Fulham v Swansea City match preview

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Craven Cottage

Friday 22 November 2013 17:23 GMT

New head coach Rene Meulensteen (left) with fellow Dutchman Martin Jol at Fulham's training ground (Fulham FC)

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Martin Jol’s Fulham side are currently languishing in the relegation zone and in serious trouble of losing their Premier League status. They have lost their last three league games and were on the receiving end of a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Liverpool before the international break.

The news that former Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen joined the Fulham coaching staff last week, ended speculation that he would replace Ian Holloway at the helm of Crystal Palace. Meulensteen was Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant for 12 years, and time will tell if any of that winning ethos will rub off on the Cottagers.

Meanwhile on the pitch, captain Dimitar Berbatov will have to find his goal scoring form if Fulham are to stand any chance of avoiding the drop. But it is mainly the Bulgarian’s perceived lack of effort and commitment which has infuriated the Fulham faithful.

Swansea too find themselves just two points clear of the relegation zone. While it is unlikely that Michael Laudrup’s side will succumb to relegation, the Dane will still want three points on Saturday to keep the Swans necks above water.

Wilfred Bony is likely to be the danger man for Swansea. The Ivory Coast striker has scored four times this season with one assist.

KICK OFF Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS

Fulham 3 (Kacanikilic, Berbatov, Emanuelson) 0 Swansea, Premier League, 19 May 2013.

Fulham 1 (Ruiz) 2 Swansea (Graham, de Guzman), Premier League, 29 December 2012

Fulham 0 3 Swansea (Sigurdsson 2, Allen), Premier League 17 March 2012

STATS

Fulham have won once in the league this season at Craven Cottage.

Dimitar Berbatov has only scored one league goal this season.

Fulham’s joint top goal scorers are Darren Bent, Steve Sidwell and Pajtim Kasami who have two goals each.

Swansea have scored a total of five goals this season in the last 15 minutes.

ODDS

Fulham win – 11/5

Swansea win – 5/4

Draw – 23/10

TV Highlights on BBC 1 at 10.30pm

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Fulham v Swansea City match preview

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Craven Cottage

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