Prediction: Fulham vs Aston Villa

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who find themselves seeking a much-needed boost on Thursday night, Fulham will welcome Aston Villa to Craven Cottage.

Fulham

Starting with the hosts, while Fulham might have shocked many across the Premier League with their eye-catching start back in August, Marco Silva’s side have largely failed to keep up that momentum. Despite coming from behind twice last weekend as they played out a 2-2 draw at home against fellow top-flight returners Bournemouth, the one-time Everton boss has seen his side muster just a single victory from any of their previous five appearances on either side of September’s international break. Opening October with back-to-back 4-1 and 3-1 losses at the hands of Newcastle and West Ham, the Cottagers fear that they could be dragged into a relegation scrap. Likewise, along with shockingly crashing out of the EFL Cup back on August 23rd as they were hit with a deserved 2-0 defeat away at League Two outfit Crawley, Fulham are also seeking some much-needed stability at the back.

Team News

Finding the net against Bournemouth last weekend, former West Ham defender Issa Diop will be hoping to keep his spot on Thursday night. Likewise, bagging his seventh Premier League strike of the season last time out, attacking talisman Aleksandar Mitrović will spearhead Fulham’s charge here.

However, Silva will be unable to call upon the likes of Nathan Chalobah, Kenny Tete, Manor Solomon and Layvin Kurzawa in midweek.

Aston Villa

As for the visitors, while Aston Villa might have put in a largely gritty display on home soil last weekend, Steven Gerrard finds himself under a huge amount of pressure in the Midlands. Eventually getting hit with a 2-0 loss against Chelsea, the former Rangers boss is enduring somewhat of a Premier League nightmare this season. Despite opening the 2022/23 campaign with their sights set on trying to mount a European charge, Villa are firmly battling it out at the foot of the table. Failing to pick up a single victory since returning from September’s international break, Gerrard’s men are really seeking a much-needed boost on Thursday night. Mustering just a single win from any of their last eight Premier League outings – a run that stems all the way back to August 13th – the midweek guests are also searching for a clinical edge in the final third.

Team News

Mustering just a single strike since opening the 2022/23 campaign, Danny Ings could be replaced by Emi Buendia in Gerrard’s attack on Thursday night. However, still struggling with his form, former Liverpool superstar Philippe Coutinho is expected to remain among Villa’s substitutes at Craven Cottage.

Gerrard will once again be without Diego Carlos, Lucas Digne and Boubacar Kamara when they travel to west London in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back in April 2021, Aston Villa picked up a 3-1 victory on home soil.
• However, Gerrard’s side have won just a pair of their last 14 Premier League matchups continuing on from last season.
• Likewise, Fulham have managed to muster just a pair of victories from any of their last eight contests across all formats.
• Thursday’s hosts have conceded nine goals in their three appearances since returning from September’s international break.
• Aston Villa have seen four of their previous five away fixtures finish with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Suffering a 2-0 loss at home against Chelsea last weekend, Gerrard knows that he faces a real must-win showdown here. With there a huge amount of pressure on the 42-year-old’s shoulders, neutrals will be hoping for another enjoyable affair at Carrow Road. Although Fulham might have opened the 2022/23 campaign enjoying an eye-catching run, the Cottagers have shown some worrying recent issues at the back. Despite playing out a 2-2 draw at home against Bournemouth last time out, Silva’s side have shipped nine goals since returning from September’s international break. With Villa seeing four of their previous five away contests finish with both teams finding the net, we’re backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet