A Shot in the Dark

Carling Cup / Editor / 26 September 2007 / Leave a Comment

Bolton's Carling Cup tie at Fulham will be difficult to predict

Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez bemoaned his side's poor defending prior to the weekend game with Manchester City - and they duly responded by conceding three more in a 3-3 thriller.

There is plenty to suggest another goal bonanza could be on the cards between two teams struggling in the Premier League, who see the Carling Cup trophy as a realistic target. Over the past five years and 12 games, meetings between these sides have netted an aggregate 31 goals with results fairly evenly split.

But it was Fulham who drew first blood between the sides this season, winning 2-1 at Craven Cottage in August, and there are some attractive prices on offer for a high scoring encounter in the 'Correct Score' market. A 1-1 scoreline is the favourite at 7.2 while over 2.5 goals could attract plenty of interest at 2.06.

Famed for their strong form at the Cottage prior to this season, Fulham have seen the ball hit the back of their net on 12 occasions in their seven Premier League games so far. However, they have managed nine goals at home and only Arsenal have a better scoring record at home in the Premier League. Despite shutting out Shrewsbury in the second round, they have not managed a clean sheet in eight games against Premier League opposition.

Meanwhile, 2004 Carling Cup finalists Bolton, who were so solid under the reign of Sam Allardyce, are leaking like a sieve this term (13 from eight games in all competitions). They have managed only one clean sheet as they find themselves two places below Fulham in 18th spot in the Premier League.

Sammy Lee, who says he is determined to plug the leaks at the back, will be without Ivan Campo as a precaution, after he picked up a minor groin injury against Tottenham. Midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson could play after recovering from a groin problem, there may also be a start for striker Daniel Braaten and Stelios looks set to make his first appearance of the season.

Sanchez has promised to name a strong Fulham team in a bid to progress - they are 1.53 to do so ahead of Bolton at 2.34 - and Danny Murphy and Seol Ki-Hyeon are pressing for places. The former Northern Ireland boss could also start with Diomansy Kamara (two goals from one start) in attack as David Healy or Clint Dempsey miss out.