Sabasports Match Preview
Premier League: Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur
Kickoff Time: 2024-03-17 01:30 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/David Klein
Fulham, having been eliminated from all cup competitions, now faces
the task of avoiding relegation in the league. Currently sitting 14 points
clear of the relegation zone, they are under minimal pressure. As a result,
their recent games have shown an open and offensive approach, prioritizing
attacking tactics over defensive ones. This approach has led to both Fulham and
their opponents having numerous shooting opportunities. Over the past seven
league games, Fulham have averaged more than 16 shots per game. However, this
tactic comes with a risk. If the forward players are not in form, the defense
becomes vulnerable to the opponent’s attacks. In fact, Fulham have only managed
to keep a clean sheet in two of their last seven league matches. Analyzing
their statistics, Fulham’s midfield appears to be their strength, with an
average of 10.7 interceptions per game, ranking them first in the Premier
League in this category. Joao Palhinha, considered their most valuable player,
has made over 100 interceptions this season. He plays a crucial role in the
their counterattacks and acts as the metronome in midfield. If Palhinha is
tightly marked and neutralized by the opposition, Fulham’s attacking threat is
significantly reduced.
Tottenham Hotspur’s performance has seen improvement with the return
of several injured players, securing nine points in their last four league
games. From a technical and tactical standpoint, Tottenham employ a pressing
style of play. Australian head coach Ange Postecoglou emphasizes forward
pressing during defensive phases, instructing the players to step forward and
close down the opposition. The two nearest players are positioned no more than
10 meters apart, effectively shrinking their formation. This strategy aims to
compress the opponent’s space for ball possession and passing, enabling quick
counterattacks once the pressure is successful. Their midfield relies on the
organizational abilities of James Maddison and Yves Bissouma, while Dejan
Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson provide dribbling breakthroughs on the wings.
Heung-min Son plays a supportive role in the front line, resulting in a
three-dimensional offensive approach for Tottenham. During attacks, they
actively involve midfielders and wide players to create scoring opportunities.
In the 27 league matches played so far, Tottenham have scored 59 goals, placing
them behind only Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City, the top three in the
standings, in terms of offensive prowess. Furthermore, Tottenham’s goal
distribution is quite diverse, with eight different players scoring in their
most recent league fixture. This variety in scoring options makes it
challenging for opponents to defend against them.
Tottenham have had a favorable record against Fulham in their previous
11 meetings, with nine wins and two draws. With such psychological advantage
and the return of injured players, Tottehnham Hotspur are more likely to win
this match even on the road.
Fulham’s Last 5 Games: LWWLW
24-03-09 Wolves 2-1 Fulham
24-03-02 Fulham 3-0 Brighton
24-02-24 Manchester United 1-2 Fulham
24-02-17 Fulham 1-2 Aston Villa
24-02-10 Fulham 3-1 Bournemouth
Tottenham Hotspur’s Last 5 Games: WWLWD
24-03-10 Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur
24-03-02 Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Crystal Palace
24-02-17 Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Wolves
24-02-10 Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Brighton
24-02-03 Everton 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Head To Head Record:
23-10-24 Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Fulham
23-08-20 Fulham 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
(PEN 5-3)
23-01-24 Fulham 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
22-09-03 Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Fulham
21-03-05 Fulham 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Prediction: Chelsea to win