Liam Flin's Fulham v Tottenham predictions: Value in improving Cottagers

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Fulham v Tottenham in the Premier League on Thursday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 6pm Thursday

Best bet

Fulham or draw double chance
1pt 17-20 Hills

Team news

Fulham
Aleksandar Mitrovic will be pushing for a start after featuring against Crystal Palace. Marek Rodak and Tom Cairney are still sidelined.

Tottenham
Giovani Lo Celso remains out while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has overcome a slight knock and could feature.

Match preview

A handful of bottom-half clubs are looking over their shoulders in the Premier League following a run of solid performances from 18th-placed Fulham and the Cottagers could blow open the relegation battle with a positive result against Tottenham.

Fulham have narrowed the gap between them and 17th spot to just three points after a five-match unbeaten streak in the top flight.

Scott Parker's men have been noticeably tighter at the back, keeping four clean sheets in their last five matches and shipping only nine goals in their last 12 Premier League encounters.

Tosin Adarabioyo and Lyon loanee Joachim Andersen have formed a great partnership at the back and will be central to the club's hopes of keeping out an inconsistent Spurs side at Craven Cottage.

Gareth Bale looked more like his former self when notching a brace and laying on an assist in Tottenham's 4-0 win over Burnley last time out and along with star forwards Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane, he forms part of what can be a devastating attack.

But while Tottenham took their chances, Burnley were poor at the back on that occasion and Fulham will be fully focused on limiting the space available to their London rivals in the final third.

Tottenham showed against Burnley what they can do when they try to maintain possession but against a Fulham side who are comfortable on the ball, Jose Mourinho may well revert to a more conservative approach with Spurs look to make quick counter-attacks.

While Fulham have looked more assured in defence than Tottenham's last opponents Burnley, they have also looked more accomplished in the final third.

Josh Maja already has two goals from four appearances since joining in January while Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has not enjoyed the strongest of seasons but remains an important player, is back after an absence due to Covid-19 and could start.

These sides met at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League in January and Fulham earned a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

It is worth remembering that before their win over Burnley, Tottenham had lost five of their previous six assignments and they have dropped points in seven of their 12 away league games in 2020-21.

Mourinho needs to do much more to keep the fanbase on his side and will be keen to string together some results before the North London derby later this month but they could be left frustrated at Craven Cottage.

Fulham make great appeal in the double-chance market and can avoid defeat.

Key stat

Only three of Fulham's 11 league defeats this season have come in 2021.

Not got a William Hill account? Sign up and bet £10 to get £30 in free bets

Open a new account using Promo code H30 only, Min £10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport