FULHAM v VILLA

Aston Villa make the trip to capital on Saturday to face Roy Hodgson's Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The visitors will be looking for a much-needed three points if they are to continue their unrealistic top-four charge, but after picking up a draw at Villa Park against Arsenal on Wednesday evening, Martin O'Neill's men could be confident.

Villa are four points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League place, although they do have a game in hand over their London rivals. However, their record in recent seasons doesn't inspire, with only one win in the last six seasons, back in 05/06.

Fulham will not be an easy conquest for the Midlands outfit, especially with a fine home record that has steered them into top-half contention.

They have not lost at Craven Cottage since the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on September 26 and 11 games has passed since this setback. Fulham will proudly look back knowing they have put Liverpool and champions Manchester United handsomely to the sword in this sequence.

Despite this, Fulham's last four Premier League fixtures have all been away from home, and they have lost each one to Chelsea, Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers and Spurs and it is a mini-slump that Hodgson will want to arrest.

Fulham's progress has been hindered with the loss of several key first-team players in recent times.

American star Clint Dempsey, Andrew Johnson and John Paintsil (all knee) will be missing with Paul Konchesky (ankle) struggling to shake off his problem. The 7/4 with Corals and Bl Square, would under normal circumstances appeal for a home win.

However, Villa currently have few injury concerns which must delight O'Neill at this crucial stage of the season, although midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has been ruled out for three months with an ankle problem.

The Villans have secured their place in the final of the Carling Cup after semi-final wins against Blackburn and it was the same side they knocked out of the FA Cup.

A further FA Cup win against Brighton & Hove Albion has put them into the fifth round and after picking up draws with West Ham United and Arsenal, a win at the Cottage would certainly increase team morale as they look to remain unbeaten.

The best bet is to back Villa to win or draw at around the 1/2 mark. We can see them getting some sort of result

Elsewhere, Burnley's Chris McCann may be fit but Graham Alexander is struggling and new signing Danny Fox did not receive clearance in time to play.Andre Bikey is back from the Africa Cup of Nations following Cameroon's exit.

Chelsea duo Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou have also returned from Angola but will not be considered until the trip to Hull on Tuesday. Juliano Belletti remains sidelined by a knee problem, so Deco may continue as a makeshift holding midfielder.

A loss today will see Burnley slip further into the mire, and they haven't won in the league since October. The even money we reccomended about relegation has long gone, and Brian laws will still be waiting for his first win in charge come 5.00pm. At 3/10 best for an away though, Cheslea are no bet.

Hull City's Jimmy Bullard is close to a first-team return, but the club has confirmed he will not play on Saturday. Amr Zaki faces a late fitness test on a hamstring strain, while Dean Marney, Geovanni, Kamel Ghilas and Kamil Zayatte are all doubtful.

Wolves may decide to hand a first start to new signing Geoffrey Mujangi Bia if he shrugs off a tight hamstring.
Stefan Maierhofer is fit after a hernia problem, but David Edwards, Andy Keogh and Michael Kightly are still out.

We have a sneaky suspicion that Hull may be a bit better than their bare form. they are certainly much better at the KC where they have won 15 of 19 points. They were murdered by Wayne Rooney last week, but Wolves posses no striker of that calibre. The price about a home win looks too big at 13/10 with Boyles.

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge is in contention to return from an eight-week lay-off with a knee injury.Emmanuel Adebayor is poised to make his 100th Premier League start, while Kolo Toure is back from international duty.

Portsmouth hope to get international clearance in time to play loan signing Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. Manager Avram Grant is still without his Africa Cup of Nations contingent, but Jamie O'Hara has rejoined the club on loan from Tottenham.

City cannot be opposed and its a case of how many. With quotes of 2/7 the home win, the value may be to go against the tide and take unders at 5/4. Pompey's only hope is a rearguard action.

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Published 29-01-2010

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