by Tom Allen
Fulham's Premier League away record in recent seasons has been far from
impressive but new manager Mark Hughes might just be about to change that and
the Cottagers are tipped to shine on Saturday.
Hughes takes his troops north to face Blackpool and while Fulham can boast
just three top flight victories on the road in the past two campaigns, they
won't have faced any side as abject as the Seasiders in that time.
Blackpool shocked all on opening day when triumphing 4-0 at the DW Stadium
over beleaguered Wigan but it didn't take long to find out just how poor the
Latics are under Roberto Martinez, Chelsea hit them for six next time out, and
the 2010 Championship playoff winners were well and truly put in their place at
The Emirates.
Arsenal could have had double figures last Saturday, they would settle for
six, thanks mainly to a Theo Walcott hat-trick, and although Fulham don't
possess the firepower of the Gunners they have started the new term brightly.
An opening goalless draw at Bolton was well deserved, not many sides will win
at The Reebok this season, and Fulham can count themselves probably a shade
unlucky only to take a point from their Super Sunday clash with Manchester
United six days ago.
A last-minute Brede Hangeland header maintained Fulham's unbeaten record in a
2-2 draw with Sir Alex Ferguson's side but the London club more than matched the
2010 Premier League runners-up throughout and will be eager to register their
first three points of the season.
Both Blackpool and Fulham were in midweek Carling Cup action but while the
hosts were being defeated 4-3 at MK Dons, albeit with an under-strength team,
Fulham were brushing aside Port Vale with the minimum of fuss.
A 6-0 triumph on Wednesday saw Hughes' men safely into the next round and,
while clearly things will be tougher on the weekend, Blackpool were hard to beat
at Bloomfield Park last season, that will have set them up nicely for this.
The concern ahead of Saturday is Fulham's poor away record in the top flight
but they proved in last season's terrific run to the Europa League final under
Roy Hodgson that they can get the job done on the road and I'm happy to play at
the 13/10 on offer with Blue Square with that in mind.
Bobby Zamora leads the line magnificently for the Cottagers and, with
Hangeland and Aaron Hughes as reliable central defensive partnership as you are
likely to find, it could be a frustrating afternoon for the home supporters as
they welcome the return of top flight football.
It looks a particularly difficult weekend from a punting point of view in the
Premier League but I'll be opposing troubled Aston Villa at home to Everton, the
Toffees can kick-start their campaign with a win in the Midlands, while the
pace-setters should all pick up three points.
Chelsea, 1/8 shot, will have no trouble rolling over Stoke and Manchester
United should also have little difficulty resuming winning ways versus West Ham
at Old Trafford.
United are no bigger than 1/6 with Paddy Power but Arsenal are sure to find
things a whole lot tougher at Ewood Park and I couldn't be going anywhere near
the 8/13 about Arsene Wenger's men beating Blackburn.
Rovers have been terrific on their own patch in recent years, Sam Allardyce's
team beat Everton on opening day, and could just earn a share of the spoils
which looks overpriced at 3/1 with
Bet
365.
2pts Back Fulham (vs. Blackpool) @ 13/10 ((Blue
Square)
