Both aiming for their initial Premier League win of 2024, Fulham invites Bournemouth to Craven Cottage this Saturday afternoon.
Marco Silva’s squad gave up a two-goal advantage ending in a 2-2 tie with Burnley, who are struggling to avoid relegation, last weekend. Similarly, the Cherries were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest.
Match preview
Fulham, still seeking their first Premier League win since the new year began, were close to securing their first victory in the top division of 2024 last weekend. Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Muniz had put the Cottagers ahead by two goals at Turf Moor.
Burnley looked set for another defeat at home, but a strategic substitution by Vincent Kompany allowed Chelsea’s David Datro Fofana to score twice in the last 20 minutes. His second goal, despite being somewhat accidental, was crucial.
Since narrowly defeating Rotherham United in the FA Cup, Fulham has been trying to win again but ended up with three draws and three losses. They’re currently 13th in the standings, and their situation could worsen without an improvement in results.
Fulham is only seven points above 18th-placed Everton in the relegation zone. However, scoring twice against Burnley matched their goal tally from their six previous league games, where Arsenal was the only team they managed to score against.
Moreover, 19 of Fulham’s 26 points this Premier League season have come at Craven Cottage, where they’ve secured 14 points from the last 18 available. Bournemouth, under Andoni Iraola, might be losing their momentum slightly.
Like their hosts, Bournemouth hasn’t celebrated a Premier League win since late 2023. Their winless streak extended to four games after last weekend’s draw with Nottingham Forest at the Vitality Stadium.
Just like in their previous draw with West Ham on February 1, the Cherries scored early through Justin Kluivert. However, a spectacular goal from Callum Hudson-Odoi, who later suffered from a harsh tackle by Philip Billing, ensured the teams shared the points.
The final 15 minutes were tense for Bournemouth fans after Billing was sent off, but neither team truly deserved to win. The Cherries’ earlier success has faded, having taken just two points from the last 12 available.
After winning six out of seven games from November 11 to Boxing Day, a four-game stretch without a win has seen Bournemouth’s good form decline. They are just above Fulham in 12th place by one point, with a game in hand.
Scoring in 10 of their 11 away Premier League games this season gives Bournemouth some confidence. They’ve also won their last two matches against Fulham, whose most recent victory over Bournemouth was in April 2019 thanks to an Aleksandar Mitrovic penalty.
Team News
Fulham welcomed back defender Fode Ballo-Toure in their last game, but Alex Iwobi and Ola Aina are still away at the Africa Cup of Nations as Nigeria faces Ivory Coast in the final this weekend.
Neither Raul Jimenez (thigh) nor Harry Wilson (shoulder) will be back for a few weeks, and the game might also be too soon for Issa Diop (hamstring). However, Adama Traore might make his long-awaited return from a similar issue.
With Fulham performing well for 70 minutes against Burnley, Silva might not change his starting lineup much. Muniz’s goal could mean Armando Broja, on loan from Chelsea, waits for his full debut.
Bournemouth added Enes Unal on loan from Getafe, but he couldn’t play against Nottingham Forest due to visa issues.
He’s now in England and expected to be available, unlike the suspended Billing. Antoine Semenyo’s substitution last game was tactical, and Ryan Christie should be ready despite a recent injury.
James Hill (ankle), Tyler Adams (thigh), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Max Aarons (thigh), and Darren Randolph (illness) are still unavailable.
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno;
Castagne, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson;
Palhinha, Cairney;
Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian;
Muniz
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Neto;
Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kelly;
Scott, Cook;
Tavernier, Kluivert, Sinisterra;
Solanke
Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Bournemouth
No team has failed to score in as many as Fulham’s 10 Premier League matches this season. In the last six games where they’ve scored, they’ve hit multiple goals each time.
This trend is likely to continue at a venue where they’ve recently had success, and with Bournemouth losing their spark under Iraola, Fulham is poised to celebrate their first Premier League win of 2024 and their first victory over the Cherries in nearly five years.
