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Europa League Preview: Fulham - Shaktar Donetsk
Cottagers welcome cup holders to west London...
| Bet: | Returns: | Fulham £19.50 | Draw £34.00 | Stoke City £37.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Fulham £20.00 | Draw £32.00 | Stoke City £40.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Fulham £20.50 | Draw £33.00 | Stoke City £37.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Fulham £19.50 | Draw £35.00 | Stoke City £40.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Fulham £19.90 | Draw £34.00 | Stoke City £42.50 |
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Feb 17, 2010 6:32:00 PM
By James Daly
Kick-off: Thursday February 18, 2010. 20:05 GMT
Craven Cottage, London
Craven Cottage, London
Shaktar Donetsk hold a special title - the last winners of the UEFA Cup. Of course, the competition is now called the Europa League, but as holders the Ukrainian outfit will be keen to defend their title in Hamburg come May.
But they come up against a spirited Fulham side in the second round, who have been galvanised under Roy Hodgson.
However, that excellent form from the beginning of season which saw the Cottages turn over Manchester United 3-0, evaporated at the beginning of 2010 with the team having to wait until February for a league win.
But with four clean sheets in the last four games, and plenty of goals, confidence will be high in the west London camp.
Shaktar remain an unknown outfit, buried away in Eastern Europe, but are currently second in the Ukrainian Premier League, just a point off leaders Dinamo Kiev and have only lost once all season.
But Shaktar are out of practice, having not played since December on account of the league's massive mid-season break. A large number of the Shakhtar squad are home-based players, although there is a considerable Brazilian influence in midfield with Fernandinho, Jadson and Ilsinho all regulars.
Top top scorer is Luiz Adriano who has nine goals in 14 League appearances as well as five in European competition.
Anyone in Fulham expecting an easy ride against one of Europe's less-fashionable clubs will be in for a rude awakening.
FORM
Fulham
Jan 30: Fulham 0-2 Aston Villa
Feb 02: Fulham 1-0 Portsmouth
Feb 06: Bolton 0-0 Fulham
Feb 09: Fulham 3-0 Burnley
Feb 14: Fulham 4-0 Notts Co (FA Cup)
Shaktar
Dec 16: FK Partizan 1-0 Shakhta (Europa League)
Dec 12: Shakhtar 2-1 Illychivets
Dec 9: Shakhtar 2-0 Metalurh Z
Dec 6: Kryvbas 0-2 Shakhtar
Dec 3: Shakhtar 0-0 Brugge (Europa League)
TEAM NEWS
Fulham
Roy Hodgson is still without Clint Dempsey who has a knee ligament injury while Andrew Johnson (knee) and John Pantsil (cruciate ligament) are both unavailable.
Hodgson had hoped to have left-back Paul Konchesky available, but the defender failed a late test on his ankle. However, Zoltan Gera is back from his knee injury. On loan Aston Villa defender Nick Shorey and Roma loanee Stefano Okaka are both unavailable as they are cup-tied.
Shaktar
The Ukraine outfit have inspirational midfielder Razvan Rat available, but he would miss the second leg if he is booked at Craven Cottage. Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano poses the biggest threat to Fulham, who should have an advantage in terms of match fitness.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham - Damien Duff
The Irish winger has found a new lease of life under Roy Hodgson after disappointing spells at Chelsea and Newcastle.
And the Fulham boss will need Duff at his best as he tries to cope without Andy Johnson and Stefano Okaka.
Playing behind Bobby Zamora, Duff could be the key to unlock a tough Shaktar defence.
Shaktar - Darijo Srna
The speedy right-back cum winger is Shaktar captain and their best player. It's somewhat surprising the 27-year-old is still at the club having been heavily linked with a move to Italy and Spain for some time.
But Fulham should watch out for his marauding runs down the right flank and dangerous crossing, which if it isn't blocked out, could be the home side's undoing.
PREDICTION
Despites having a relatively low profile outside their native Ukraine, Shaktar are a tidy outfit.
They perform better at home, but should not be underestimated by an inconsistent Fulham team.
However, with the Craven Cottage crowd behind Hodgson's team, their best bet at a result is Thursday night.
Fulham 2-1 Shaktar
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