Tottenham vs Fulham: Statistical Preview

Tottenham’s Champions League hopes were all but ended last Saturday after a 3-3 draw with West Brom left them 7 points adrift of 4^th spot.  

Spurs managed to claw themselves back into the game with a second half salvo, after a dismal first half performance saw them fall 3 goals behind after just 31 minutes.  The rousing comeback was completed right at the death when Cristian Eriksen’s stunning effort left Ben Foster with no chance. The 94^th minute goal may give Tim Sherwood’s side a major confidence boost going into Saturdays tie with relegation threatened Fulham who come into the game in good spirits having picked up 2 consecutive Premier League wins.

Eriksen has had an impressive first season at White Hart Lane, and has picked up 58 attacking contributions (shots on target, assists, dribbles and crosses); more than any other Tottenham player this term. And Tim Sherwood has this week even compared the £11.5 million summer signing to a former Arsenal star, describing him as ‘Bergkampesque’.

Emmanuel Adebayor will be looking to add to his 10 league goals when he faces Felix Magath’s side, who have conceded 74 goals this season; more than any other Premier League club. Adebayor has been in good form since his return to the Spurs side under Tim Sherwood, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows the striker has been accurate with 69% of his 29 shots this season.

With Michael Dawson and Jan Vertonghen still out injured Younes Kaboul is likely to partner Romanian Vlad Chiriches at centre back as they look to tighten up at the back after last weeks disappointing defensive display.  Kaboul, who missed the first half of the season, made 19 defensive contributions inlast week’s draw including 8 clearances and 8 interceptions.

Fulham will go into Saturday’s clash with Tottenham with a new found confidence after Hugo Rodallega gave them a 1-0 win over Norwich at Craven Cottage. The Cottagers looked dead and buried a few weeks ago but 3 wins from their last 5 games has given them real hopes of survival. Felix Magath’s side have now amassed 30 Premier League points and find themselves just 2 points behind 17^th place Norwich who sit just above the relegation zone.

The goal gave Rodallega his 2^nd of the season and his celebration showed how much it meant to him, after struggling to establish himself in the Fulham side this season. The former Wigan man has only made 10 appearances this season but according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index he has been Fulham’s most accurate finisher, with 70% of his 10 shots this season finding the target.

Although he hasn’t appeared regularly in recent weeks on loan striker Darren Bent may still feature against his former club this weekend.Felix Magath has this week hinted that Bent still has a future at Craven Cottage even though he has only handed the former Spurs striker 1 start since he took over in February. Bent has made 22 appearances so far this term, making 12 attacking contributions (shots on target, assists, dribbles and crosses) scoring 3 goals in the process.

Johnny Heitinga put in an impressive defensive showing against Norwich and will be looking for a repeat of his performance against a dangerous Tottenham front line when they travel to White Hart lane. Heitinga made 15 defensive contributions against Norwich including 11 clearances and 3 tackles won, giving him a 63% tackle accuracy so far this season.