Fulham V Blackburn
Sunday, 11th September 2011 – 16:00 (GMT) kick-off
LIVE on Sky Sports 1
They’ve made their worst ever starts to a Premier League season, now Blackburn and Fulham do battle at Craven Cottage in what I believe is a must-win fixture for both parties, as pinpointing their next potential wins thereafter is by no means a straightforward task.
Just one point gained from their first three league games equals Fulham’s worst ever start to a Premier League season, and they’ll host this fixture, albeit it at venue where they’ve lost just one of their previous ten in the Premiership, desperate to halt their current two-match losing streak. However, should the Cottagers fail to dispatch of a Blackburn side who remain pointless after their opening fixtures, you’re scratching your head as to when and where their first win of the season may arise.
In midweek, Fulham begin their Europa League group campaign at home to FC Twente, the Dutch champions two seasons ago. That is by no means a given. While just three days later they have the unenviable task of trying to halt an imperious Manchester City in West London, which was the setting for a City romp last season. After the frightening visit of a flawless Man City, it’s a trip to The Hawthorns for Martin Jol’s men before hosting a reinvigorated QPR in a London derby.
If you thought Fulham had it rough… Blackburn have a nightmare upcoming fixture list consisting of home clashes with Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Tottenham – and either side of all those excruciating fixtures are tricky trips to the likes of Newcastle, Norwich, QPR and Wigan.
Both sides urgently need a maximum haul in order to kick-start their stuttering league campaigns, so which, if either, of Martin Jol or Steve Kean – two managers who are already feeling the pressure, the latter especially – will be celebrating come the final whistle?
Personally, the draw sticks out from a mile away. I haven’t been encouraged by what I have seen from either in the early stages, in particular in the final third. Creating chances hasn’t been much of a laborious task, however converting certainly has been. Arguably Blackburn have made more of a meal of scoring, despite mustering one goal more (2) than their opponents (1).
Steve Kean’s men failed to put away either of their two spot-kicks at home to Everton last time out, and ultimately paid a heavy price with defeat. No doubt some harsh lessons were learned, but the Glaswegian remains defiant in the face of adversity and firmly believes that the first win of the season that has so far eluded Rovers is just around the corner. For his sake, it better be, because with Blackburn’s forthcoming fixtures, defeat, or perhaps even a draw for that matter, could be the beginning of the end for the Scot who this week had to respond to questions surrounding a petition from 400 fans sent to the club’s owners demanding his tenure be brought to end.
Usually I wouldn’t go anywhere near a Scot whose back is firmly against the wall – those who have painstakingly watched Scotland in recent qualifying campaigns will know exactly what I’m talking about – however I’m getting tremendous value in doing so on this occasion.
Rovers are 5/1 with VictorChandler to inflict only a second home defeat on Fulham in eleven at Craven Cottage in the Premier League. Unfortunately I’m not as brave as I like to make out, so I’m going to need some insurance. Blackburn Draw No Bet is 10/3 with Bet365 – so stake returned if match ends in a draw but deemed a winner should Rovers triumph.
Instead, however, I’m going to stoop further and back the visitors on the Asian Handicap, with Blackburn +0.5 – so a winning bet with either a draw or an away win – readily available at 13/10 with VC.
Betting Tip: Blackburn +0.5 Asian Handicap @ 13/10 VictorChandler
Value Punts
Blackburn to WIN – 5/1 VictorChandler
Blackburn Draw No Bet – 10/3 Bet365
David Goodwillie to Score – 9/2 Unibet (A summer signing from Dundee, Goodwillie still awaits his first Premier League goal for Blackburn, but his industry and perseverance will earn him some just rewards soon enough – it’s just a case of how soon?)
