Fulham kicks off this weekend’s Premier League action in Friday Night Football as they welcome Leeds United to Craven Cottage.
Victory for Fulham would lift them out of the relegation zone at Newcastle’s expense for at least 24 hours, whereas Leeds can go above Crystal Palace into 11th with a win.
Team News
Bobby Reid is a doubt for Fulham with a knock.
Marek Rodak (finger) and Tom Cairney (knee) remain absent.
Leeds will be without Liam Cooper until after the international break due to illness.
Patrick Bamford (hip), Pablo Hernandez and Rodrigo (both muscle) face late fitness tests, whilst Leif Davis (knock) and Adam Forshaw (hip) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Fulham have won just two of their last five Premier League meetings against Leeds (W2, L3).
- Leeds are winless in three Premier League trips to Craven Cottage without scoring (D1, L2).
- None of last six top-flight meetings in this fixture have ended in a draw since their first Premier League clash finished goalless in December 2001.
- Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds have lost all five away league trips to London this season, conceding 16 goals and scoring just four goals.
- Fulham have scored just twice in seven home league games in 2021.
Prediction
Fulham weren’t ever going to really beat Manchester City last weekend but defensive errors after half-time ultimately cost them with three conceded goals, although they did show some attacking quality late on after the damage had been done.
Leeds meanwhile delivered a solid all-round performance against Chelsea last time out, even despite losing Bamford to injury and seeing Luke Ayling’s defensive mistake luckily just fly over the bar.
This therefore should be a good game because with Leeds’ poor away record in London, this is a huge chance for Fulham to get a win but their home form in 2021 is just as bad so expect to see a cagey contest here.
I however am punting on a home win because Fulham will be able to play more open than they did last weekend, so should have enough to crack Leeds whose defence is often inconsistent.
Prediction: Fulham 1-0 Leeds
Result: Fulham 1-2 Leeds
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