Two promoted clubs collide at Craven Cottage as Fulham host Bournemouth.
Victory could put Fulham up to sixth depending on results elsewhere, whilst Bournemouth likewise could improve to sixth with a win due to their inferior goal difference to fifth-placed Manchester United.
Team News
Aleksandar Mitrovic could return for Fulham after he missed the Cottagers’ defeat at West Ham due to a foot injury.
Kenny Tete (fitness) is a doubt but Nathaniel Chalobah (suspension), Layvin Kurzawa, Willian (both calf) and Manor Solomon (knee) remain absent.
Bournemouth could have Ben Pearson (knee) and Joe Rothwell (quad) available for selection.
Junior Stanislas (muscle), Lloyd Kelly (ankle) and David Brooks (fitness) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Fulham have won just one of two previous Premier League meetings against Bournemouth (W1, L1).
- Bournemouth won their only previous Premier League visit to Fulham 3-0 in October 2018.
- The team playing away have won each of the two previous Premier League clashes between Fulham and Bournemouth.
- Fulham are yet to keep a clean sheet at home this season (W2, D1, L1), having scored eight goals and conceded nine goals in four matches.
- Bournemouth are looking to go six matches unbeaten in the Premier League for the first time since a seven-match run between December 2017 – February 2018.
Prediction
Despite not having Mitrovic available last weekend, Fulham certainly made a great start in their eventual defeat at West Ham with excellent counter-attacking pace, yet just lacked the final touch beyond their opening goal whilst defending just proved costly in a decent display.
Should Mitrovic now be available, I do expect Fulham to really go for the win here but if not, Marco Silva’s Cottagers know that they can now play well without the Serbian if they build upon last weekend’s performance but go more on attack now.
Bournemouth meanwhile are now unbeaten in five matches but they need to find more consistency in defence, having looked poor in the first half against Leicester, although more pace and clinical finishing proved crucial in a second-half comeback.
Gary O’Neil’s Cherries though will need to be solid across 90 minutes because if Fulham play like they did last weekend – with or without Mitrovic, I can see just one result although this could well be a close contest if Bournemouth can show the same unity and quality seen in recent weeks.
Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Bournemouth
Result: Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth
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