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Fulham - Swansea
Fulham are in a pretty good shape, before stoppage time defeat at Birmingham they had three consecutive wins in league. At home they have four league wins out of last five (six out of eight) and at Cottage they have scored 29 of their season total of 37. Board wisely replaced Zamora with Pavel Pogrebnyak which seems to be a great piece of business, since Russian has scored five goals in his four outings.
Swans are euphoric after massive home win against spoiled millionaires, but as Fulham they also show much better displays at home. Away they’ve noticed only three wins out of 14 matches (eight defeats) and absence of suspended Nathan Dyer will be a serious blow for their counters and attacking threats. They were defeated in last four visits to Craven Cottage, conceding a total of 14 goals.
It’s always a danger to bet when play two teams from the middle (and probably nothing to play for), but today think I have valid reasons for backing Fulham.
Bet: Fulham -0.75
Odd: 2.09 (Pinnacle)
Stake: 8/10
Odd: 2.09 (Pinnacle)
Stake: 8/10
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Millwall - Southampton
Millwall are only six points far from relegation line, but considering the strength of teams below I am pretty sure their status is not in danger. However, their recent home results are horrible with five defeats and a draw out of six. Millwall have the worst record in the division against any of the current top-half sides and huge blow is absence of Liam Trotter due to injury.
The Saints are still on the top and I am of belief they’ll just stay there. Besides Reading, Southampton are side in the best shape, undefeated in last nine and conceded only three goals in those. They’re league top scorers (total of 65 goals) and Nigel Adkins will have a fully fit squad today.
Any visit to the Den is certainly not a walk through the park, but obvious difference in quality and recent results should provide a nice away win.
Odd: 2.12 (Pinnacle)
Stake: 7/10
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Nothing much to say about Chelsea. They have a title in the hands and need a win which would be a first Premier-FA Cup double in the club’s history. They play at home where have 16 wins of 18 games, just one draw (Everton 3-3) and one defeat (Man City 2-4). Chelsea surprisingly lost the first game vs.Wigan on the road 1-3, but in nine games before that have eight wins and a draw. Carlo Ancelotti will name the same squad that won at Liverpool.
Wigan are probably the most unpredictable side in Premier, usually give their best against strongest sides but slip against bottom clubs. They would surely like to make themselves famous by burying Chelsea at Stamford. But, there’re few problems. Three players are the spine of the team. Chris Kirkland has a finger injury which means Vladimir Stojkovic deputize him again. Stojkovic is a joke and I’m especially annoyed he’s the first option for Serbian national team. Second of those three is Titus Bramble, key defender, who is out with a foot problem. And third is winger Charles N'Zogbia who could return (but won’t be 100% fit) after recovering from an ankle injury.
Fulham made a first class surprise qualifying for EL semi-final. Hodgson said Europe will have priority over Premier. Well, it’s not like I believe what managers talking (especially Hodgson), but they’re safe in Premier and it looks like a natural thing. They’re going to rest some players. Zamora won’t play (although it still hasn’t been confirmed). Maybe few others. If we add their terrible record on the road (15 matches without an away win in the league) and the fact Anfield Road is not a happy place for them (haven’t won in 28 attempts), I think surprise will hardly happen. 
Wolfsburg 0 - 1 Fulham (agg 1 - 3)
Wolfsburg – Fulham
Ex German champion eliminated Villarreal and Rubin in past two rounds. They have three consecutive wins in domain league (with three clean sheets) and their self confidence should be very high. They gain an attacking style of play and I doubt they’ll change it for tonight’s clash. From their point of view, they’ll play against average English team and won’t give them too much respect. Main problem is appearance of their best striker Edin Dzeko who is rated 50-50 to play. Even without him, 
Fulham traveled to Ukraine without a pressure as their status in domain league is safe. Boss Roy Hodgson doesn’t have too big squad to rotate players and I expect their best eleven from the start. Cottagers are typical home side and have a lots of problems on the road, in Premier League and in Europe as well. In Europa League, they managed just one away win Basel (3-2). Hodgson stated he has no intention of playing for a draw, but attacking formation against Shakhtar on the road could be only a death penalty. I expect their cautious start with not too much risk. Their advantage could be set-pieces and individual efforts of Damien Duff or excellent Bobby Zamora. However, Fulham will be without on-loan defender Nicky Shorey who is ineligible for the match, while full-back Paul Konchesky is still injured. 
