Fulham and Sunderland Prepare for High-Stakes European “Six-Pointer”
Fulham travel to the Stadium of Light this Sunday for a pivotal Premier League clash that could define the European aspirations of both clubs. With the Cottagers sitting six points adrift of seventh place and Sunderland holding a narrow two-point lead over them, the margin for error has all but vanished.
While Sunderland has struggled on the road, their home form remains formidable, with only a single defeat at the Stadium of Light all season. Fulham, meanwhile, enters the contest knowing that a loss could see their dreams of continental football slip further out of reach.
Sunderland Injury Update
Manager Regis Le Bris will have to navigate this fixture without two of his most experienced figures, though recovery timelines are becoming clearer.
- Bertrand Traore (Out): Traore remains sidelined with an injury similar to Xhaka’s. Le Bris expects him to be out for approximately three more weeks, targeting a return in March.
- Granit Xhaka (Out): The veteran midfielder is in the same boat as Traore. While his recovery is progressing well, he is confirmed to miss at least one more week of action.
Fulham Injury Update
Marco Silva is dealing with his own set of selection headaches, though he may receive a significant boost in the middle of the park.
- Tom Cairney (Doubt): There is optimism surrounding the captain. After sitting out last week due to a calf knock, Silva noted the injury wasn’t serious. If he passes late fitness tests, he is expected to be in contention.
- Sasa Lukic (Out): The Serbian midfielder remains unavailable. As of early February, he had not yet returned to team training, suggesting he is still at least a week or two away from a return to the matchday squad.
The Outlook
With both sides missing key midfield personnel, the tactical battle between Le Bris and Silva will likely center on who can better stabilize the center of the pitch. For Fulham, the potential return of Cairney could be the deciding factor in breaking down a Sunderland defense that has been nearly impenetrable at home.
