West Ham v Fulham, Saturday, January 12, 3pm (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

West Ham v Fulham, Saturday, January 12, 3pm

9:32am Saturday 12th January 2008 in West Ham By Guardian-series

MATCH PREVIEW

LAST MEETING: West Ham 3 Fulham 3 (Barclays Premiership, 13-01-07) HEAD-TO-HEAD: West Ham 32, Fulham 27, 18 draws. FORM: Despite spending more than £20 million in the summer, second-bottom Fulham have struggled and are currently on a ten-game winless streak.

Their away record is also nothing short of appauling - they have not claimed three points away from Craven Cottage for some 27 matches (14 months).

New boss Roy Hodgson has been drafted in and his first task will surely be looking to tighten the west Londoner's leaky defence.

DANGER MAN: Ex-England international Danny Murphy will try to pull the strings from midfield and has the ability to play a killer pass to open the tightest defence.

The former Liverpool, Spurs and Charlton midfidler (pictured) is also somewhat of a set piece specialist and will be dangerous with free kicks that are within his shooting range.

FUN FACT: Fulham have a vast array of famous fans, including none other than musician Michael Jackson.

The American superstar - a friend of Cottagers owner Mohamed Al Fayed - once took in a match at Craven Cottage in April 1999, saying at the time: "Fulham seemed a really good team with a great spirit.

"I met all the players and they were so kind to me. It was so exciting and passionate - the fans were screaming and shouting and cheering their players on. I loved it. I wanted to jump up and start dancing."

PREDICTION: West Ham 3 Fulham 0