Premier League: Norwich host Fulham with both sides desperate for improvement
Last Updated: February 8, 2013 11:44am
Martin Jol and Chris Hughton: Teacher and pupil meet at Carrow Road
Fulham's visit to Norwich on Saturday gives Chris Hughton the chance to pit his wits against his mentor Martin Jol in this battle of two of the Premier League's out of form sides.
Hughton, who was assistant to Jol at Tottenham, looked to have turned around the clubs fortunes after a slow start, masterminding a ten match unbeaten run, which included victory over runaway league leaders Manchester United.
However, the Canaries have been in free-fall since, and are now without a win in their last eight Premier League encounters.
Having bolstered his striking options in the January window, Hughton will be hoping his side will start to find the net again, after netting only once in their last four Premier League outings.
On the otherhand, Fulham are struggling for form themselves, winning just three of their last 17 league matches, and without a cleansheet for 11 games, their longest run without one in the top flight, Jol will be feeling the heat.
Although they slipped to yet another defeat, The Cottagers' boss can take heart from their vastly improved performance against Manchester United last time out, but knows his side need to get back on the winning trail as soon as possible.
He will also be buoyed by Fulham's incredible record against the Canaries, winning nine of the last 11 meetings in all competitions, and victory will see his side pull three points clear of Saturday's opponents.
Norwich
Midfielders Anthony Pilkington and Alex Tettey are suffering from hamstring and knee problems respectively, but could be fit in time to face Fulham.
Ryan Bennett is fit again and Hughton reported a clean bill of health after his players returned from the midweek internationals.
Meanwhile, loan signing striker Kei Kamara has commenced training following his move from Sporting Kansas City in the MLS but lacks match practice and Hughton will delay assessing whether he might feature against the Cottagers.
Fulham
Dimitar Berbatov faces a fitness test on his hamstring ahead of his side's trip to Carrow Road.
Urby Emanuelson could make his first start if the Bulgarian misses out, while Martin Jol is still to assess the fitness of his 12 players who spent midweek on international duty, with Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz only expected to return on the eve of the trip to Norwich.
Steve Sidwell (knee) and Kieran Richardson (calf) are available again, new signings Stanislav Manolev and Eyong Enoh are unlikely to feature after being made to wait for their work permits, while Mahamadou Diarra (both knee) and Kerim Frei (pelvis) remain out.
Opta Stats
- Fulham have won nine and lost none of the last 11 meetings with Norwich in all competitions.
- After a 10-match unbeaten run (W6 D4 L0), Norwich City have won none of their last eight Premier League matches (W0 D3 L5).
- The Whites have won just three of their last 17 Premier League matches (W3 D6 L8).
- Norwich have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League games and netted just once in the other game against Spurs.
- Damien Duff has scored in three of his five Premier League games against Norwich and in two of three while playing for Fulham.
Previous game's starting line-ups
4-5-1
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1
Ruddy
-
3
Whittaker
-
2
Martin R
-
24
Bennett R
-
18
Garrido
-
7
Snodgrass
-
4
Johnson B
-
8
Howson
-
12
Pilkington
-
14
Hoolahan
-
9
Holt
Team taken from Norwich vs Man City (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013
4-4-2
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1
Schwarzer
-
27
Riether
-
4
Senderos
-
5
Hangeland
-
3
Riise JA
-
16
Duff
-
12
Frimpong
-
31
Kacaniklic
-
33
Enoh
-
9
Berbatov
-
11
Ruiz
Team taken from Fulham vs Swansea (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013
Latest Poll
Matches
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Barclays Premier League
Table
Barclays Premier League
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United | 38 | 89 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 38 | 78 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 38 | 75 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 38 | 73 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 72 |
| 6 | Everton | 38 | 63 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 38 | 61 |
| 8 | West Bromwich Albion | 38 | 49 |
| 9 | Swansea City | 38 | 46 |
| 10 | West Ham United | 38 | 46 |
| 11 | Norwich City | 38 | 44 |
| 12 | Fulham | 38 | 43 |
| 13 | Stoke City | 38 | 42 |
| 14 | Southampton | 38 | 41 |
| 15 | Aston Villa | 38 | 41 |
| 16 | Newcastle United | 38 | 41 |
| 17 | Sunderland | 38 | 39 |
| 18 | Wigan Athletic | 38 | 36 |
| 19 | Reading | 38 | 28 |
| 20 | Queens Park Rangers | 38 | 25 |
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