Fulham will want to continue their ascent up the Premier League table when they take a Sunderland side, who themselves are in desperate need of victory having picked up only a solitary point in their last six away games.
An impressive campaign for the Black Cats is in danger of being undermined by poor away results and has led manager Steve Bruce to warn his players he is not afraid to drop his stars if results do not improve.
A defeat to Fulham will see the Whites rise above Sunderland in the Premier league standings. However, there is hope for Sunderland as they possess a good record against Fulham. The Black Cats have not lost in their last five league games against the Cottagers beating them 1-0 at home last season and enduring a goalless draw on their last visit to Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers, on the other hand, have clambered into the top half of the top flight standings after suffering only one defeat in their last eight outings.
They will now be hoping to push on and repeat their heroics from last season, with European qualification once again the target for the men from Craven Cottage.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson will make a late check on Simon Davies ahead of the clash after the midfielder took a knock to his calf in the victory over CSKA Sofia.
Erik Nevland, Paul Konchesky and Jonathan Greening were all suspended for the Europa League win, so they return to the squad, along with Eddie Johnson, Seol Ki-Hyeon and Kagisho Dikgacoi who were not eligible.
Andy Johnson (groin), Diomansy Kamara and Dickson Etuhu (both knee) are all still struggling for match fitness.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce remains hopeful that striker Kenwyne Jones can recover from a dead leg to return to the first team on Sunday. The Trinidad and Tobago international picked up the injury just minutes into Tuesday night's 3-0 reserve team victory over Wigan on his comeback from a three-match ban.
However, central defender John Mensah is out with a recurrence of a calf problem which is causing some concern.
Midfielder Lee Cattermole could resume during the Christmas programme after returning to training following a medial ligament injury but tomorrow's game will come too soon for him while keeper Craig Gordon will be sidelined for months yet by a broken arm.
REVIEW:
Bobby Zamora scored his sixth goal of the season to help Fulham move up to eighth in the Premier League.
Zamora's solitary goal came in the seventh minute when he headed home John Pantsil's cross from the right wing. The striker could have added a second on the stroke of half-time but his header struck the crossbar, as Fulham looked to increase their advantage.
Sunderland, to their credit, enjoyed a better second half but they could not find a way past goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
Before that the visitors almost grabbed an early lead. Steed Malbranque, still jeered by home fans after leaving the club in 2006, was found when Lorik Cana robbed Paul Konchesky and slipped the ball through - but Mark Schwarzer was equal to the finish.
Then came Zamora's moment. Duff laid the ball back to John Pantsil on the right flank and when the ball came over Zamora zipped in front of Phil Bardsley to head home.
It was Zamora's sixth of the season and sparked his volatile celebration. He told his critics to shut up'' after pushing team-mate Duff in the chest.
Sunderland's poor start also included a booking for Kieran Richardson, triggering a suspension as it was his fifth of a season where he has already been banned following a red card.
Steve Bruce was forced to reshuffle his defence once again after Nevland was booked for a tough tackle on Ferdinand and the former West Ham man could not continue, limping off to be replaced by Nyron Nosworthy.
Richardson had Sunderland’s first decent chance of the match but he mis-hit his shot and the ball went well wide of Mark Schwarzer’s post.
Sunderland just couldn’t cope with Zamora and after Paul Konchesky’s cross, the striker got the best of Michael Turner but this time his header clattered off the crossbar.
Fulham were really pressing for the vital second goal and Nevland was saved from embarrassment thanks to the linesman’s flag. After Marton Fulop saved well from Nevland, the striker then blazed his rebound well over from close range.
Referee Mike Dean blew the half-time whistle and Sunderland were lucky to only be one nil down after a terrible first-half display.
Fabio Capello's men will have to be wary of Dempsey's shoot-on-sight policy, with the attacking-midfielder firing wide just after the restart.
At the other end, Konchesky's under-hit backpass presented a chance for Kenwyne Jones to score but the Trinidad and Tobago forward had his finish saved by Schwarzer.
The visitors got even closer to an equaliser when Darren Bent met Richardson's cross with a first-time volley that flew just wide.
Former Tottenham striker Bent also flashed wildly over the crossbar after Fulham failed to deal with a straightforward cross from Andy Reid.
Bolo Zenden came on for Sunderland and Schwarzer had to save his long-range effort before the end.
The final whistle sounded and Fulham hung on to claim a vital three points which lifts them up to eighth in the table, Sunderland drop one place to tenth and still have not won away from home since August.