Premier League: West Ham v Fulham match preview

A look ahead to the weekend’s fixture at Upton Park

Brede Hangeland is expected to be sidelined for Fulham (GETTY IMAGES)

Further spice has been added to this London derby as both sides need the win even more, locked on 10 points in 17th and 18th place.

West Ham have only won twice all season and Fulham have lost four games on the bounce, meaning both sides are desperate for a win to take them away from the relegation places. The issue of West Ham playing without a recognised striker has been highlighted a lot this season and this is reflected in their lowly goal total of nine. Fulham have scored 11 but conceded a hefty 21 and have lost seven of their last 10 Premier League games. They’ve conceded 11 goals in their last four games, meaning Martin Jol is inevitably under more pressure to produce results. One bright spark for the Hammers this season has been the breakthrough of Ravel Morrison, and they will hope he can carry on his great form and inspire them to victory at Upton Park.

West Ham have a host of injuries including Andy Carroll, Ricardo Vaz Te, Winston Reid and Matt Taylor. Fulham are without Brede Hangeland, Damien Duff and joint top scorer Hugo Rodallega, and will also greatly miss Sascha Riether who is suspended. Both teams could theoretically be in 14 place with a win, which will serve as a big incentive to both sets of players.

KICK-OFF: 3.00pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS

Fulham 3 (Berbatov, Rodallega, O’Brien (OG) West Ham 1 (Nolan), Premier League, January 2013

West Ham 3 (Nolan, Reid, Taylor) Fulham 0, Premier League, September 2012

Fulham 1 (Hughes) West Ham 3 (Cole 2, Piquionne), Premier League, December 2010

STATS

There have been 22 goals in the last 6 Premier League encounters between these two teams.

West Ham have scored the same amount of goals (9), than 9 place Tottenham Hotspur, and Fulham have scored 2 more (11).

Both teams have another London derby in their next Premier League game – Fulham host Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham travel to Crystal Palace.

ODDS

West Ham: 1.9

Draw: 3.5

Fulham: 4.0