Fulham to provide Tottenham Hotspur with stern test

Fulham, who have clawed their way back into contention to stay in the Premier League after going a month without a loss, will offer Tottenham a stern test on Thursday. 

You’ve got to give a lot of credit to Scott Parker’s Fulham side, who, not more than four weeks ago, appeared down and out. Cast eight points adrift, Fulham have gone on a five match unbeaten run and are now just three points behind fourth-from-bottom Newcastle.

The short trip to West London will represent a challenging 90 minutes for Spurs, who are coming off one of their best performances in recent memory. Fulham are entrenched in a battle for the Premier League lives, but Tottenham also have a lot riding on Thursday’s encounter. If Spurs win their game in hand, they’ll be just three points adrift of fourth place. 

Leicester, after suffering numerous long-term injuries to first team regulars, are expected to plummet down the table. If that eventuates, it would mean two top four spots are up for grabs. But Tottenham have to win that game in hand, a difficult task against a desperate, in-form side.

While Fulham will put their collective best foot forward on Thursday, Spurs will have enough to take all three points if they acquit themselves like they did against Burnley on Sunday. Gareth Bale, Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min will need all of their offensive creativity, incisiveness and guile against Fulham, who have conceded just a single goal during their current five match unbeaten run. That’s an incredible defensive record no matter who the opponents.

Spurs were rampant against a poor Burnley side, but the real litmus test is forthcoming. If Jose’s men can expose Fulham the way they did the Clarets, we can rest assured that Tottenham are back to their high-flying selves.