TEAM NEWS
In an otherwise fully-fit squad, manager Claudio Ranieri is expected to pick only one of Ryan Sessegnon or Andre Schurrle in attack.
Midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is Fulham’s only injured player, but he could return from an ankle problem to face Arsenal on New Year’s Day.
Huddersfield Town have no new injury concerns but a raft of long-term absentees remain out. Aaron Mooy, Tommy Smith and Abdelhamid Sabiri are among those still sidelined.
MOTD COMMENTATOR’S NOTES
@martfisher1: Even though we’ve only just reached the halfway stage of the season, I don’t think it’s too early to describe this game as a relegation six-pointer.
However, locked in the bottom two with just two wins each, it’s difficult to see an escape route for either side. Perhaps Fulham look slightly better equipped, having managed two successive draws as Claudio Ranieri addresses their leaky defence.
After six defeats in a row it’s difficult to offer any hope for Huddersfield. They’ve only scored 12 goals all season and, with star player Aaron Mooy missing through injury, the future looks bleak.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT
Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri on Ryan Sessegnon: “He needs more experience and to play more. We need to look at what happens when he’s on the bench because he’s a very good player.
“He has to improve his strength because when there’s a tackle, he’s not so strong. He must understand this and be a little more aggressive. He’s young, but is very good.”
Huddersfield head coach David Wagner: “Having the games come so quickly gives us more chances to turn this run around.
“We’re in a very busy period and we’re the only ones who can improve our situation. Nobody gives you a present in the Premier League.
“I don’t have to tell any lies. Anybody who has seen our games praises our performances but we don’t put pressure on opponents by scoring goals.”
LAWRO’S PREDICTION
This will be another close one, but I am expecting Fulham to come out on top.
Prediction: 2-0
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- This is the first top-flight meeting at Craven Cottage between these sides since 1952, with Fulham having never lost to Huddersfield at home in this division (W2, D1).
- Huddersfield’s 1-0 win in the reverse fixture in November was their first victory in 12 league matches against Fulham (D4, L7).
- Fulham have lost just one of their last 10 home league games against Huddersfield, winning five and drawing four.
Fulham
- Fulham’s record of two wins, five draws and 12 defeats is their worst after 19 matches of a league season.
- Their tally of 11 points is five fewer than at the halfway stage of their most recent Premier League campaign in 2013-14.
- Fulham have conceded in all but one of their last 23 Premier League fixtures.
- They have won just once in 16 Premier League matches (D5, L10)
- However, under Claudio Ranieri they have picked up six points in seven league outings, having earned just five in the previous 12.
- Fulham have failed to score in an unrivalled nine Premier League games this season, and have kept the fewest clean sheets (one).
Huddersfield Town
- Huddersfield are only the fourth team in Premier League history to lose six matches in one calendar month.
- Six successive losses is their worst league sequence since a similar run in 1992.
- They could match the club record of seven successive league defeats, last set in 1955.
- The Terriers have scored 12 goals in 19 league games this season, fewer than any other team.
- They have won only one of their eight away Premier League games this season, keeping one clean sheet.
- Huddersfield are currently bottom of the Premier League with 10 points. At this stage last season, they were 11th with 22 points.
Source: BBC News
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