Fulham vs Huddersfield Town
Date: 29/12/2018
K/O: 15:00
Venue: Craven Cottage
Referee: Kevin Friend
19th placed Fulham play host to 2oth placed Huddersfield in a pivotal clash which could determine who escapes the bottom three.
At the moment there aren’t many teams in the league worse than Huddersfield – but Fulham come the closest. With only one point separating them and a combination of 77 goals conceded between them, it’s fair to say that they both have been far below par after 19 games.
Fulham’s impressive summer spending may have to continue in January if they are to stay up. The newly-promoted side spent over £100 million in the summer, which is significantly more than some established Premier League sides. The club invested in some big names; Jean Michaël Seri and André Anguissa both came from the French League 1, whilst Aleksandar Mitrovic and Alfie Mawson where also snatched up. Individually it’s hard to see that some of these players were worth investing in.
Seri has only one goal and two assists in his 19 Premier League appearances, whilst in eight games for Fulham, Alfie Mawson has been part of a defence that has conceded 22 goals – he has also failed to score. Last season with the Swans he managed nine clean sheets and netted twice.
Since the departure of former boss Slaviša Jokanović, Fulham’s form has picked up. In Claudio Ranieri’s first seven games, his side only suffered defeat three times and will look to avoid defeat again to Huddersfield this weekend.
Both these sides are the only teams in the Premier League who have won just two games, one of those wins came from Ranieri’s first game in charge; a thrilling match against the Saints. Last time out the Cottagers held out for a resilient draw against Wolves. Ryan Sessegnon opened the scoring with a fine goal which was later cancelled by Romain Saiss who tapped in for Wolves. A frustrating game for Fulham, with plenty of chances spurned and a performance to rectify against Huddersfield.
Last time out Huddersfield put up a battling performance at Old Trafford. They had plenty of chances early on, and if it wasn’t for another world-class performance from David De Gea United would have been seriously tested. But their goal came too late. After United had scored three, Mathias Jorgensen swept home a consolation late on. A performance that Wagner will take some motivation from; where many have been swept away by the force of Old Trafford, Huddersfield stood their ground.
Ryan Sessegnon was tipped to emerge as one of the stars this year in the Premier League. The young Englishman registered 16 goals and eight assists in the Championship last year, and has been valued very highly for his age. However, he has still yet to properly find a foothold in the Premier League this year. So far the midfielder has netted twice and assisted three times, which is still credible for such a young athlete – but he looks a shadow of his former performances. Ranieri, who was known for encouraging many young talents at Leicester, may be the key for Sessegnon’s confidence that he needs. A game against bottom of the League is surely a perfect opportunity to get things back on track.
Team News
Andre-Frank Anguissa is Fulham’s only confirmed absentee for the visit of Huddersfield Town, so changes may be pivotal after some good performances against Newcastle and Wolves. Claudio Ranieri also all-but-confirmed that he would continue with a wing-back system after the Cottagers shipped only one goal over the last two matches.
Tom Cairney could return to the starting XI for this match, possibly for Andre Schurrle in Fulham’s front three. The new boss made only one change to his side on Boxing Day, and it seems he may not want to mess with his side who are unbeaten in the last two games. Ranieri said the fit-again Ryan Sessegnon “must improve physically” so the teenage midfielder may also be a substitute despite his goal against Wolves in Gameweek 19.
Huddersfield are still injury stricken with four confirmed out for the clash this weekend. Smith is yet to recover from a hamstring injury and won’t make an appearance. Aaron Mooy is also ruled out for this weekend but may make his return soon. The Australian playmaker was beginning to come into form before his knee injury, bagging a brace against Wolves before the game against Arsenal which has set him out of the previous three. Mooy may return on the third of February, at the earliest, against Burnley.
Sabiri, who was expected to a big summer signing, may also return on the third of February. A shoulder injury has restricted the midfielder to only 48 minutes of football this season and his attacking return would be welcomed by Huddersfield. Willaims has a more serious injury which sets his return back to the 23rd of February. The midfielder obtained a knee injury in the clash against Arsenal weeks ago.
Predicted Starting XI’s
Fulham (3-4-3): Sergio Rico; Odoi, Mawson, Ream; Christie, Chambers, Seri, Bryan; Cairney, Mitrovic, Kamara.
Huddersfield (4-4-1-1): Lössl; Durm, Zanka, Schindler, Kongolo; Kachunga, Hogg, Billing, Mbenza; Pritchard; Mounie.
Score Prediction: Fulham 3 Huddersfield 2
Both teams have shocking defences and are both dying to score an abundance of goals. A bottom of the table clash may spark some inspired individual performances. However, Fulham’s squad looks far more attacking than the Terriers and given the home advantage, it’s hard to see Fulham losing.
