Congratulations must go out to Roy Hodgson and Fulham for reaching the Europa League Final. Craven Cottage was rocking on Thursday night as they came from behind to dispose of Hamburg and if Roy Hodgson doesn’t win the Manager of the Year award then there is something wrong somewhere. They have beaten some of the biggest names in Europe and the whole of the England will be right behind them in Hamburg.
However, it’s back to domestic action this afternoon as they face their capital counterparts West Ham United. The Hammers’ top flight status was all but secured last weekend against Wigan Athletic thanks to a stunning strike from their captain marvel Scott Parker, but the future at the Boleyn still looks uncertain.
Gold and Sullivan claim that Zola has done a remarkable job and deserves a chance to prove himself next season while also saying that everyone is up for sale bar Scott Parker. However, the Italian insists that he has not been consulted in any dealings for West Brom’s Graham Dorrans and came out in support for the likes of Noble, Behrami and Green, who he believes have done a good job this season. Upton Park will certainly be a source of rumours this summer.
Fulham go into the game having won only one of their past eight league outings and haven’t beaten West Ham at the Cottage for almost 35 years, but the Fulham players will be on such a high after Thursday night that they will be desperate to work their way into Hodgson’s team for the final in Hamburg.
West Ham will be able to play their own game now that relegation is off the cards so we should expect a decent game between two good footballing sides.
Fulham v West Ham United; Kick Off 3pm 02 May 2010
Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Chris Cox : 1 - 0
Graham Enwright : TBC
Sue Gardener : 2 - 0
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 0
Don McMahon : 2 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Paul O'Meara (sqf) : TBC
Dave Nash : 1 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 1 - 2
Peter Rendle : 1 - 0
Dan Taylor : 1 - 2
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC
Mark Williams : TBC
Panel Verdict
The Panel is going for a home win.
Home: 8; Draw: 2; Away: 3; TBC: 7.
* 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!
