Fulham will attempt to bounce back from their 6-0 thrashing against Hull City last time out when they welcome fellow strugglers West Ham United on New Year's Day.

The Cottagers have lost three of their last four games in the Premier League, with that run of form leaving them in 18th position in the table, although victory could move them as high as 14th depending on other results on the day.

Their home form has been poor this season, however, with just two wins from their nine matches on their own patch, which is the joint-worst record in the division alongside basement club Sunderland.

West Ham, meanwhile, twice led against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, but had to settle for a 3-3 draw at Upton Park. That result left them in 19th spot in the table on 15 points.

Sam Allardyce's side have really struggled on the road, with just one win and five losses from their nine matches.

The reverse fixture earlier in the season ended in a 3-0 West Ham win, but Fulham were 3-1 victors when they welcomed the Hammers to Craven Cottage in the previous campaign.

Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen is expected to ring the chances following the heavy defeat against Hull, with the likes of Elsad Zverotic, Giorgos Karagounis and Hugo Rodallega among those expected to drop out of the first XI.

Scott Parker will return in midfield alongside Steve Sidwell, while there could also be a place in attack for Darren Bent with Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov still out with an injury.

West Ham, meanwhile, are still without the services of long-term absentee Andy Carroll, but the England international could return to first-team action in the middle of January.

His absence means that either Carlton Cole or Modibo Maiga will start as the lone forward, while Joe Cole is also expected to continue in attack.

The Hammers have a number of defensive concerns, however, with James Tomkins joining fellow centre-backs James Collins and Winston Reid on the sidelines. As a result, Joey O'Brien and Guy Demel could start in the middle of the back four for the away side.

Recent form:

Fulham: WLLWL

West Ham: DWLLD

Possible starting lineups

Fulham: Stockdale; Riether, Hughes, Amorebieta, Richardson; Parker, Sidwell, Kasami; Kacaniklic, Bent, Ruiz

West Ham: Jaaskelainen; McCartney, O'Brien, Demel, Rat; Noble, Diame, Nolan; Jarvis, Maiga, J Cole

Sports Mole says: 2-1