While most eyes will be keenly observing the visitors when Fulham clash with Liverpool this weekend, there are plenty of reasons to pay close attention the home side as well.
Whereas this time last season the London club seemed doomed for the drop, they now find themselves knocking on the door of Europe. Standing ninth in the Premier League, they are just one point adrift of seventh-placed Wigan Athletic and a berth in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League.
Since taking over partway through last term, Roy Hodgson has fashioned a team capable of playing both dogged and eye-pleasing football to great effect. And what's more, little Craven Cottage has become one of the toughest places to visit in England's top flight, as the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and, most recently, Manchester United have all found out.
However, Fulham's record against Liverpool in recent times is not very encouraging - they have scored just once in their last five meetings. But the hosts - who did manage a draw in the reverse fixture at Anfield - may fancy their chances against a team more obviously affected by the latest round of World Cup qualifiers.
It would be no surprise if Rafael Benitez turned up for Saturday's match sporting heavily bandaged fingertips; the Spanish tactician will no doubt have been chewing his nails all week long as the majority of his squad fulfilled their international duties.
But of equal annoyance to Benitez will have been the fact the break interrupted his side's best spell of form for the entire season, one which has seen them storm back into the title race after being written off by the end of February.
The Merseysiders' last outing resulted in a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Aston Villa and put them within one point of leaders Manchester United, who they had drubbed 4-1 at Old Trafford the previous weekend. Add in the 4-0 mauling of Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League knockout tie, and you have a side in pretty decent touch.
Pundits and punters worldwide are waiting to see whether Liverpool can recapture their momentum instantly, a task complicated by the number of stars returning from international action. But with first place on offer (although United could snatch it back with a win over Villa on Sunday), there certainly won't be a lack of motivation.
FORM GUIDE
Fulham
Mar 21 Fulham 2-0 Manchester United (Premier League)
Mar 14 Bolton Wanderers 1-3 Fulham (Premier League)
Mar 11 Fulham 1-2 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
Mar 07 Fulham 0-4 Manchester United (FA Cup)
Mar 04 Fulham 0-1 Hull City (Premier League)
Liverpool
Mar 22 Liverpool 5-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Mar 14 Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 10 Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid (Champions League)
Mar 03 Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Feb 28 Middlesbrough 2-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Fulham
Hodgson has pretty much a full-strength squad to choose from. Ex-Red Danny Murphy will captain his men from midfield, former Evertonian Andrew Johnson should lead the line, and Brede Hangeland - linked with an Anfield switch in the winter - will start in the heart of defence.
Probable XI: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Dempsey, Murphy, Etuhu, Davies, Johnson, Zamora.
Liverpool
Despite seeing most of his first-team players shoot off to join their national teams, Benitez only has a couple of minor concerns. Yossi Benayoun, having just shrugged off a hamstring problem, took a knock to the calf while representing Israel but seems to have recovered, while Javier Mascherano is expected to start, despite only returning on Friday following Argentina's shock 6-1 loss to Bolivia at high altitude.
Probable XI: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano/Lucas, Alonso, Gerrard, Kuyt, Riera, Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham
Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has been in stunning form this term. When you look at some of the match-winning displays the big Australian has turned in, it's no surprise that Fulham boast the fourth best defensive record in the league. The former Middlesbrough man should be kept busy by the most prolific attack in the division.
Liverpool
Speaking of prolific attackers, Fernando Torres will be eager to get back on the scoresheet after two goalless outings for Spain. His record away from home this season is impressive, and he shouldn't be wanting for service with an in-form Steven Gerrard just behind him.
Whereas this time last season the London club seemed doomed for the drop, they now find themselves knocking on the door of Europe. Standing ninth in the Premier League, they are just one point adrift of seventh-placed Wigan Athletic and a berth in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League.
Since taking over partway through last term, Roy Hodgson has fashioned a team capable of playing both dogged and eye-pleasing football to great effect. And what's more, little Craven Cottage has become one of the toughest places to visit in England's top flight, as the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and, most recently, Manchester United have all found out.
However, Fulham's record against Liverpool in recent times is not very encouraging - they have scored just once in their last five meetings. But the hosts - who did manage a draw in the reverse fixture at Anfield - may fancy their chances against a team more obviously affected by the latest round of World Cup qualifiers.
It would be no surprise if Rafael Benitez turned up for Saturday's match sporting heavily bandaged fingertips; the Spanish tactician will no doubt have been chewing his nails all week long as the majority of his squad fulfilled their international duties.
But of equal annoyance to Benitez will have been the fact the break interrupted his side's best spell of form for the entire season, one which has seen them storm back into the title race after being written off by the end of February.
The Merseysiders' last outing resulted in a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Aston Villa and put them within one point of leaders Manchester United, who they had drubbed 4-1 at Old Trafford the previous weekend. Add in the 4-0 mauling of Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League knockout tie, and you have a side in pretty decent touch.
Pundits and punters worldwide are waiting to see whether Liverpool can recapture their momentum instantly, a task complicated by the number of stars returning from international action. But with first place on offer (although United could snatch it back with a win over Villa on Sunday), there certainly won't be a lack of motivation.
FORM GUIDE
Fulham
Mar 21 Fulham 2-0 Manchester United (Premier League)
Mar 14 Bolton Wanderers 1-3 Fulham (Premier League)
Mar 11 Fulham 1-2 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
Mar 07 Fulham 0-4 Manchester United (FA Cup)
Mar 04 Fulham 0-1 Hull City (Premier League)
Liverpool
Mar 22 Liverpool 5-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Mar 14 Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 10 Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid (Champions League)
Mar 03 Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Feb 28 Middlesbrough 2-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Fulham
Hodgson has pretty much a full-strength squad to choose from. Ex-Red Danny Murphy will captain his men from midfield, former Evertonian Andrew Johnson should lead the line, and Brede Hangeland - linked with an Anfield switch in the winter - will start in the heart of defence.
Probable XI: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Dempsey, Murphy, Etuhu, Davies, Johnson, Zamora.
Liverpool
Despite seeing most of his first-team players shoot off to join their national teams, Benitez only has a couple of minor concerns. Yossi Benayoun, having just shrugged off a hamstring problem, took a knock to the calf while representing Israel but seems to have recovered, while Javier Mascherano is expected to start, despite only returning on Friday following Argentina's shock 6-1 loss to Bolivia at high altitude.
Probable XI: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano/Lucas, Alonso, Gerrard, Kuyt, Riera, Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham
Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has been in stunning form this term. When you look at some of the match-winning displays the big Australian has turned in, it's no surprise that Fulham boast the fourth best defensive record in the league. The former Middlesbrough man should be kept busy by the most prolific attack in the division.
Liverpool
Speaking of prolific attackers, Fernando Torres will be eager to get back on the scoresheet after two goalless outings for Spain. His record away from home this season is impressive, and he shouldn't be wanting for service with an in-form Steven Gerrard just behind him.
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