West Bromwich Albion vs. Fulham: Team news and preview

West Bromwich Albion have been the surprise package of 2012/13 so far, and the Baggies will be hoping to continue their run into the new year by beating Fulham at the Hawthorns. Considering how poorly Fulham have played of late -- they've picked up just one point in their past four games -- that doesn't look like it'll be too much of a problem.

Steve Clarke's side has recovered from their November blip and before running into league leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford had two wins on the trot. But they're starting to slip relative to the Champions League places, with Tottenham Hotspur opening up a three point gap ahead of them while Arsenal sit level on points with a game in hand. It's imperative that West Brom pick up the easy points, and games don't get much easier than this.

Fulham have looked absolutely terrible over their last few matches, contriving to hand Queens Park Rangers their first Premier League victory of the season before allowing Stewart Downing to rip them apart a few days later at Anfield. A home draw against Southampton is hardly impressive, and the subsequent loss to Swansea City wasn't exactly inspiring either. The Cottagers have the quality to dent the Baggies' Champions League dreams, but they haven't shown it recently.

West Bromwich Albion injuries and suspensions

In doubt: Jonas Olsson (groin), Steven Reid (ankle), Goran Popov (hamstring), Youssouf Mulumbu (hamstring), Claudio Yacob (hamstring)

Fulham injuries and suspensions

Out: Mahamadou Diarra, Mladen Petric. In doubt: Damien Duff, Mark Schwarzer

Date/Time: Tuesday, January 1st. 12:45 pm GMT (7:45 am EST).

Venue: Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England.

TV information: Sky Sports 1 (U.K.), Fox Soccer Channel (USA)