Fulham entertain Wigan Athletic at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night in a relegation six-pointer.
Both sides look for three points to take them out of trouble
Fulham entertain Wigan Athletic at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night in what could ultimately turn out to be a relegation six-pointer.
Nothing separates the two sides in the table as both have the same number of points and the same goal difference. Significantly Wigan are ahead of the Londoners on goals scored.
Fulham have found goals hard to come by this season scoring just six all campaign, the lowest in the Premier League. Wigan on the other hand boast the Premier League's top marksman in Amir Zaki who has more goals than the Fulham side put together with seven.
Build
Fulham, who lie just a point off the relegation places have not won in four matches but will look to build on their credible draw with Portsmouth at the weekend.
Despite Fulham's poor strike record they may fancy their chances against a Wigan side who have conceded eight goals in three games.
Following the Latics' unfortunate 3-2 defeat at Anfield, Wigan were humiliated 4-0 at home to Aston Villa making the clash with Fulham a chance to bounce back at the first attempt.
The match sees Fulham's Jimmy Bullard face his old side and the midfielder will want to put in a good performance for more than one reason.
Respond
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has recently stated that Bullard will have to up his game if he is to receive another call-up to the England squad and the 30-year-old will be looking to respond.
Seol Ki-Hyeon is a doubt with an injured knee while Toni Kallio looks set to miss out with a virus.
Clint Dempsey could be pushing for a start after coming off the bench against Pompey at the weekend and scoring a late equaliser. But the game looks to have come too soon for Dickson Etuhu as he is pencilled in to return for the reserves next week.
Wigan welcome back winger Antonio Valencia after the Ecuadorian served a one-match ban for his sending off against Liverpool.
Emile Heskey will remain up-front to partner Zaki after the England striker came through the 4-0 defeat to Villa with no complaints over a troublesome hamstring.
The striker will be looking to get on the score sheet after notching just once all season way back in August against Hull City.
Possible starting XI's:
Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Bullard, Gera, Johnson, Zamora.
Wigan:Kirkland, Boyce, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Koumas, Heskey, Zaki.
