Fulham welcomes Wolverhampton Wanderers to Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon, with both sides needing momentum. The Cottagers wish to go up the Premier League ladder, while the Wolves need to get out of the relegation places.
Match Preview
Fulham represents a confident team going into this clash after back-to-back Premier League wins against Brentford and Crystal Palace. A dram¬tic 2-1 comeback against Brentford, inspired by the stoppage-time heroics of Harry Wilson, was followed by a mature 2-0 victory away to Palace. Marco Silva’s men now sit seventh in the league, with 18 points from 11 games.
A win at the weekend could take Fulham into the top four depending on how other results go. The Cottagers have been in decent form at Craven Cottage, picking up 10 points from their opening five home games (W3, D1, L1). However, Fulham haven’t won back-to-back home matches since March and face a Wolves side that often gives them fits.
Wolves, meanwhile, grabbed an overdue 2-0 victory against Southampton ahead of the international break, their first league win of the campaign. Pablo Sarabia’s record-breaking opener, followed by Matheus Cunha’s second-half effort, finally lifted Wolves off the foot of the table, although they stay 19th, two points adrift of safety.
After their tough beginning, Wolves now have a fairly easy run of fixtures. But all is not well in regards to their away form. The Midlanders have secured only one win in their last eight PL trips to Craven Cottage. On top, they have lost seven of the last 10 league games in London.
Team News
Fulham
The only major injury concern for Fulham remains Sasa Lukic, who has a shoulder injury from international duty. Raul Jimenez and Andreas Pereira are back from their international stints and may be available.
Harry Wilson is in electrifying form after netting three goals as a substitute in his last two appearances and may push Alex Iwobi or Reiss Nelson down the pecking order.
Predicted Fulham Lineup:
Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Pereira; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Nelson; Jimenez
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves remain plagued by a lengthy injury list. Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Boubacar Traore and Yerson Mosquera all continue to miss out with knee injuries. Santiago Bueno faces a late fitness test owing to a muscle injury, as does Hwang Hee-Chan, who has not played in four weeks with ankle ligament damage.
Wolves could also do with persistence in attack, with Matheus Cunha and Jorgen Strand Larsen probably leading the attack as they seek to build on their triumph.
Predicted Wolves Lineup:
Sa; Bueno, Dawson, Toti; Semedo, Lemina, Gomes, Ait-Nouri; Sarabia, Cunha; Strand Larsen
Key Insights
Fulham has managed to score in all five of their home matches this season, averaging 1.6 goals per game.
Wolves have scored in their last 10 Premier League games, finding the net at least twice in four of their last five outings.
Fulham’s last home match against Wolves ended in a 3-2 victory, their only win in their last eight league meetings with the West Midlands side.
Prediction
Fulham 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Goals are likely in this encounter with the way both teams have been attacking of late. The visitors do have some resilience about them, but attacking depth and home turf may eventually tell in Fulham’s favor. Expect Marco Silva’s side to edge a narrow win, as they did in this fixture last season.
