Friday’s

It is the first time the two sides have met in the top tier of Scottish football and they go into the encounter with an identical record in terms of matches won, drawn and lost from their opening eight matches.

Both have one win and five draws, while they also boast a goal difference of minus one, although Ross County have scored and conceded almost half the amount of goals than their rivals.

Caley Thistle boss Terry Butcher has called on his players to become instant derby heroes given that Richie Foran could be the only fit and available home player to have played against County if goalkeeper Ryan Esson is ruled out with a groin injury.

However, the former England captain is confident his players will cope with the demands of a new experience and come out on top.

Inverness also go into the game in confident mood having followed up a 2-2 draw at Hibernian with a comfortable 4-0 victory against basement side Dundee last weekend to make it four unbeaten.

Ross County were unbeaten in 40 league games when they secured promotion to the SPL and have had a reasonable start in the top flight with only two defeats in their opening eight matches.

However, the problem for Derek Adams is the defeats have been in their last two outings – 2-1 at home to St Johnstone and a thrilling last-gasp 5-4 reverse at St Mirren at the weekend.

Having kept things solid at the back, albeit without scoring many goals at the other end of the field, County’s defence uncharacteristically folded against the Buddies and Adams will no doubt be keen to tighten things up again for the trip to Inverness with County 7/4 to collect three points.

However, four goals will be a positive to build on for the Dingwall outfit who also boast former Inverness players Ross Tokely, Grant Munro and Iain Vigurs who are no doubt looking to get one over their old club.

Historically, Inverness have the edge in games between the two clubs, but Ross County came out on top during the 2009/10 First Division campaign with two wins and a draw from the four games, including a 3-1 win at the Caledonian Stadium.

But Butcher’s side won 3-0 at home in the league that season and also defeated County 1-0 in a Scottish Challenge Cup encounter.

There is very little to pick between the two sides going into the match with Inverness’ positive recent run counting for little given the phrase that ‘the form book goes out of the window in derbies’.

A home win at 5/4 is worth serious consideration but with local pride at stake and a desire not to lose it will result in a tight game and the points shared.

Prediction: Draw – 90 Minutes @ 9/4
Value Bet: 1-1 Draw – Correct Score at 11/2

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Fulham against Atlético Madrid is one of the more unlikely pairings for a European Final, because Fulham are novices at this level and Atlético began the season with high hopes in the Champions League.

Fulham’s run has been a massive surprise but there is no doubting the quality of the teams they have despatched- Shahtar Donetsk, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg in the knockout roundsm plus Roma in the group stages.

• You Can Bet On this match: Athletico Madrid v Fulham Europa League Final

Atlético are another quality outfit to get past, despite their mediocre league form. The team from the capital were fourth last season and expected to make a bold challenge in the Champions League but it all went wrong for them.

The Europa League run has saved their campaign. Although they have lived dangerously at times, there is no doubting the attacking talent they can deploy with Diego Forlan, Sergio Aguero, Jose Reyes and Simao to call on.

Tactical Fulham Pose Threat

Fulham have made their way by being tactically aware, compact as a team and highly disciplined- that isn’t going to change for the final because Atlético present a real danger on the counter-attack.

Roy Hodgson is under no pressure to make the running in the game and will be quite happy to allow Atletico to come forward. However, the ‘Rojiblancos’ coach, Quique Sanches Flores, has also been cagey in this competition. Twice his team progressed by securing a 0-0 draw at home after scoring in the away leg.

This fixture has the makings of a ‘traditional’ European Final where the two sides feel each other out and search for an opening. Fulham will be desperate to have Bobby Zamora leading the line as the Englishman has kept defences occupied almost single-handedly in Europe.

• You Can Bet On this match: Athletico Madrid v Fulham Europa League Final

Hodgson will surely stick to his 4-5-1 formation asking Zoltan Gera and Damian Duff (if fit) to get close to Zamora. The Cottagers desperately need Zamora and Duff to be available and in good health if they are to list the trophy.

Focus on Aguero & Simao

Aguero is very much in the shop window as he’s talked about as a big money summer signing for one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Forlan has become a big game player who gets critical goals- he netted in both legs against Liverpool in the semi-final.

Simao will be leading light for Portugal in the World Cup and Fulham will want their midfielders to give protection to the back four as he and Reyes like to run at defences by cutting inside from wide.

Athlético are a better side than their La Liga position suggests and it will take iron discipline and patience from Fulham to prevail. Goals should be at a premium and the match could well go to extra time or be decided by one strike.

Related posts:

1. An All-English Europa League Final Is On The Cards
2. FA Cup Predictions: Fulham v Tottenham – A Tight Derby Expected
3. Europa League Predictions: Fulham Can Hold On At Wolfsburg

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