Spurs to falter at Fulham
Fulham need to start closing the gap to avoid being cut adrift at the bottom. Facing an under-strength Spurs provides the ideal opportunity.
Ranieri at home at the Cottage
Claudio Ranieri has now been in charge of Fulham for ten league games. Little has come of their five fixtures on the road with a solitary point equal to that of his predecessor Slavisa Jokanovic.
In that respect little progress has been made but there’s been enough of an upturn in results at Craven Cottage to suggest Fulham have a fair chance of staying up. Eight points from a potential fifteen isn’t the worst return, a defeat to West Ham prior to Christmas the only blotch on his record so far.
Crucial wins against fellow strugglers Southampton and Huddersfield on home soil have helped keep the Whites in touch with the clutch of sides above them. And with their problems away still persisting, it looks as if the Cottage will play a decisive role in deciding Fulham’s fate.
Nightmare comes true for Spurs
The news every Tottenham fan feared was coming is now a reality. Talisman, skipper and goal machine Harry Kane is out of action with ankle ligament damage for a lengthy period which could span up to 12 games.
There’s no disguising this as a game changer in terms of Spurs’ season. From being considered as potential title challengers, you have to say Spurs now face a battle to hold onto their place in the top four without the player they rely on most.
Not there’s a good time for your best player to get injured but the injury to Kane has been compounded further by the absence of Son. In recent weeks the South Korean has shown what he can contribute when given a run in the side. Yet, his involvement in the Asian Games also rules him out of contention for a side now looking desperately short on firepower.
Fulham’s luck about to turn?
Ranieri didn’t hold back in his assessment of Fulham’s latest defeat at Burnley claiming the Clarets were hugely fortunate to take the points at Turf Moor. In truth, his point is valid when you consider the hosts scored two without having a single shot on target!
His side were in contention for points for the most part at the Emirates the week before too, causing Arsenal plenty of problems only to be undone in the final ten minutes. Signs of improvement have been evident of late for Fulham but the rub of the green has eluded them.
With Spurs beset by injuries, Fulham now have the chance to take advantage of some fortune of their own.
Betting tip
There hasn’t been the shift in the odds I was expecting in light of the news regarding Kane. Spurs are still strong favourites.
But prior to their loss against Man United I mentioned how Spurs are lacking the numbers to compete on four fronts and the situation has worsened still.
Not seeing Kane on the team sheet will automatically boost Fulham who I see improving their survival prospects with a positive result.
Nick’s tip: Fulham +0.5 AH @ best market odds (at time of writing) of 6/5 (2.19)
