Cardiff basement battle is last chance for floundering Fulham

What do Felix Magath and Roy Hodgson have in common? They both lost their first home Premier League match in charge of Fulham to Chelsea.

It took current England boss Hodgson five attempts to get his first win in west London. German gaffer Magath will be hoping it’s third time lucky as he takes Fulham to Cardiff City in the basement battle.

The Craven Cottage club have actually taken one more point on their travels than at home this term.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Bluebirds, meanwhile, have scored just five Premier League goals on their own turf in eight games, since holding his former club Manchester United to a 2-2 draw in November under predecessor Malky Mackay.

All have been scored by different players, but Coral are undeterred by shot-shy Cardiff – or the fact they’ve picked up a paltry four points from 21 on offer since Solskjaer took charge – as they make them 13/10 favourites to win.

That would fail to lift them out of the bottom three because of inferior goal difference, but it may seal Fulham’s fate.

Magath’s men are 2/1 shots to earn a fourth away win of the season, but failure to do so looks terminal for their top-flight status because of the run-in. Even the most optimistic Fulham fan will struggle to see where points will come from in their remaining matches in March.

Clashes with Newcastle United, Manchester City and Everton – all top half teams – could well see the Cottagers truly cut adrift. A trip to Aston Villa and hosting Norwich City, a side Fulham always seem to beat, are more forgiving fixtures before Easter, but these winnable games come too late.

After tackling Tottenham in a televised match, Magath entertains Hull City, who may have reached safety by then. A tough trip to Stoke City before a final day derby with Crystal Palace completes Fulham’s programme.

There are points up for grabs here, but lose to Solskjaer’s side and 36 is the absolute maximum they can realistically attain.

Despite Cardiff struggling to score and the traditionally poor away Premier League performances by Fulham, one thing that is virtually guaranteed here is goals. The last no score draw came way back in 1974.