Fulham hoping to continue fine form against woeful Watford
Since their terrible start to the season, Fulham have endured a decent turnaround in the Championship and now look good chances for a mid-table finish at the very least, if they can keep up their good form.
The fact they are only slight outsiders with Coral at 5/4 to beat high-flying Watford (2/1) is a complimentary sign of how far they have come in such a short space of time.
Craven Cottage club Fulham have lost just once in seven league fixtures and striker Hugo Rodallega has discovered his scoring touch. As a result, the Colombian hitman is 5/1 to open the scoring, and 13/8 to net anytime. Also for Fulham to win and Rodallega to score, odds are being offered at 7/2 with a maximum bet of £20.
Manager Kit Symons will welcome back defender Sean Kavanagh for the match; however, Venezuela international Fernando Amorebieta remains sidelined.
“We’ve had a setback with Fernando, and we’re getting someone else to look at him now,” said Symons. “We’re a bit concerned. We’ve got a couple of options. One’s conservative involving rehab, and the other is more complicated, and could involve surgery and he could be a long time out.”
Tim Hoogland is also closer to a return, and Symons is hopeful regarding the player’s recovery: “Tim we’re quite positive about.
“He’s had an injection, and we’ll know more in seven to 10 days, but Sean travelled with the squad to Brighton last week. He wasn’t quite ready for the match, but he’s had a week now to get back to full fitness.”
Their 19-year-old loan signing Seko Fofana is pushing for a start, having come on as a substitute in the 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, and is 3/1 to net anytime.
Symons is expecting more from the Manchester City youngster. “I spoke to the guys at Man City and to Seko’s agent, and he’s come with a view to get game time,” he added.
“He had become comfortable playing Under-21 football, and that’s never very good for a young player. They need to be challenged, and this is a big step for him, but he’s always impress me and step up to the plate.”
Watford, meanwhile, sit just two points off the play-offs, so the Hornets will be hoping they can sting their hosts and jump above sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers in the process, having lost their last four fixtures in the league.
Top scorer Matej Vydra is always vying for goals, and the last time the striker scored they won, beating Millwall 3-1 at Vicarage Road. The Czech is 6/1 to break the deadlock, while attack partner Troy Deeney is available at the same price, in the same market.
