Fulham – West Ham : Preview & Prediction
While their opponents had to make up a postponed Matchday 7 fixture on Wednesday night, Fulham spent the week dealing with the fallout from last month’s absurd FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United. Manager Marco Silva and star striker Aleksandar Mitrović received heavy fines and suspensions of two and eight games, respectively, for their indiscretions, which was the last thing the London club needed after a surprise 2-1 loss to relegation contenders Bournemouth last weekend.
The grueling grind of a Premier League (PL) campaign seems to have caught up with the Cottagers, whose bid to qualify for European competition after a decade-long wait is in dire need of a revival after three consecutive PL defeats. Fulham’s problems against the competition’s elite sides have been well documented, but their difficulties are now being magnified, with their recent failures against Bournemouth and Wolves (E 1-1) suggesting that nothing can be taken for granted.
Perhaps even a West Ham United side that was abysmally thrashed 5-1 at home to Newcastle during the week cannot be taken lightly. Only goal difference kept them above the danger zone going into this matchday, and with four of the current top five clubs still to play in the race, their survival must surely now be under threat.
David Moyes was confident after the defeat that he would not join the list of more than a dozen PL managers who have been sacked this season, and told the media that the board “have my back, but if you lose like that as a manager, you are always in danger.” The last thing he needs right now is his first personal head-to-head loss to Fulham in 14 competitive games (G9, E4), but with his side taking points from less than a third of their PL away games (G1, E3, P9) this season, it certainly wouldn’t be a surprise.
Players to watch: Fulham could benefit from Manor Solomon regaining some of the form that saw him score in five consecutive official appearances (G4, E1) earlier this year. After scoring the first goal in the first-round meeting between the sides, West Ham’s Jarred Bowen has now found the back of the net in four of his seven appearances against Fulham.
Big Fact: The pre-match favorite has won a league-low 32% of West Ham’s PL clashes this season (G6, E6, P7).
Fulham – West Ham : Betting Tips
Fulham – Win Odds: 2.55
