Fulham V Tottenham Hotspur Betting: FA Cup Quarter-Final

FA Cup: Quarter-Final

Fulham V Tottenham Hotspur

Kick-Off: Saturday, 6^th March – 17:15 GMT

TV Coverage: ITV1

Fulham

FA Cup Odds: 14/1 Ladbrokes

Roy Hodgeson was said to have been chuffed to bits, well in as many words, with Fulham’s draw at Sunderland on Sunday after an enthralling week and an arduous month of February. Not only was Sunday’s trip to Sunderland a mere 72 hours after their gruelling and lengthy trip the Ukraine after beating Shakhtar Donestk in the Europa League but it was also their eighth fixture within a month, so to go up North to Tyneside and get anything from the game was an amazing achievement for what is still a small time Premiership club.

We mean to disrespect to anyone at the club when we claim Fulham are a small club as that is our honest view on the London side in comparison to what is a league growing in stature. Their squad is tiny compared to others, while their budget is nothing in comparison to the majority in the league, even those below them in the table which just goes to show either how far Fulham have come or that the Cottagers are punching well above their weight. We’d be more inclined to think the first as Fulham, under the wise know-how of a managerial great in Roy Hodgeson, have proven a tough cookie in recent season and are no longer a relegation threatened club. They are instead far more reliable in that their performances are more consistent and their end-of-season finishes are now more respectable.

The problem for Fulham, and it’s been an ever present one from the day they first joined the Premiership, is that their form on the road isn’t up to the standard required. In the early days, several years back now, Fulham were scraping through seasons by the skin of their teeth because of their superb home form. Years down the line and their home form is even better, leading to more potential honours and better player form. However, their away form is still as bad as ever so these home games are crucial in building up confidence ahead of tricky away fixtures, and with Fulham out on the road once again after this FA Cup affair, winning on Saturday is so important in building up ahead of steam, especially as their very next league fixture is away at Old Trafford against the Carling Cup winners, Manchester United.

I was astounded when I heard Fulham had played more competitive games thus far than the likes of the ‘Big Four’ which just highlights the fantastic job Roy Hodgeson and his team have done this season, as well as the tremendous form and fitness levels of the Fulham squad. However, while it will be nearly a week since they last played, you would have to feel this long, endurance testing season will take affect soon enough and an encounter with a pacey and exuberant Tottenham Hotspur side isn’t ideal. However, they’re fortunate enough in that they were drawn at home at Craven Cottage, a venue they’ve lost just three times at all season, so can a capacity crowd at the Cottagers push their side, whom have lost just one of their last eleven home games against Premiership opposition; including a 0-0 draw with Spurs, onto victory, one that would be rewarded with a Semi-Final date with Wembley.

Tottenham Hotspur

FA Cup Odds: 5/1 BetFred

The strength in depth at Tottenham makes the club almost perfect for cup competition, and they’ve been proving that this season with a decent little run in the Carling Cup and this run in the FA Cup, one which is in jeopardy against a home orientated Fulham. However, unlike their London adversary’s, Tottenham do boast a win in their last game, one which could spark Spurs onto a memorable win at Craven Cottage, and it will need to be memorable if they are to overcome The Cottagers on their own patch.

Harry Redknapp was found bemoaning his teams injury problems after Tottenham’s hard-fought victory over Everton at the weekend; winning 2-1. It was actually a reality check for us in that even we have forgotten just how flooded the Tottenham physio room must be at the present time. While only a handful are certain to miss Saturday’s trip across London; Johnathan Woodgate, Ledley King, Carlo Cudicini, Redknapp has doubts over as many as nine first team players. David Bentley, Aaron Lennon and now Tom Huddlestone are all serious doubts for Saturday’s crunch fixtures, while Jermaine Jenas is a definite no-no. That injury room of theirs must be cluttered, and while they’re enjoying a bit of luck on the field, they could do with plenty more off it. 

In Tottenham’s last competitive outing, it was a tale of two halves as Tottenham dominated the opening 45 minutes with Everton, scoring two first half goals through a resurgent Pavlychenko and Luka Modric in what should have been far more for the home side. However, Tottenham clearly underestimated their opponents and their arrogance so nearly got the better of them as they fell asleep during the second half and could count themselves very lucky to have walked away from White Hart Lane with all the spoils after the visitors missed a host of chances. Spurs are due their bit of good luck, that little rub of the green, but they can ill-afford to think the football Gods will shine down on them forever as a similarly lacklustre effort at Craven Cottage this weekend would almost certainly see them punished.

Tottenham are a team full of confidence, however, and were they to emulate their first half performance against Everton, then they should go close. However, their second half no-show was a huge concern and it does cast awful memories of their shocking start to the game at Bolton in the previous round, with their sluggish start almost costing them dear. They did get away with it but they won’t against a clinical Fulham, so it’s imperative Harry Redknapp gets his starting eleven fired up for this clash right from the off. It’s a tough game for Spurs but it’s a draw they will certainly fancy themselves to get through providing they approach it in the right manner, with a professional attitude.

Match Verdict: Draw – 3.40 SkyBet

This was probably the hardest of the four ties to weight up in that Fulham are tremendously strong at Craven Cottage while we don’t see Tottenham going out just yet. The only remaining outcome is a draw with Tottenham completing the job back at White Hart Lane in a replay. That doesn’t look a too bad punt in all fairness considering Tottenham have progressed via replays in the previous two rounds. Fulham, however, have had by far and away the easiest run of all the teams still standing, with Spurs being their first Premiership opposition of the competition thus far. Will Fulham crumble against their first real test of the tournament to date or will they leave to fight another day; by that of a win or a draw.

Match Odds:

Fulham – 3.00 SkyBet

Draw – 3.40 SkyBet

Tottenham Hotspur – 2.40 PaddyPower