Tottenham Hotspur make a 20-mile trip south to Fulham on Sunday aiming to return to winning ways in the Premier League.
The Lilywhites lost 1-0 against Manchester United in their last outing to fall further off the title pace, effectively leaving them battling for a top-four spot in the remaining months of the campaign.
Fulham
© ReutersFulham appeared to have finally turned a corner under Claudio Ranieri when going three matches without defeat at Christmas time, following up draws with Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers with all three points against Huddersfield Town.
Aleksandar Mitrovic snatched victory for the Cottagers with a late strike, after Aboubakar Kamara had earlier missed a penalty, to lift his side into 18th place and just a point from safety at the time.
Two wins from eight under Ranieri in the Premier League is now two wins from 10, though, as Fulham then lost 4-1 away at Arsenal in a match far tighter than the scoreline suggests, before going down 2-1 at Burnley last time out.
The loss at Turf Moor was particularly tough for Ranieri to take, as Burnley did not register a single shot on target yet still managed to find the net twice through a couple of own goals.
That latest setback, coming on the back of a shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Oldham Athletic, leaves the West London side five points adrift of safety ahead of this visit of high-flying Tottenham.
Three of Fulham's next four matches are at Craven Cottage, with Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United also visiting the banks of the Thames over the next few weeks, but Ranieri's men have won just three of their 10 matches on home soil this term.
One of those victories came in their most recent home outing, however, and they are now looking to win consecutive Premier League games at Craven Cottage for the first time since April 2013.
If they are to achieve that feat this weekend then top scorer Mitrovic will no doubt be key, with the Serbian striker scoring in all three of his previous league games against Tottenham.
Recent form in Premier League: LDDWLL
Recent form (all competitions): DDWLLL
Tottenham Hotspur
© ReutersBack-to-back home defeats, either side of a 3-0 win at Cardiff City, has completely derailed Tottenham's title bid just as they were being mentioned as possible rivals to Manchester City's crown.
The Lilywhites had taken 36 points from a possible 42 between September 22 and Boxing Day, losing only to Man City and Arsenal, which had them hot on the heels of the Citizens and pacesetters Liverpool.
Tottenham's struggles against the fellow big boys has continued, though, with Man United picking up a 1-0 win at Wembley last weekend, albeit in a match that the home side dominated for large parts, and they suffered a further blow with the injury loss of Harry Kane.
If not for the heroics of David de Gea, Spurs could easily have taken all three points from the match to remain within six points of top spot. As it is, though, they are nine points adrift of Liverpool and are now looking over their shoulders at the chasing pack.
With fourth-placed Chelsea and fifth-in-the-table Arsenal facing off this weekend, Mauricio Pochettino's side have a chance to put plenty of space between themselves and the two sides directly below them.
Tottenham also have the chance to rebuild some momentum over the next few weeks, as they face Watford, Newcastle United and Leicester City in successive home matches following their London derby with Fulham.
It is on their travels that the Lilywhites have been at their best this term, though, winning more Premier League away games than any other side (10).
Tottenham are also unbeaten in their last 20 top-flight away games against promoted sides, winning 17 of those since a 1-0 loss at Queens Park Rangers in April 2012, but they have lost three of their four league games played on a Sunday this season, perhaps offering Fulham just a little hope.
Recent form in Premier League: WWWLWL
Recent form (all competitions): WLWWWL
Team News
© ReutersKane is not expected to return from his latest ankle injury layoff until early March, Son Heung-min is away on international duty and Vincent Janssen is training with the reserves, so Pochettino may well be forced to use Fernando Llorente up top for the time being.
Using Lucas Moura through the middle is another possible option, but the Brazilian attacker is a fitness doubt for Sunday's match after sustaining damage to his knee.
Moussa Sissoko is carrying a groin injury and both Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier are also on the sidelines, meaning Christian Eriksen may have to fill in alongside Harry Winks in a rejigged formation.
In terms of the hosts, Ryan Babel joined on loan from Besiktas earlier this week but will likely have to wait for his first Premier League start in more than eight years.
Alfie Mawson is still out with a knee problem and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is also a fitness doubt, meanwhile, which could lead to Ranieri going with the same XI that faced Burnley last week.
Rumoured Spurs target Ryan Sessegnon has five league assists and two goals to his name since helping Fulham to promotion last season, while Mitrovic has eight top-flight goals to his name, but only three sides have scored fewer goals than the Cottagers.
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rico; Odoi, Ream, Marchand; Christie, Chambers, Seri, Bryan; Schurrle, Mitrovic, Sessegnon
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Trippier, Winks, Eriksen, Rose; Dele, Llorente, Lamela
Head To Head
Tottenham have won nine of their last 10 Premier League meetings with Fulham, losing only in Match 2013 at White Hart Lane.
Following an unbeaten run of eight home games against their opponents, the Cottagers have since lost each of their last four league matches against Spurs at Craven Cottage.
Fulham have lost their last six London derbies in the top flight - only QPR have ever lost more in a row - while Tottenham's seven-match winning streak in such fixtures ended with a 4-2 loss to Arsenal in December.
We say: Fulham 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Even without their top scorer, Tottenham should have too much quality for a struggling Fulham side. The hosts struggle to keep opponents out and do not score often enough at the other end of the field - the perfect mix for a side destined for the drop.
