please log in to view this image Fulham v Sunderland please log in to view this image KO 14.00 Sunday 6th May Craven Cottage please log in to view this image TEAM NEWS Fulham are hopeful Martin Jol will be back in the dugout after a chest infection caused him to miss the games against Everton and Liverpool. Striker Andy Johnson is again ruled out with a thigh problem. Sunderland's John O'Shea and striker Nicklas Bendtner are major doubts after they both picked up foot injuries in training this week. Midfielder Craig Gardner is available after serving a one-match ban, but Titus Bramble is not yet fully fit. MATCH PREVIEW After the starts to the season that both these clubs endured, it's a testament to their efforts that they are not concerned with the remarkable relegation permutations at the bottom. This will be Fulham's 53rd game of a season that began back at the end of June in qualifying for the Europa League. That was a far from ideal scenario, particularly with a new manager in charge - and questions were already being asked when they failed to win any of their opening six games. Martin Jol has since put his stamp on the team and whatever happens in the last two games, he will be satisfied with his first campaign in charge. Indeed, they are one of the form teams in the league recently, taking 13 points from their last 15, and are fresh from their first-ever top-flight win on Merseyside in the week. Fulham have already matched last season's points tally under Mark Hughes, and if they could manage to win this one and beat Spurs on the final day, they would record their highest-ever points tally in the Premier League. After just two wins from their first 13 matches, a comfortable mid-table finish for Sunderland looked a distant prospect. But the upturn in form since the arrival of Martin O'Neill, who has lost just six of his 22 matches in charge, means that the picture looks a lot more positive as are thoughts looking ahead to next season. Martin O'Neill has only ever finished in the bottom half of the table once in his eight seasons in the Premier League, and he would see a top 10 finish now as a pleasing achievement Sunderland have only won twice in their last 12 matches but prior to that it was an incredible run of five wins in six that settled everyone's nerves on Wearside. They are being guided by a manager who is used to looking up - O'Neill has only ever finished in the bottom half of the table once in his eight seasons in the Premier League, and he would see a top 10 finish now as a pleasing achievement. And they certainly won't be allowed to take their eye off the ball with Manchester United visiting the Stadium of Light on the final day of the season. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head Four of the last seven meetings between these two sides have been 0-0 draws, including at the Stadium of Light earlier this season. Sunderland have not scored in any of the last five meetings between the teams - and have only scored one goal in the last seven meetings. Fulham Fulham have won four of their last six Premier League games. Fulham have profited from a league-high five own goals this season, including against Liverpool last Tuesday. With two matches of this season remaining, Fulham already have as many points as they did at the end of last season (49). Two wins would see them set their highest-ever points tally in the Premier League. Their previous best was 53 points in the 2008-09 season, when they finished 7th, their highest-ever position. This will be Martin Jol's 150th Premier League match as a manager. Use accessible player and disable flyout menus Sunderland Sunderland have drawn five of their last six Premier League matches. The Black Cats have failed to win any of their last six away league games (D3, L3). Three of Sunderland's last five Premier League matches have ended 0-0. Niklas Bendtner has netted five of Sunderland's last 10 league goals but he has never scored against Fulham.
Don't hear them bitching about tiredness............. Is Dempsey playing? one of the most under estimated players in the league.....
I have a feeling it will be Mig Bardo..Turner..Kilgallon..Colback Elmo..Catts..Gardner..Mclean Sess..Campbell
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/04/squad-sheets-fulham-sunderland Both Fulham and Sunderland will be looking for the three points that would virtually guarantee a top-10 finish but the form of these teams could not be more different. The hosts have taken 13 points from their last six Premier League games, including a first ever win at Anfield in midweek. By contrast, Martin O'Neill's side have not had a victory since 24 March and are playing very much like a side with one eye on their summer holidays. For the visitors, John O'Shea and Nicklas Bendtner face late fitness tests on their respective injuries. Rich Flower Venue Craven Cottage, Sunday 2pm Tickets £30-40 (0843 208 1234 ) Last season Fulham 0 Sunderland 0 Referee Martin Atkinson This season's matches 25 Y86, R9, 3.80 cards per game Odds Fulham 10-11 Sunderland 18-5 Draw 13-5 Fulham v Sunderland: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic Fulham Subs from Stockdale, Baird, Orlando Sá, Kasami, Senderos, Gecov, Etuhu, Frei, Briggs, Kacaniklic, Trotta, Halliche Doubtful Kelly (wrist) Injured Davies (hip, Aug), Etheridge (wrist, Aug), Grygera (knee, Aug), Johnson (groin, Aug), Ruiz (foot, Aug), Sidwell (hernia, Aug) Suspended None Form guide WLWDWW Disciplinary record Y52 R0 Leading scorer Dempsey 16 Sunderland Subs from Mignolet, Westwood, Ji, Bridge, Kilgallon, Kyrgiakos, Vaughan, Meyler, Campbell, Lynch, Bramble Doubtful Bendtner (foot), Bramble (calf), O'Shea (foot) Injured Brown (knee, Aug), Larsson (groin, Aug), Richardson (groin, Aug), Wickham (ankle, unknown) Suspended None Form guide DDDLDD Disciplinary record Y58 R3 Leading scorer Bendtner 8 Match pointers ⢠The last three league games between these sides at Craven Cottage have produced a total of just one goal ⢠If selected, Phil Bardsley will be making his 150th appearance in the top flight ⢠If Fulham win their last two games they will set their highest ever Premier League points total, beating their previous best of 53 set in 2008-09 ⢠Sunderland have blocked more opposition shots (174) than any other side ⢠Fulham are the only team in the division not to have had a player sent off this season â although Jack Rodwell's red card for Everton against Liverpool has been rescinded
that usless tw..t from the ars is injured come on give it a go with any body in the club who can put one foot in front of the other best news for ages
Bit of an anti climax this game, we should be looking to grip 8th/9th place not hanging on to 11th/12th got a feeling we could get beat but, we are due a result against Fulham pity most of the last few games have ended 0-0 with them so 0-0 looks about right.
Oh well. Come on Ji lad, shut some of these up.......... O'Shea rb.............ffs Gardner rw...we'll see, may worj out, hope so. Catts/Colback in c/m...............no no no. Don't see much joy though, looking at that team.
Looking at the team its gonna be a big fat 0 today Oshea at rb is suicide, gardner on the right of midfield? Glad to see Ji get a crack
Just listening to Barnes and Bennett on radio and both think we are in for a rebuild. Barnes said picking up from interviews with MON he feels he will bring in a minimum of 6 players plus replace any sold. They also think last weekend was Gordons last game for us.
God i hope you are right about Ji but i aint so sure. Maybe KIlla will be left back, bardo right back and Oshea in the middle could be a better balance. I think Catts and Colback could work together but we would need somebody like Mosses on the right to make that work, Gardener is too similar. Surprised Campbell isint starting not much pace in the team at the moment.
