Fulham Vs. West Ham

West Ham get back into playing action on Saturday with a trip across the capital to London rivals Fulham, currently lingering in the relegation zone.

The two sides have already met this calender year at Upton Park in January when West Ham ran out 2-1 winners, Dean Ashton and Anton Ferdinand sharing the goals.

The Cottagers have struggled in the league so far this season and have gone through one manager in the form of Lawrie Sanchez and Roy Hodgson’s job is on the line if they were to be relegated.

Fulham will look at the remaining games to attempt to claw their way out of the bottom three having collected just 19 points so far this term, similar to ‘The Great Escape’ seen last season.

Vital Quotes:

Alan Curbishley on the remaining fixtures:
‘You have got to be finishing in the top seven to be in with a shout of Europe.

‘We have a tough March but it is possible. We put an incredible run together last year and who knows?

‘We need to put some wins together in these last 13 games.’

Fulham Team News:

Brian McBride may be in line for a return to action after playing short spells off the bench in the last two games.

Hameur Bouazza and Aaron Hughes could also play a part in the match.

Fulham: Niemi; Stalteri, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Murphy, Andreasen, S Davies, Bullard, Bouazza, Nevland, Stefanovic, Kamara, Bocanegra, Volz, McBride, Smertin, Seol, Healy, Keller.

Player to watch: Brian McBride

One of the reasons why Fulham have struggled so much this season has to be because this man has been out with a long term injury.

On his day, the veteran American striker is a handful for any defence.

Hammers Team News:

Louis Boa Morte could be back from injury to face his former club and there will be no love lost between him and the Fulham fans if he plays.

Mark Noble and Nobby Solano return from injury but Bobby Zamora is still sidelined though should be back soon.

Craig Bellamy is out for six more weeks after a recent abdominal operation and Scott Parker apparently commences training next week.

West Ham: Green, Wright, Neill, Pantsil, Spector, Ferdinand, Upson, Gabbidon, McCartney, Bowyer, Faubert, Ljungberg, Noble, Mullins, Collison, Etherington, Boa Morte, Ashton, Cole, Camara.

Player to watch: Freddie Ljungberg

Has really hit form recently and hopefully the two week FA Cup break is no reason for the Swede to lose his good run of very decent performances.

Ref Watch:

Howard Webb (Yorkshire)

Match Prediction:

Fulham are fighting for their lives, but I don’t think that they’ll be good enough to win. It’s going to be difficult for West Ham, and neither side has played in two weeks so 1-1.