Fulham Look To Pile Misery On Blackpool

It`s the mother of all basement battles in the Championship tonight (5th November) as Lee Clark takes his Blackpool side to Fulham`s Craven Cottage for his second game in charge. The men in tangerine will be aiming to put an end to their four game losing streak by picking up points against Kit Symons` team who have recorded four wins in nine league games since the 43 year old replaced the eccentric Felix Magath back in September.

Important victories over fellow strugglers Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers have seen Fulham move from the Championship`s bottom spot to 21st position. A further win tonight would see the Cottagers rise to as high as 17th, putting three points between themselves and the dreaded drop-zone. With a meagre six points, however, Blackpool are nine points from safety though a win against new manager Clark`s former side will be sure to boost confidence amongst the Seasiders` ranks.

A goal in each half saw Geordie Clark`s first game in the North-West end in defeat against play-off hopefuls Ipswich Town. His side had no answers as David McGoldrick bagged his fifth goal of the season in the 26th minute before a second half goal from the league`s joint top scorer Daryl Murphy sealed the result. Blackpool have failed to score in 270 minutes with the team only netting eight times in 15 games. As a result, the away club are 6/5 with bet365, betway and Bwin to continue their profligate ways against the men in white tonight.

In stark contrast, with 22 goals scored, Fulham are one of the league`s highest scorers despite their lowly position. Such attacking flair couldn`t help them lose a one goal lead against Wigan Athletic on Saturday, however, as a late Bryan Ruiz penalty was needed to share the spoils in a dramatic 3-all draw.

Wigan`s Adam Forshaw broke the deadlock with a ninth minute spot kick before Lasse Vigen Christensen levelled and Bryan Ruiz grabbed his first to see the London side take the lead in the space of eight minutes. A second half goal from Roger Espinoza saw the game tied again as Ross McCormack saw red after a second yellow card. Shaun Maloney`s strike with eight minutes to go made sure it was squeaky bum time for the away contingent though a trip in the box saw Latics defender Leon Barnett dismissed and allowed Ruiz to convert the penalty for his second of the game.

With the home advantage and superior league standing, in-form Fulham are the current 7/12 favourites with Betbright to send the Pool back to the coast with empty pockets. A draw can be backed at 10/3 with bet365 whilst an unlikely away victory is available at 11/2 with a number of bookmakers.

The Cottagers job will be made that little bit harder with the absence of four-goal McCormack who serves his one match suspension tonight, though they can rely on the experience of Ruiz, Hugo Rodallega and young Corey Woodrow. It is former Wigan man Rodallega who is the current favourite to break the deadlock, available at 5/1 with paddy Power. Otherwise Woodrow can be backed at 11/2 at numerous bookmakers whilst Ruiz is 7/1 (Betvictor, paddy Power) to score first against one of the leakiest defences in the league.

Clark could call upon new loan signing Jacob Murphy who joined the club from Norwich last week, whilst midfield general David Perkins is expected to be thrown straight back into the first team after serving his one-game suspension for picking up five yellow cards. Youngster Charles Dunne will also be available for selection as the side look for only their second win in all competitions.

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05/11/2014     © Frixo 2026