Fulham the On-Form Team in Visit to Tottenham Hotspur

On Wednesday, Spurs return to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to take on Fulham Cottagers in Premier League action, the lilywhites better be ready as Fulham is.

As Tottenham Hotspur host Fulham in matchday 16 action, looking at the two teams in the table and total points, one might think this should be a cakewalk for Tottenham. On 26 points, Tottenham currently have more than twice as many as Fulham at just 11. However, in the last six matches – not an insignificant sample size – the Cottagers have earned more points than Spurs.

Hot and Cold Teams

Had this match been in the first nine weeks of the season, yes it likely would have been a cake walk for Tottenham Hotspur. However, in the last six matches over this busy stretch to end 2020, Fulham have been the better team. As good as Tottenham started, Fulham was equally bad acclimating as a newly promoted club.

Tottenham started the season with 20 points from the first nine matches, stringing together six wins and two draws against only the opening day defeat Everton. Whereas Fulham had a rough go early on, losing seven of their first nine matches with only one win and one draw for four total points. At the end of matchday nine Tottenham were in first place with those 20 points, whereas Fulham were 18th with 4 points.

Since that time, while Fulham’s position in the table has not changed, their form and ability to pick up points have. Alternatively, Spurs have fallen flat over the last six matches, droppings six places in the table.

Reversal of Fortune

Fulham’s current season pace would lead to about 28 points, certainly relegation material. However, with seven points from their last six matches, a pace of 44 points across a season, the Cottagers have figured something out. Sure, Fulham need wins and three points, but they need points period and are working hard to take them one at a time.

Please note, that while 44 points does not sound like a great season, there are probably 14 teams in the league that would take that if offered on day one no questions asked. Safety is a big deal in the Premier League.

On the flip side, Tottenham have only taken six points from the last six matches. Taken over the course of a season, that is only 38 points, which is potentially relegation material. Of course, Tottenham are at little to no threat of relegation at this point, but the current form of the two sides is starkly different as are the moods in the dugouts from it.

Both teams have faced similar schedules over this stretch, as Fulham beat Leicester City and drew with Liverpool – two teams that beat Spurs. However, Tottenham also beat Manchester City and beat Southampton, who beat and drew with Fulham. The point is Fulham are playing well and are doing it against the top competition. Maybe teams are overlooking them, but on current form, Tottenham should be overlooking no one.

So, whatever your expectation is coming into the matchup on Wednesday, just do not think it will be an easy game, because the form says otherwise.