Premier League preview: Fulham v West Brom

Fulham and West Bromwich Albion will both be keen to put FA Cup disappointment behind them when they meet in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Both sides suffered defeats in the FA Cup fourth round, with neither outfit looking sharp up front, something that will need to change in order to claim three points at Craven Cottage.

Fulham will be particularly frustrated at being eliminated from the iconic competition after their 2-1 defeat at Everton on Friday.

Martin Jol selected a strong side with plenty of attacking quality to take on Everton but the Dutchman’s forwards created surprisingly little and could only manage a goal from the penalty spot.

On-loan attacker Landon Donovan was the star for Everton, setting up both goals for the home side.

West Bromwich Albion faced a different kind of problem in their 2-1 loss to Norwich City on Saturday.

Playing away from home, West Brom created the bulk of the game’s chances but lacked a cutting edge and were eventually beaten by an 84th-minute strike from Simeon Jackson who capitalised on a defensive error by Craig Dawson.

Debutant goalkeeper Jed Steer was a key player in Norwich’s victory making a string of crucial saves including two in the final minutes that his manager Paul Lambert labelled ‘world class’.

After 22 matches in the 2011/12 season, Fulham are in 12th place in the Premier League on 26 points, with West Brom just a point behind in 15th position.

Wednesday’s game will be the first time West Brom boss Roy Hodgson has sat on the bench at Craven Cottage since he left Fulham in July 2010, and he will hope his side can continue its good away form in the league, which has seen them claim 17 points from 11 games.

But Hodgson’s side could be significantly undermanned with winger Jerome Thomas and Chilean defender Gonzalo Jara struggling with injuries sustained against Norwich.

If they miss out they would join a lengthy injury list that includes other usual starters Chris Brunt, Paul Scharner and Steven Reid.

Fulham are set to welcome back crafty attacker Moussa Dembele from injury, which would further bolster the home side’s attacking brigade that has scored eight goals in three league games since New Year’s Day.