Source: Northern_Echo
Match Preview: Sunderland v Fulham
SUNDERLAND Gordon Hutton Turner Mensah McCartney Malbranque Cana Cattermole Richardson Bent Jones[LNB] Okaka Gera Duff Etuhu Murphy Davies Shorey Baird Hangeland Hughes Schwarzer FULHAM[LNB] Sunderland subs (from): Bardsley, Ferdinand, Benjani, Campbell, Carson, Da Silva, Zenden, Noble. Fulham subs (from): Smalling, Riise, Zuberbuhler, Greening, Nevland, Elm, Kelly, Stoor.[LNB] SUNDERLAND: Steve Bruce has Lee Cattermole back from suspension and he is likely to revert back to his preferred 4-4-2 formation. That is likely to mean Darren Bent partners Kenwyne Jones in attack, with Steed Malbranque recalled to the right wing at the expense of Fraizer Campbell. John Mensah is also fit enough to play, despite his ongoing back problems. Suspensions: Meyler 2 Injuries: Reid (hamstring), Henderson (ankle) Leading league scorer: Bent 16 Last five League games: LDDDL Next game: Bolton (h), 9/2[LNB] FULHAM: England hopeful Bobby Zamora is a doubt after picking up an Achilles injury playing in the Europa League. Andrew Johnson, Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil are also out, but cup-tied duo Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka may return. Okaka is the likely candidate to slot in for Zamora. Suspensions: None Injuries: Dikgacoi (ankle), Johnson (knee), Konchesky (ankle), Dempsey (knee), Zamora (Achilles), Pantsil (knee) Leading league scorer: Zamora 8 Last five League games: WWDWL Key player: Damien Duff - the former Newcastle winger has been rejuvenated in West London.[LNB] Last season: 1-0 Head to head: Sunderland 20, Fulham 14, draws 13 Referee: Martin Atkinson (Halifax) G35 Y137 R4 Av: 4.02 Last Sunderland game: v Everton (h) 26/12/09, 1-1, Y4 R0 Odds: H 11/10; A5/2; D23/10[LNB] It's a fact: Sunderland have only lost once to Fulham on Wearside soil in 35 years. Comment by Scott Wilson: This is as big as they come but Fulham will not be making life easy. Prediction: 1-1[LNB]
