Fulham v Tottenham, Premier League: Preview and Probable Teams

Fulham host Tottenham, looking for a first Premier League win since mid-October. The Cottagers have slid down the table to 11th, with 17 points from 14 games and unless Martin Jol can find some wins soon, the London club could soon be caught up in a relegation battle.

Meanwhile, Spurs seem to have recovered from their 5-2 battering in the north London derby. Since then Andre Villas-Boas's team have won both league games, with 3-1 and 2-1 home wins against West Ham United and Liverpool. Tottenham are currently fifth in the league, with 23 points so far and the promise of a Champions League qualifying spot within reach.

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 3pm GMT. Catch highlights of the day's action on Match of the Day, at 10.30pm GMT on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Overview

Fulham are on a poor run, and Jol has his work cut out as the mid-season mark approaches. The club's Premier League status is safe for now but with Liverpool, Newcastle United and Norwich City the teams below them, the Cottagers could find themselves in trouble if any one of these three strings a couple of good games together.

There is little, really, to note about the club's recent results. They did do well to blunt Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the midweek game, thus halting a run of two consecutive defeats, but the fact the club has scored only once in the last three games is worrying, particularly because they managed eight in the three before that.

On a side note, Craven Cottage is set to welcome back former players Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey, as the Belgian and the American face their old club for the first time since summer moves. However, just how welcoming the reception is remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, AVB will be a slightly relieved man after two back-to-back wins... even if, by his own admission, the win over the Reds was fortunate. Spurs will have one eye on their next midweek fixture - the visit of Greek side Panathiniakos - as the club looks to confirm their places in the UEFA Europa League's knock-out stages.

However, that should not stop the former Chelsea boss from fielding a strong side for this game, particularly since any slip by either Chelsea or West Brom could see his side break into the top four of the Premier League.

The good news for Spurs is they have an excellent record against Fulham, having won all five of their last league games against them.

Team Form

Fulham

• Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): D L L D D

• Last Match: Chelsea 0 - 0 Fulham

Tottenham

• Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W W D L L

• Last Match: Tottenham 2 - 1 Liverpool

Team News

Jol may not make too many changes to the side that held Chelsea to a draw at the Bridge. However, he will consider a slightly more attacking tilt to his side, given they are playing at home. This means either Mladen Petric or Hugo Rodallega is likely to partner former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov up front. Bryan Ruiz, Alex Kacaniklic and Simon Davies are all unavailable for this game, while Frazer Richardson faces a late decision over his readiness to play.

Probable Line-Up: Schwarzer; Riether, Senderos, Hughes, Riise; Diarra, Sidwell, Duff, Karagounis; Rodallega, Berbatov

Spurs are even less likely to make any changes to their starting line-up, with the exception, perhaps, of youngster Steven Caulker. The England man has recovered from an illness that kept him out of the Liverpool game, which means former captain Michael Dawson will likely drop to the bench.

Summer signing Hugo Lloris seems to have established himself as the club's No 1, following a rocky start to his White Hart Lane career. Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor continues to serve a suspension for a straight red in the north London derby and defenders Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Younes Kaboul and midfielder Scott Parker remain long-term absentees, although the latter is expected back soon.

Probable Line-Up: Lloris; Walker, Caulker, Gallas, Vertonghen; Sandro, Demeble; Lennon, Dempsey, Bale; Defoe