West Ham continue to fight for Premier League survival in a London derby against Fulham.
Victory could move the third-bottom Hammers to within two points of safety if Nottingham Forest lose in the lunchtime kick-off.
Fulham can climb as high as ninth with a win if results elsewhere go in their favour.
Team News
Niclas Fullkrug is unavailable for West Ham as he nears a loan move to AC Milan which will be finalised once the transfer window opens in January, but the Hammers otherwise don’t have any fresh injury worries after their 3-0 defeat away at Manchester City.
El Hadji Malick Diouf, Aaron Wan-Bissaka (both international duty) and Lukasz Fabianski (back) remain absent.
Fulham could be without winger, Harry Wilson after he suffered a knock during their 1-0 home win against Nottingham Forest.
Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi (all international duty), Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon (both hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
West Ham host Fulham at London Stadium on Saturday 27 December at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- West Ham have claimed four points from two of their last four meetings against Fulham (W1, D1, L2).
- Fulham have won just one of their last 14 league visits to West Ham (W1, D4, L9).
- West Ham have scored three goals in three of their five home games against Fulham at the London Stadium.
- West Ham have lost all four London derbies this season at home (L4).
- Fulham’s four yellow cards in two away London derbies this season all were shown in the second half (W1, L1), as they lost 2-0 at Chelsea in August then won 2-1 at Tottenham in November.
Prediction
Despite their destined defeat at Man City through sloppy defensive moments, West Ham at least did take some fight to the Cityzens in terms of attacking performance despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise, so they now need to be more polished and clinical in this winnable game.
Fulham meanwhile were marginally clinical against Forest in an otherwise closely-fought game where their defensive organisation and marking limited Forest’s attacking chances, yet they dug in for the win via a first-half penalty so can come here with renewed confidence.
West Ham though know that this fortnight is huge for their survival chances as they face teams around them so I expect them to come out fighting for the home fans, but that might suit Fulham if they can soak up the pressure and grind out a result.
Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Fulham
Result: West Ham 0-1 Fulham
Leave a Reply