It's almost impossible to dislike Fulham boss Roy Hodgson. Mainly because he's well-spoken, knowledgeable and looks like a wise owl. He's a damn good Premier League manager too, as he's demonstrated with Fulham's steady - if undramatic - improvement under his stewardship. So even when he admitted yesterday that he was already regretting letting striker Diomansy Kamara leave on loan, we were inclined to admire his honesty rather than criticise him for an apparent lack of foresight.
Hodgson claimed that his current injury crisis is the worst he's ever experienced, with Zoltan Gera, Paul Konchesky, Clint Dempsey, John Pantsil and Simon Davies all joining Johnson on the sidelines. So it does seem a bit odd that he sanctioned Kamara's move to Celtic just two days ago, despite him not knowing at the time that Johnson's knee injury could now threaten his season. Odder still, that he didn't insist on a recall clause being included.
Nonetheless, Fulham's problems barely register when compared to that of their opponents. After all, Hodgson was able to bring in Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka to alleviate matters, and both are likely starters tonight. Opposite number Avram Grant didn't have such luxury, and might even be a tad relieved that Younes Kaboul and keeper Asmir Begovic were the only departures, given Pompey's financial plight.
Therefore, with Avram's problems far outweighing Roy's, we're suggesting placing your free football bet on it being Fulham's first win in six league games tonight, at 1.83, though it won't be a walkover - Pompey (5.7 to win) showed enough fight at City at the weekend to suggest that they aren't yet ready to accept the title of top-flight whipping boys. Despite that, Betfair.com don't think they've got the cutting edge to even earn a draw at 3.55.
We can't see it being a goalfest, Fulham have scored just three times in their last six, so under 1.5 goals at 3.2, Fulham to win 1-0 at 7.0 and a Fulham clean sheet at 2.22 look the evening's best football bets. And with Pompey's French defensive bruiser now back at Spurs, Fulham will look to set pieces to score with Hangeland a good outside bet to score at 18.0.
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