points that would have seen them head into the break several positions higher then they currently are.

As per usual, scoring is a major problem for Fulham, with Roy Hodgeson’s side only managing to score six goals thus far, just two of those actually coming at home, although two home fixtures were against Arsenal & Chelsea. Craven Cottage is certainly where their best results and the main bulk of their points will come this season but with them facing some difficult home fixtures already, they have yet to turn the Cottage back into the fortress it was of last season something that will be pivotal in how they fare this term.

This does look a fantastic opportunity for Fulham to register their third win of the season, their second at home, against a Hull side destined for relegation it would seem. However, it was Hull who took all the spoils in last years contest at Craven Cottage, beating Fulham 1-0. Will Fulham exact some revenge or will Hull become somewhat of a ‘bogey’ team for the Cottagers.

Hull City

League Position: 18th

Recent Form: DLLLW

Some points at last for Phil Brown’s Hull City after previously going three games without a single points. Three straight defeats against Sunderland (4-1), Birmingham City (0-1) & Liverpool (6-1), the latter being their heaviest defeat in the Premiership, appeared to have set the relegation ball firmly in motion as Hull were starting to lose ground on those in safety. However, although it may have been just the one win, a rare one it has to be said, it was enough to keep them in touch with the teams out of the relegation zone and a win for the ‘Tigers’ on Monday night might just see them escape the drop zone and breath in some clean air for once, barring other results go their way.

However, the 2-0 victory at home to Wigan, their most recent result, doesn’t gloss over the fact that Hull are seriously struggling for form and for points. The fans have already had to endure five defeats from eight games, some of those being embarrassing at that. The defence is shipping goals left-right- centre and they currently have the worst defensive record in the league, conceding 20 goals in just eight games. That’s nearly an average of 3 goals every game.

To make matters worse they aren’t scoring enough either. They may have only failed to score once this season, that coming at home to Birmingham, but only once this term, have they found the net on more than one occasions in a game, that being their most recent success at home to Wigan Athletic. Their goal tally is currently 8-20, which makes for awful reading, and they are a side almost certain to be in the relegation mixer come May next year.

Hull haven’t won in nine away outings in the league, stretching back to March earlier this year. While on that dire away run they have shipped a whopping 20 goals, scoring just 6 in return. That’s a dreadful statistic to have under your belt and one, amongst several others, that makes Fulham a pretty stunning bet, although the fact that Hull did beat them last term is a cause for concern.

Head-to-Head:

Fulham W: 0 Hull City W: 2 Draws: 0

As we’ve mentioned in the above previews, Hull completed a double over Fulham last term beating them at both the KC stadium and at Craven Cottage, the latter is the venue for this encounter. Hull recorded a narrow 1-0 victory at the Cottage last season and they were seriously struggling at time as well, that win ending a run 11 games without a win.

Match Verdict:- Fulham to WIN – 7/10 PaddyPower

Everything bar last seasons results points towards a home win here. Fulham have the better side, slightly better form and a pretty decent home record overall. Hull have been woeful on the road of late, suffering some really big defeats while on their travels this season. Another concern for our pick is that Damien Duff has picked up a knock whilst playing for the Republic of Ireland but he should be fit for the arrival of Hull. He has been a lively character down the flank for Fulham and the fans, as well as us, are hoping he is fit enough to start for Fulham as he has been Fulham’s main source of creativity this season.

Match Odds:

Fulham – 7/10 PaddyPower

Hull City – 9/2 SkyBet

Draw – 11/4 Boylesports

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Fulham Half-Time/Full-Time – 13/8 PaddyPower