Fulham vs Blackburn Rovers: Fulham come home at last
Who wins the battle in the middle of the park between veteran midfielders Danny Murphy and David Dunn could decide this game.
In Fulham's first home game of the month they will hope to leapfrog Lancastrian neighbours, Burnley and Blackburn, into the top half of the table. Key players may return for the Cottagers with Andrew Johnson and Danny Murphy close to a recall and despite the performances (if not results) achieved in their absence these two really do add something to the side. Johnson and Murphy can push those good performances into good results as Fulham look to move back into the top half of the table. With European games about to go into the winter break, Roy Hodgson will want a platform for another finish that will ensure that the European campaign is not a one-off.
David Dunn's form is causing some pundits to call for an England call-up, they are likely to be disappointed but Blackburn are certainly benefiting from an injury free spell from their long-serving midfielder. Dunn made his debut for Blackburn 13 seasons ago yet when he returned to Blackburn from Birmingham almost 3 years ago he had not yet managed to play in 200 league games. The last couple of years has seen him play in just about every game and five weeks shy of his 30th birthday he is in the form of his life. Sam Allardyce is about to have heart surgery but will surely be gladdened by any kind of result - is two away wins in a week too much to ask?
Fulham vs Blackburn Rovers; Kick Off 8:00pm 25 Nov 2009
Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Chris Cox : 0 - 1
Graham Enwright : 1 - 0
Sue Gardener : TBC
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 0
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 2 - 0
Don McMahon : 1 - 3
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 0
Paul O'Meara (sqf) : 0 - 0
Dave Nash : 1 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 1 - 1
Peter Rendle : 2 - 0
Dan Taylor : 3 - 1
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC
Mark Williams : 1 - 0
Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting Fulham to win 2-0.
Home: 11; Draw: 2; Away: 2; TBC: 5.
* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!
