Prediction: Liverpool vs Fulham

17th December 2010

Liverpool produced another disappointing performance as they were beaten by Newcastle at St James Park and the Reds now look to make things right in this game. Fulham recorded their 10th draw of the season as they couldn’t beat Sunderland at home, but I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t mind another stalemate.

I cannot tell you how disappointed I was with Liverpool’s performance at St James Park, so I can only imagine how their fans must have felt like. Their build-up play was completely non-existent and the mere fact they were constantly trying to hoof long balls into the area proves this team have really lost the plot. The Reds could only score one goal, albeit a lucky one, against probably the worst centre-back partnership in the Premiership and with Torres posing no threat to Taylor and Campbell, Liverpool were destined for a defeat. I really can’t see how Roy Hodgson’s team will improve in this match, even if Steven Gerrard recovers from injury, as he will obviously need some time to return to his best. Even when struggling like this season, Fulham remain a tough team to break and the way Liverpool have been playing lately, you can be sure the Cottagers will not be second best at Anfield. Jamie Carragher and Jay Spearing remain sidelined, while Daniel Agger and Steven Gerrard are rated doubtful.

Fulham are clearly underperforming this season, although their showings are certainly better than the results would suggest. Ten draws in seventeen games is too much even for a team as tough as Fulham and the Cottagers would occupy a much higher position if they had turned a couple of those draws into victories. After Birmingham escaped the Craven Cottage with one point, so did Sunderland and now Mark Hughes’ side have got to try and get something from Anfield. This is definitely a good time to be facing Liverpool as the Reds are completely out of form, so even if Fulham do not play a great game, they should be able to avoid defeat. Mark Hughes was hoping to have Moussa Dembele available for the trip to Liverpool but the forward has returned to Belgium to fully recover from an ankle injury, while Zamora, Stoor, Briggs, Halliche and Senderos remain long-term casualties.

Conclusion

Liverpool seem to be all over the place at the moment and I am not convinced they have what it takes to break hard-working Fulham side. The Cottagers are far from impressive at the moment, but they know how to defend and that alone should be enough to avoid defeat at Anfield. I recommend betting on draw.

Verdict: Draw (X)

Best Odds: 3/1

Bookmaker: Victor Chandler