Fulham head into Premier League matchday 26 just three points behind Newcastle United in the race for survival. Scott Parker’s team are unbeaten in four straight games with eight points from their last 12.
On Sunday, Fulham go to Crystal Palace to face off of with an inconsistent side. The Eagles have lost three of their last six matches in the league with three ending in wins, including a 2-1 victory against Brighton on matchday 25.
The Eagles once again have injury issues with eight players potentially missing out this weekend. James McArthur, Connor Wickham, Wilfried Zaha, Jeffrey Schlupp, Mamadou Sakho, Wayne Hennessey, Nathan Ferguson, and James Tomkins are all ruled out as it stands.
Roy Hodgson has always had a large number of injuries since taking over the reins at Selhurst Park. The injuries have not always affected the team terribly, but not having Zaha could be a huge blow to the side against a team fighting for their life in the Premier league.
Parker has just two players on his injury list and neither has negatively affected the club over the course of the last four matches. Tom Cairney remains sidelined with an injury and won’t return in the immediate future. Aleksander Mitrovic is could return following a fitness issue.
Crystal Palace won the reverse fixture 2-1 against Fulham at Craven Cottage in October. The Eagles’ victory was never in doubt going forward as Jairo Riedewald and Zaha scored on either side of halftime. Cairney scored in the 90th minute to pull a goal back but the game was gone by then.
Hodgson’s team took nine points from their last 18 on offer. They scored seven goals but conceded 10 times.
Fulham also took nine points from 18 available scoring six times and allowing five goals. The Cottagers have been better in defence since December as Parker has reined in his back four.
Although Fulham have been playing well over the last six games, they will struggle against Crystal Palace, just as they did at Craven Cottager earlier this season. Crystal Palace are unbeaten in three of their last five home matches.
Fulham have drawn five of their last six games away from home. Just twice have they won away from the Cottage.
Crystal Palace should win at home in a fiery fixture versus Fulham. The win will add pressure to Fulham’s attempt to save their season from relegation.