Relegation battling Bournemouth meet Fulham at Vitality Stadium in a Premier League encounter.
Victory would see Bournemouth climb out of the relegation zone, whilst Fulham will stay ninth with a win.
Team News
Illia Zabarnyi could make his debut for Bournemouth after recovering from an ankle injury which has kept him sidelined since he joined the club in January.
Marcus Tavernier (hamstring) and Junior Stanislas (unspecified) could also feature if declared available for selection.
Fulham will be without Aleksandr Mitrovic and Willian after the pair were red carded in the Cottagers’ controversial FA Cup exit at Manchester United.
Shane Duffy (calf) could return but Neeskens Kebano (Achilles) and Layvin Kurzawa (knee) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Bournemouth host Fulham at Vitality Stadium in a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday 1 April, albeit untelevised in UK.
Stat Attack
- Bournemouth are unbeaten in two of three previous Premier League meetings against Fulham (W1, D1, L1).
- Fulham won their only previous Premier League visit to Bournemouth (W1), prevailing 1-0 in April 2019.
- Bournemouth have scored in six of their last seven home matches against Fulham (W3, D2, L2).
- Gary O’Neil’s Cherries have scored in all five home matches across all competitions in 2023 (W1, D2, L2).
- Manor Solomon has scored in each of Fulham’s last two away matches in Premier League (W1, L1).
Prediction
Given their involvement in a nine-way scrap for survival, Bournemouth can’t afford to repeat their sloppy defensive errors which cost them against Aston Villa, amidst decent attacking opportunities let down by poor end product which needs to be cut out if want to start finding more wins.
Fulham meanwhile enter this match without two quality players in Willian and Mitrovic and have hit a rut with just one win in their last five games across all competitions, so the international break has been the ideal chance to reset given that an European spot is achievable come end of season.
Marco Silva’s Cottagers though should be encouraged by how they performed against Man Utd until a late disciplinary and defensive implosion cost them victory, although they are going to need players to step up in the absence of Willian and Mitrovic if want a win here.
I am therefore expecting a tough game because neither team has been particularly consistent lately but if there is a winner, it probably will be Bournemouth if they can impose their compact disciplined play well and clinically take their chances.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Fulham
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