Teams are increasingly viewing trips to Craven Cottage with dread. Tottenham must attempt to avoid the fate that has befallen the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool to maintain their pursuit of the top four at a ground where they have not prevailed in the Premier League in seven years. Roy Hodgson’s resurgent side are unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions and unbeaten at home since September, with their former Spurs Bobby Zamora and Danny Murphy ticking over impressively at present. It says everything about the Cottagers’ progress this term that they are only three points off Manchester City, a side who have spent in excess of £200m and entertain serious hopes of breaking into the Champions League positions. Dominic Fifield
Venue Craven Cottage
Tickets £45-60 (0870 442 1234)
Last season Fulham 2 Tottenham 1
Referee S Bennett
This season’s matches 13 Y55, R2, 4.38 cards per game
sportingbet odds Fulham 17-10 Tottenham 27-20 Draw 9-4
Fulham
Subs from Zuberbühler, Stockdale, Kelly, Smalling, Teymourian, Riise, Etuhu, Davies, Seol, Greening, Nevland, Dikgacoi, E Johnson, Elm
Doubtful Davies (calf), Seol (knee)
Injured A Johnson (groin, 2 Jan), Kamara (knee, 2 Jan)
Suspended None
Form guide WDWDWL
Disciplinary record Y21 R1
Leading scorer Zamora 6
Tottenham
Subs from Alnwick, Naughton, Bale, Hutton, King, Jenas, Bentley, Modric, Rose, Giovani, Pavlyuchenko, Keane
Doubtful Bentley (calf), King (knee/hamstring), Modric (ankle)
Injured Woodgate (groin, Jan), Cudicini (wrists/pelvis, unknown)
Suspended None
Form guide WWLDDW
Disciplinary record Y30 R1
Leading scorer Defoe 13
Match pointers
• This is the third year in a row that these sides have faced each other on Boxing Day
• Tottenham have scored 99 goals away from home in Premier League London derbies
• Fulham have picked up the fewest cards so far this season (21 yellow, one red) and are also the only side not to have conceded a penalty
• Tottenham have not won at Fulham in a league encounter since March 2002
• Fulham have taken 16 of a possible 18 points at Craven Cottage since their last home defeat (to Arsenal on 26 September)
FulhamTottenham HotspurPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk
