Fulham host Sheffield United on Saturday at Craven Cottage in a massive Premier League six-point clash. Both sides are mired in a relegation fight and three points could be the catalyst to survival.
Scott Parker’s team are 18th in the division with 19 points from 24 matches. Just six points separate them from 17th-placed Newcastle United. Sheffield United, on the other, hand are rock bottom of the league standings. They have taken a mere 11 points from 24 games.
The previous match between the clubs in the division finished 1-1 at Bramall Lane. Ademola Lookman’s 77th-minute goal gave Fulham a short-lived lead as Billy Sharp’s penalty eight minutes later gave Sheffield United a share of the points.
Fulham’s issue has been turning draws into wins. The defence is struggling to hold onto leads, which was evident when the teams met in October at Bramall Lane. Fulham have posted the second-most draws in the Premier League with 10 from 24 matches.
Chris Wilder has five names on his injury list ahead of Saturday’s match in west London. Midfielder Sander Berge is ruled out with an injury and won’t return until next month. Reports on Friday indicate that Berge will likely be sold if and when the club are relegated.
Jack Robinson, Jack O’Connell, John Fleck, and John Egan are all ruled out with various injuries. Wilder’s options are limited in defence and midfield. It is those two areas that were the team’s backbone a season ago.
Aleksandar Mitrovic is ruled out for Fulham after testing positive. Midfielder Tom Cairney is also ruled out due to a long-term injury.
Fulham took seven points from their last 18 on offer. They are unbeaten in three straight games in the league, but goalscoring is an issue for the Cottagers. They bagged just five goals while conceding five to opponents over the course of their last six games.
Sheffield United took six points from their last 18 on offer. They scored just six time in their last six games and conceded 11 times. While Fulham have drawn 10 times in the league, the Blades have seen a mere two draws and 19 losses.
Based on form, neither of these sides are playing well enough to get a win on Saturday. The relegation six-point match is likely to finish in a score draw, just as their match earlier in the campaign at Bramall Lane did.
It should be another low-scoring fixture between the sides with under 2.5 goals and both sides finding the back of the net.