Chris Sutton has offered his thoughts ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s visit to Craven Cottage on Sunday, predicting a high-scoring affair. The former striker and football pundit believes Fulham could come out on top, despite their struggles at home, largely due to Tottenham’s midweek European commitments.
An Unpredictable Encounter in West London
Tottenham Hotspur make the short trip to West London this weekend to take on Fulham in what promises to be a tricky fixture to call. Both sides have displayed inconsistency in recent weeks, experiencing a blend of victories and defeats. While Spurs have managed to string together some positive results, Fulham’s inability to sustain momentum has made their performances unpredictable.
The Cottagers, in particular, have found it difficult to build on their wins. In fact, three of their last four Premier League victories have been immediately followed by a loss. Their most recent setback came against Brighton & Hove Albion, where they conceded a heartbreaking 98th-minute penalty, converted by João Pedro, to lose 1-0.
One of Fulham’s biggest concerns this season has been their home form. Despite the advantage of playing at Craven Cottage, they have actually fared better away from home, collecting two more points on the road. Their goal difference also reflects this imbalance, standing at +4 in away fixtures while dropping to -1 in home matches.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have had contrasting fortunes. Ange Postecoglou’s men have amassed two fewer points in away games compared to their tally at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but this can largely be attributed to having played more matches at home. With Fulham’s struggles in front of their own fans, Spurs may feel they have a strong opportunity to pick up another valuable three points.
Chris Sutton’s Take: Fulham Have the Advantage
Chris Sutton, in his column for BBC Sport, has made his prediction for the upcoming clash, and despite Fulham’s shaky home form, he is backing Marco Silva’s side to come away with the victory. His primary reasoning is Tottenham’s potential fatigue following their midweek European commitments.
Spurs were in action on Thursday night in the Europa League, securing a 3-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar. While this was a morale-boosting result, history suggests that Tottenham have often struggled in their subsequent Premier League matches following a European fixture. Sutton believes this factor could significantly impact their performance at Craven Cottage.
Offering his insight, Sutton said:
“Tottenham have got a few players back from injury, but how much will Thursday’s Europa League tie against AZ Alkmaar take out of them? Fulham have been very up and down at home, but I really fancy them here.”
His final verdict? A 3-1 victory for Fulham, predicting that Marco Silva’s men will capitalize on any signs of fatigue in the Tottenham squad.
Can Tottenham Defy Sutton’s Prediction?
While Sutton is confident in Fulham’s chances, the game is far from straightforward. Despite their ups and downs, Tottenham have demonstrated strong form on the road recently. They head into the match having secured back-to-back away wins in the Premier League, scoring six goals across those fixtures. This resurgence in away performances suggests they could pose a significant threat to Fulham, especially if Postecoglou’s side can manage their energy levels effectively.
Ultimately, while Sutton’s prediction points towards a Fulham win, the unpredictability of both teams means this London derby remains wide open. Tottenham will be eager to prove the doubters wrong and continue their pursuit of a strong league finish, while Fulham will be desperate to overcome their home struggles and take advantage of a potentially fatigued Spurs side.
Will Fulham make the most of their opportunity, or will Tottenham show their resilience and secure another crucial victory? The stage is set for an intriguing showdown at Craven Cottage.
Chris Sutton makes astonishing Fulham vs Tottenham score prediction revealing the decisive factors that will decide the London Derby winner
