Sunday 18th November 2012
Kick-off: 17.00
(live @ Sky Sport 3/Supercalcio)
Craven Cottage
Fulham FC
(9th)
v
Sunderland
(16th)

Kick-off: 17.00
(live @ Sky Sport 3/Supercalcio)
Craven Cottage


Fulham FC
(9th)
v
Sunderland
(16th)



The Super Sunday action this weekend comes from Craven Cottage, with Fulham playing host to Sunderland. Four draws in five have prevented the Cottagers from edging closer to the European-chasing pack, but they have looked dangerous in front of goal and have Dimitar Berbatov firing on all cylinders. Three defeats from five winless games have left Sunderland in 16th place, with their latest setback coming at Everton last weekend. The Black Cats are under increasing pressure and will be desperate to turn things around on their trip to the capital. They could face a tough task, however, with Fulham having won five and lost just one of their eight Premier League meetings with Sunderland on home soil.


• Dimitar Berbatov has been directly involved in eight goals (five goals, three assists) in just seven league appearances for Fulham since his move to Craven Cottage.
• The Black Cats have had both the fewest shots at goal (58) and on target (15) in the Premier League this season, they've also made the fewest ball touches in the opposition penalty area this season (121).

Chris Baird will serve a one-match suspension for picking up five cautions, while Mahamadou Diarra missed out last weekend and is again rated doubtful to return. These two absentees leave a big hole in central midfield, so Steve Sidwell and Giorgos Karagounis could both be called into action. Alex Kacaniklic should keep the left flank role, with Kieran Richardson ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Damien Duff only appeared from the bench for five minutes in place of Ashkan Dejagah, but he may be fresh and back in the starting XI this time around.
M Schwarzer • S Riether, A Hughes, B Hangeland, JA Riise • D Duff, S Sidwell, G Karagounis, A Kacaniklic • B Ruiz • D Berbatov
Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher faces a late fitness test on an ankle knock in the run-up to Sunday's match against Fulham, with Louis Saha waiting in the wings to deputise. Craig Gardner serves a one-match suspension this weekend, affording Phil Bardsley the chance to return to right-back, providing he is fit. If Bardsley fails to make it, John O’Shea could cover, with Titus Bramble moving into the centre of defence. Martin O’Neill is hoping Lee Cattermole can recover from the knee injury that saw him miss last week’ trip to Everton.
S Mignolet • P Bardsley, J O'Shea, C Cuellar, D Rose • A Johnson, L Cattermole, S Larsson, J McClean • S Sessegnon • S Fletcher