Fulham ended 2014 with a disappointing 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Brighton, goals from Adrian Colunga and Solly March gave the away side their first win in eight games after the dismissal of manager Sami Hyppia.
Match Preview
Fulham
Fulham are slowly showing signs of promise after an appalling start to the season under Felix Magath, but in Kit Symons they have a manager who knows the club, the players and his style of play suits the Cottagers. It has still been quite an inconsistent season for Fulham with three wins and three losses in their last six encounters. A dismal 5-0 home loss to Watford before beating Leeds 1-0 and Sheffield Wednesday 4-0, then two consecutive 2-0 losses to Bournemouth and Brighton respectively. But with Ross McCormack and Hugo Rodallega upfront they pose a threat to any side in the league.
Two consecutive defeats for Fulham ended their roller coaster year of 2014. They sit in 17th place, nine points behind today’s opponents in 8th, and the Cottagers are looking to take revenge on a Wolves side who came to Craven Cottage in August and won – thanks to a goal from Bakary Sako.
Wolves
Wolves are slowly on the mend back towards the top end of English football having been promoted from League 1 last season. Kenny Jackett’s side are unbeaten in their last four games and have taken a total of ten points from a possible 12. Wolves narrowly defeated Brentford at Molineux on their last outing. Nouha Dicko put the home side ahead before James Tarkowski’s own goal doubled the lead. Danny Batth turned into his own net late on but Wolves hung on. Wolves were dumped out by Oldham Athletic in the first round of the FA Cup last season, after a replay at Molineux, the Latics were victorious 2-1.
Match Stats
Wolves’ win at Craven Cottage in August was their first away victory over Fulham since 1999
Wolves haven’t won in the Cup in the capital since 1979 when they beat Crystal Palace 1-0
Team News
Lasse Vigen Christensen (hamstring), Tim Hoogland (hernia) and Fernando Amorebieta (knee) all miss out for Fulham with their respective injuries, and Ryan Tunnicliffe is ineligible having returned from his loan spell at Blackburn, but Bryan Ruiz will undergo a late fitness test.
Danny Graham has returned to Sunderland and won’t feature following the end of his loan spell, and Kevin McDonald (suspension) and Kortney Hause (cup-tied) also miss out, but Scott Golbourne is close to a return but may not feature as he recovers from his foot injury.
Prediction
I think it will be a close game and Fulham will want to give their fans a positive start to 2015, although Wolves look an exciting force with Bakary Sako and Nouha Dicko so a replay could be forced.
Fulham 2-1 Wolves
