SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
It may be Christmas time, but at Craven Cottage there’s not time to be getting festive.
Indeed, the Whites face a massive game this weekend as they prepare to take on Southampton at Craven Cottage on Boxing Day.
Usually, you’d say a clash between the 18th-placed and the 7th-placed side in the Premier League would be something of a one-sided affair, but the Whites have every reason to fancy themselves for this clash.
Indeed, with Danny Ings a doubt and Oriol Romeu suspended for this one, the Saints will be forced to field a depleted squad, but another bit of early injury news hints that Aleksandar Mitrovic could have a field day against the Saints.
Of course, we never want to see a player injured, but the news that Jannik Vestergaard has picked up a minor knock ahead of this game, is rather welcomed.
Vestergaard has all the tools to be Mitrovic’s kryptonite. He’s tall, he’s strong, he’s amazing in the air and he reads the game well, but if he is missing for this one, Mitrovic could get back to scoring form.
Indeed, we all know that Mitrovic is at his best when he can win the aerial battle against the centre-back tasked with marking him, and with Vestergaard potentially out of the equation, he has a much better chance of getting the better of Jack Stephens, who wins 1.5 aerial duels per game, compared to Vestergaard’s massive 4.2.
Perhaps this bit of news should see Scott Parker make a bit of a tactical tweak for this game.
As we’ve mentioned previously, Mitrovic would benefit from having Joe Bryan and Kenny Tete back in the team, and while Tete may still be out of action for this game, putting Bryan in could be something of a masterstroke.
If Mitrovic wants to get back amongst the goals and regain his confidence, this may be his best opportunity yet.
