Blackburn’s 2-0 win at Bolton on Sunday ended a run of ten straight defeats on the road for Sam Allardyce’s men and they will arrive at Craven Cottage optimistic that they can make it two away wins in the space of four days for their absent manager. Fulham lost a tight match at Birmingham at the weekend but they expect to be boosted by the return of several key stars including Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff againts his former side.

Quick Check

Fulham

  • Winger Damien Duff is expected to start against his old club after only being a substitute at Birmingham.
  • Defender John Pantsil is also in line to return after being rested at the weekend.
  • Club captain Danny Murphy is hoping for a comeback after a month out with knee trouble.
  • Clint Dempsey has scored in three of Fulham’s last four games.
  • Fulham have won three of their last four home matches in the league.
  • Andy Johnson is again expected to be missing despite returning to training at the start of this week.
  • Fellow striker Diomansy Kamara is doubtful through injury.
  • Fulham’s defence has conceded in ten of their last 11 league matches.
  • The Cottagers haven’t beaten Blackburn at home since February 2002.

Blackburn Rovers

  • Defender Gael Givet is hopeful of overcoming a thigh injury to start.
  • Midfielder David Dunn has scored six goals in ten starts this season.
  • Blackburn are unbeaten in their last eight encounters against Fulham.
  • Rovers won home and away against the Cottagers last term.
  • Blackburn’s weekend win at Bolton ended a run of ten successive away defeats.
  • Boss Sam Allardyce will again be missing as he prepares to undergo heart surgery.
  • Blackburn’s clean sheet against Bolton was their first in nine matches.

Expert Advice

As good as Blackburn have been at home in the last month, they have been dreadful away but that could be about to change following the weekend win over local rivals Bolton. Rovers appear to be playing with added purpose at the moment and, in midfielder David Dunn, they have one of the in-form attacking players in the Premier League who is capable of troubling any side. They are likely to find Fulham a far tougher proposition than Bolton, though, with Roy Hodgson’s side seeking a fourth home win in five games. However, the goals have dried up of late for the London side and a low-scoring affair looks on the cards at Craven Cottage, so Betsson’s price of 1.74 for there to be under 2.5 goals appears a sound bet.

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