Fulham v Cardiff: Cottagers can build on capital gains

It may only have been the Capital One Cup third round, but a win over a previously undefeated Everton side ahead of this match could be just the tonic to help kick-start Fulham’s faltering campaign.

When you’re odds-on to be the next London manager to leave their post at 4/7, it’s probably fair to say the results have not quite been up to scratch.

However, a few results in football can be all it takes to swing the tide, and for Fulham boss Martin Jol this home game against Premier League new boys Cardiff equals their best opportunity to win back-to-back games in all competitions, for the first time since April Fool’s Day.

After all, it was only a sucker-punch injury-time header from West Brom defender Gareth McAuley which prevented Fulham collecting their second league win of the season on their last appearance at Craven Cottage.

When you consider the Welsh visitors have picked up just one away point on their travels from two games, and that against fellow promotees Hull, Fulham’s odds of 11/10 to take the spoils appeals.

A burgeoning partnership between Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Bent, who both scored in that confidence-boosting win over Everton, is a major plus point for the hosts’ campaign going forward.

Both players have fine goal-scoring records in the top-flight and their opposing styles seem tailor-made for a fruitful partnership, with Berba dropping into the hole, leaving Bent on the shoulder of the last defender, waiting to benefit from the Bulgarian’s guile.

Berbatov is a 5/1 shot to grab the first goal, as he did against the Toffees, while Bent is 11/2 to draw first blood in what should be three valuable points bagged for Fulham.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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