Fulham vs Sheffield United preview

February 3, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Fulham vs Sheffield UtdFresh from the 3-0 home defeat to Southampton, Fulham host League One strugglers Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round replay.

This season is quickly going from bad to worse for the Cottagers, with the team showing little improvement under new boss Rene Meulensteen.

Four straight defeats in the league saw Fulham slip to rock bottom in the Premier League, with the 3-0 home loss to Southampton one of the lowest points of an utterly disappointing campaign.

The Cottagers did well to reinforce the squad in the final days of the January window, adding the likes of Mitroglou, Heitinga, Holtby, Kvist, Cole and Tunnicliffe to their ranks, with Holtby and Kvist already handed their debuts.

The FA Cup clash against Sheffield United would have been a perfect opportunity for the new signings to show what they are capable of, but the problem is none of them is eligible to play having not been registered for the original tie.

Despite facing a side that are fighting for their lives in the third tier of England’s league system, Fulham are no less than 1.67 (2/3) to win in regulation time.

The likes of John Arne Risse, Fernando Amorebieta and Matthew Briggs are all injury doubts, whereas Clint Dempsey, Alex Kacaniklic and Hugo Rodallega should start.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Stockdale – Passley, Amorebieta, Burn, Riise – Karagounis, Tankovic – Dempsey, Kasami, Kacaniklic – Rodallega.

Despite reaching the promotion play-offs last season, Sheffield United have experienced all sorts of problems this term, and currently find themselves in the League One relegation zone.

The Blades still have two games in hand on their relegation rivals, but their current form is definitely a cause for concern.

And while they picked up just one point from last four league fixtures, Sheffield United have largely impressed in the FA Cup, beating Aston Villa away before holding on to a 1-1 draw with Fulham with ten men on the pitch.

Michael Doyle is obviously banned for the replay, but Chris Porter, who scored the only goal for the hosts in the original game, should return.

The visitors go into the game low on confidence having lost to Crewe at the weekend, but they will be looking to make life difficult for their more illustrious opponents.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-1-1): Long – Brayford, Maguire, Collins, Hill – Murphy, Scougall, Coady, Flynn – Baxter – Porter.

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