Filed under: Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: CRAVEN COTTAGE, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1600 BSTThese two sides have amassed a measly total of just one point from their opening matches this season; a statistic neither manager will be pleased with.
The Fulham manager, Martin Jol, saw his side earn that point from a goalless draw with Aston Villa on the opening day of the season while there have been defeats at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle.
Perhaps it was those two results that prompted the signing of striker Bryan Ruiz from FC Twente for the sum of £10.6 million in the transfer window.
Steve Kean has endured an even worse start, with Blackburn yet to register a single point after starting the season with three straight defeats.
That has resulted in calls for the removal of the Rovers manager from fans frustrated at the lack of progress since their team's narrow relegation escape at the end of last season.
While Fulham have been doing their best to boost their attacking threat, Blackburn's problems have been in defence.
Rather strangely, like Fulham they have played Aston Villa and Wolves, however on both occasions Rovers were on the losing end. Kean's side have also lost to Everton.
There were several new arrivals at Ewood Park in the transfer window as Yakubu, Scott Dann and Simon Vukcevic were recruited and could feature on Sunday.
Key Match-up: Bryan Ruiz v Chris Samba. The forward, Ruiz, arrived at Craven Cottage with a big reputation - and with a big transfer fee. There will be great interest to see whether he can repeat his free-scoring at Fulham. While playing in the Eredivisie for Twente, Ruiz scored 36 goals in 61 games and Jol's team need that firepower. It has been one area where Fulham have struggled in the past, particularly whenever Bobby Zamora is missing. Ruiz is likely to be given a rough ride by Samba. The towering defender remained with Rovers, despite plenty of speculation that he would join Arsenal in the transfer window. The centre-back will be instrumental in helping Rovers try to keep a clean-sheet.
Form Guide: Neither of these sides are in form. It could be argued that Fulham are marginally the better, having at least taken a point from their opening three games this season. In the past two years, the Whites have come off the better, beating Rovers 3-2 last season and 3-0 the year before that. Historically, however, Blackburn edge this battle with 34 victories to Fulham's 26.
Odds: Fulham 4-6, Blackburn 9-2, Draw 13-5
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/09/10/fulham-v-blackburn-preview-steve-kean-pleads-for-patience/
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