Wolves V Fulham

Wolves V Fulham

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 23 April 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Molineux

Wolves were demoted to the bottom of the table after their lack of involvement last weekend, but they have a golden opportunity here to escape the relegation doldrums when they play host to a Fulham side within touching distance of prolonging their tenure in the Barclay’s Premier League – with a win good enough for the Midlands outfit to leap out of the bottom-three providing results elsewhere go in their favour.

Although very few of the teams in close proximity actually won their respective league games last week, Wolves still found themselves bottom of the pile courtesy of their inferior goal difference. The good news, though, is that safety is only a victory away while Mick McCarthy’s side also boast a game in hand over their survival rivals heading into the final few games of the season. However, propping up the table is never good for team spirit, or morale for that matter, and neither is suffering heavy defeats, which is what Wolves have done too much of in recent weeks.

It’s probably just as well Wolves weren’t involved seven days ago as it meant Mick McCarthy enjoyed a good two weeks with his team, nursing them through what has been a demoralising period. It all began with emphatic back-to-back defeats away at Newcastle (4-1) and then Everton at home (1-3) before helplessly sliding into the basement of the Premier League – but they’ve had plenty of time to reflect on where it all went wrong last time out, when putting in their poorest performance of the season thus far at home to Everton on 9 April.

If Wolves are to stave off relegation then Molineux will have a big say in the matter, which makes their 3-0 loss to Everton a fortnight ago an alarming result. Fortunately for them, they have an instant shot at redemption this Saturday, in a fixture which has bared plenty of fruit down the years. In fact, Wolves have a perfect record at home to Fulham in the Premier League, having won the only two previous Molineux meetings 2-1 and 1-0. It also helps that the Cottagers are woeful when it comes to travelling.

Whether it be under former manager Roy Hodgson or current boss Mark Hughes, Fulham still haven’t mastered the art of winning matches away from their spirtual home of Craven Cottage. Last season, under Hodgson, Fulham mustered a pathetic one win from their nineteen away games in the league, an embarrassing statistic which even Mark Hughes is struggling to better. A 2-0 victory over Stoke City at The Brittania on 28 December remains Fulham’s only away triumph of the season, after sixteen away outings, while a 2-0 reverse at Manchester United last time out was their second on the spin on their travels, extending yet another barren away run in the league to seven.

Not even once in a blue moon do Fulham win on their travels, however, they won’t have too many easier away assignments than a trip to Molineux to face rock-bottom and out of form Wolves. It isn’t as though they haven’t produced some decent performances though. In fact, they’ve been superb in all seven of their away encounters in 2011, from what I can remember. Defeats to Everton (2-1), Liverpool (1-0), Man Utd (2-0) and Tottenham (1-0) were all to be expected, yet they lost all four by the slimmest of margins and had chances in each to take something from incredibly difficult outings, while they were superb away at Aston Villa and Manchester City during February, when drawing 2-2 and 1-1 respectively.

So as you can see, Fulham haven’t had it easy on the road in 2011. Saturday’s clash will unquestionably be their easiest of the year, possibly even season, but their record away to Wolves is unsurprisingly lousy – two visits and two defeats – so while this is a definite window of opportunity for a side who require just one more victory in order to see them surge past that magic 40-point milestone which all but guarantees survival, you’d be mad to back Fulham at those odds.

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Head-to-Head (Premier League)

Wolves wins: 2
Draws: 2
Fulham wins: 1

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Fulham 2-1 Wolves
2009/2010: Fulham 0-0 Wolves
2009/2010: Wolves 2-1 Fulham

Streaks & Trends

Wolves have a 100% record at home to Fulham in the Premier League: W2 D0 L0, winning both previous Molineux encounters 2-1.

Wolves, who were unbeaten in four heading into April, have lost both their league fixtures this month, shipping seven goals in the process.

No team has won fewer away matches this season than Fulham (W1 D8 L7), who have secured maximum points on their travels on just one occasion, when beating Stoke 2-0 at the Brittania on 28 December.

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Wolves to WIN – 2.62 VictorChandler

In an ideal world, I wouldn’t have to go anywhere near this fixture. Fulham have put in some eye-catching displays away from home since the turn of the year but are still finding away wins elusive, and at the odds I just cannot see any value whatsoever in Mark Hughes men. Wolves’ recent form is more than just a little disconcerting, it’s alarming considering they’ve been conceding so many cheap goals. However, the two-weeks off they’ve enjoyed should benefit them in the long-run, as not only does Mick McCarthy boast the fresher set of legs, his players will have appreciated the fortnight reprieve following a disastrous couple of results.

As I mentioned in the preview itself, Wolves rely heavily on their passionate home support and if they are to put up a fight for their Premiership status, Molineux is where their resistance is likely to be staged. A combination of home advantage and a revitalised dressing room should see Wolves through a tricky fixture, but one they simply must win if they’re to keep alive their hopes of avoiding the drop, as next up is successive away encounters with Stoke City and Birmingham.

Value Bet: Wolves 1-0 (Correct Score) – 8.00 Bet365

When these two clash there is never a great deal between them, and I suspect their latest duel will be no different. Wolves should edge it, with 1-0 and 2-1 both catching the eye. Considering Fulham struggle to score goals on the road, I’m leaning towards 1-0.  

Match Odds:

Wolves – 2.62 VictorChandler
Draw – 3.30 Coral
Fulham – 2.90 BetFred

Wolverhampton Wanderers V Fulham

Kick-Off: Sunday 20^th September – 14:00 GMT

Venue: Molineux

Wolverhampton Wanderers

League Positon: 16th

Recent Form: LWLDL

Wolves already find themselves in a precarious position after just five games. Just one win in five has left Wolves flirting with the bottom three, with just one point separating them from those currently occupying the three relegation spots. A defeat at home to Fulham could see them return to the relegation zone whereas a win would see them put a bit of breathing space between them and the zone they so desperately want to avoid.

Yet another defeat at the weekend, their third of the season, now means Wolves have gone three matches without a win, with two defeats and a draw in their previous three outings in the league. What’s more of a concern is that Wolves have yet to register a home victory and that’s especially bad as their two home fixtures played to date have been against West Ham and Hull City, both teams, on paper anyway, Wolves could of beaten. However, they could redeem themselves with victory over Fulham who are beatable but this fixture looks a much sterner test then the ones gone before.

Fulham

League Position: 10th

Recent Form: WLLW

Fulham, under Roy Hodgeson, enjoyed a terrific season last year and many were quick to dash hopes of Fulham replicating the form they shown last season. However, although their early form does consist of two wins and two defeats, they have still put in the sort of gallant displays that has reassured us that Fulham will once again embrace the upper half of the table.

Fulham’s two victories came against Portsmouth and Everton, with their win at home to Everton their most recent fixture. Not only will that win do them the world of good in terms of their league status but a win over a side of Everton’s calibre should give the players a deserved confidence boost. The key player in Fulham’s victory over Everton was new signing Damien Duff. The Republic of Ireland international appears to have found his best form despite only featuring twice in a Fulham shirt. He was a persistent nuisance for Everton and his goal in the latter part of the second half was enough to give his side all three points.

If Fulham out in another shift like they did at home to Everton then the London outfit will be very hard to overcome. They looked very solid at back, although Tim Cahill’s headed goal will be a concern, while the pace of Damien Duff in midfield gives Fulham a bit more cutting edge, especially in terms of creativity. The Irishman can carve out a goalscoring opportunity from nothing and both Andy Johnson & Bobby Zamora should profit from Duff this season. Who knows, possibly in this game.

Head-to-Head:

Wolves W: 1 Fulham W: 0 Draws: 1

The pair clashed for the very first time in the Premiership six years ago, back in the 2004/2004 season. A lot has changed since then but for the record, Wolves do have the edge over Fulham, with one win and a draw to their name, earning four points from a possibly six from previous meetings.

Match Verdict: Draw – 12/5 SkyBet

Mick McCarthy and Wolves will look upon their home fixtures as games where they stand the bets chance of earning some vital points. However, strangely enough, their only victory thus far did come away from Molineux, but that rare away win will probably be just that… rare! This is a match where Wolves could earn their second three points of the season but Fulham will also eye this fixture as a glorious opportunity to bolster their point tally and extend their stay in the top ten. This has the makings to be a real tight affair and with Fulham boasting an impressive defence now, this game looks more and more likely to end in a share of the spoils.

Match Odds:

Wolverhampton Wanderers – 6/4 Bet365

Fulham – 19/10 totesport

Draw – 12/5 SkyBet

SoccerBetting Tip: Under 2.5 Goals – 8/11 SkyBet