Tottenham Faces Fulham After Crucial European Victory
Fresh off a significant midweek win, Tottenham Hotspur heads to Craven Cottage on Sunday to take on Fulham in a Premier League clash. Spurs secured a 3-1 victory against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League round of 16, advancing to the quarter-finals with a strong second-half performance. This win not only kept their European campaign alive but also eased the pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou, whose job had been under scrutiny.
The victory was particularly significant as it marked the first time since December that Postecoglou could field his preferred center-back pairing of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. The duo’s presence bolstered the defense and helped Spurs overcome a 1-0 first-leg deficit. With Eintracht Frankfurt awaiting in the quarter-finals, Tottenham’s focus has shifted firmly to European success.
Domestic Struggles and Fulham’s Campaign
In contrast to their European form, Tottenham’s Premier League season has been challenging. They currently sit 13th in the table with 34 points, eight points behind Fulham, who occupy 10th place. Fulham’s European aspirations took a hit last weekend with a 2-1 defeat at Brighton, but they remain in contention for a strong league finish and are still in the FA Cup.
Head-to-Head and Form
In their last five meetings, Fulham and Tottenham have been evenly matched. Fulham won the reverse fixture earlier this season, and Spurs suffered a 3-0 loss at Craven Cottage last year. Both teams are coming into the match with mixed form in all competitions.
| Fulham | Tottenham |
|---|---|
| Brighton 2-1 Fulham (08/03) | Tottenham 3-1 AZ Alkmaar (13/03) |
| Man Utd 1-1 (3-4p) Fulham (02/03) | Tottenham 2-2 Bournemouth (09/03) |
| Wolves 1-2 Fulham (25/02) | AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham (06/03) |
| Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace (22/02) | Tottenham 0-1 Man City (26/02) |
| Fulham 2-1 Nottingham Forest (15/02) | Ipswich 1-4 Tottenham (22/02) |
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Fulham will be without key midfielder Sasa Lukic, who is serving the second match of his suspension. Reiss Nelson, Harry Wilson, and Kenny Tete are also unavailable, while Adama Traore is doubtful due to an ankle injury. Manager Marco Silva is expected to stick with a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Tom Cairney stepping into the midfield.
Fulham Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Leno; Diop, Andersen, Bassey; Castagne, Berge, Cairney, Robinson; Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez.
For Tottenham, Micky van de Ven’s minutes are being managed carefully, and he may start on the bench to ensure his fitness for the upcoming Europa League quarter-final. Ben Davies is likely to partner Cristian Romero in defense, while Richarlison and Kevin Danso remain sidelined.
Tottenham Predicted XI (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Davies, Udogie; Bissouma, Bentancur, Maddison; Odobert, Solanke, Tel.
Match Prediction
Fulham’s solid home form and Tottenham’s focus on Europe could make this a tightly contested match. Despite Spurs’ improved depth and recent momentum, Fulham’s resilience and tactical discipline could see them hold their own. A draw seems a plausible outcome.
Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Tottenham
