Fulham welcome Brentford to Craven Cottage in a West London derby clash.
Victory could see Fulham climb into the top-half of the table, whilst Brentford can go top with a win for at least a few hours with Arsenal not in action until Saturday teatime.
Team News
Andreas Pereira and Bobby Reid are both doubtful for Fulham as they both recover from knocks suffered in their goalless draw at Fulham.
Joe Bryan (hand) could feature for the first time this season but Manor Solomon and Harry Wilson (both knee) are ruled out.
Brentford could welcome Kristoffer Ajer and Sergio Canos back into contention for the first time this season, following recoveries from separate hamstring injuries.
Ethan Pinnock (knee) remains ruled out.
Stat Attack
- This is Fulham’s first Premier League meeting against Brentford but have won just one of their last seven clashes in all competitions (W1, D2, L4).
- Brentford are unbeaten in their last 11 visits to Craven Cottage in all competitions (W5, D6).
- Four of Fulham’s last six draws at home to Brentford have ended in 1-1 results.
- Fulham are looking to avoid drawing consecutive goalless matches for the first time since 0-0 draws against Liverpool and Wolves in April 2010.
- Ivan Toney has been involved in three goals for Brentford this season, having scored once and provided two assists in two appearances.
Prediction
Having scrapped their way to contrasting draws in their opening two fixtures, Fulham look a tricky team to read at present although their defence need a lower because they were lucky to not concede from high up the pitch at Wolves last weekend.
Marco Silva’s Cottagers though were again excellent on attack but wasted their chances to snatch a win, whilst Marek Rodak’s saves combined with poor finishing from Wolves proved enough for both teams to share a point.
Brentford meanwhile were pure brave in how they comfortably dominated Manchester United in a ruthless win, where aggressive pressing on and off the ball proved key alongside clinical bullying interceptions on top of game management in the second half.
This is a London derby though where pride is at stake but with both teams in decent form, I can actually see a decent cracker if both teams continue to play like they’ve been doing, although I am going for Brentford to edge this if Fulham’s defensive issues flare up again.
Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Brentford
Result: Fulham 3-2 Brentford
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