Prediction: Fulham vs Brentford

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In west London bragging rights up for grabs on Monday night, Fulham will welcome local rivals Brentford to Craven Cottage.

Fulham

Starting with the hosts, while Fulham might have entered October’s international break in the midst of a real flurry, Marco Silva’s side have struggled to find any kind of stability over the past fortnight. Marking their return from the fortnight interval with a 3-1 drumming at home against Aston Villa, the Cottagers are seeking a recent boost. Suffering last-gasp heartbreak away at Everton last week as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at Craven Cottage, the one-time Hull City boss has seen his squad muster just a single point from any of their previous three Premier League appearances. Shockingly crashing out of the EFL Cup on September 17th as they fell to a penalties defeat at the hands of Championship outfit Preston, Fulham have also shown some extended defensive struggles.

Team News

Missing out away at Everton last weekend after serving a one-match suspension, Fulham will welcome back summer recruit Joachim Andersen will return at the heart of Fulham’s defence. However, still dealing with a recent shoulder injury, the Cottagers are expected to be without Sasa Lukic on Monday night.

Recording three goals in his previous five Premier League appearances, former Wolves striker Raul Jimenez will spearhead Silva’s charge. Making an immediate impact since arriving from Arsenal over the summer, England international Emile Smith Rowe will join Jimenez in the final third.

Brentford

As for the visitors, while Brentford might have continued to gain a reputation for their dominant success on home soil, Thomas Frank’s side are seeking some much-needed stability on their travels. Although Thomas Frank’s side might have mounted a sensational comeback at home against Ipswich last weekend as they eventually claimed a 4-3 victory at the Gtech, Monday’s guests have lost each of their first four away fixtures against Premier League opposition by an aggregate score of 9-3. Last seen on their travels suffering a collapse at Old Trafford as they marked their return from October’s international break with a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United, Brentford have also shown their own respective issues at the back. In fact, Frank’s men have registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their first 12 appearances across all competitions.

Team News

In what could prove to be a boost on Monday night, Brentford remain hopeful that former Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer will be able to return to Brentford’s squad here. However, all still dealing with respective injury issues, Frank’s side will be unable to call upon the likes of Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry, Igor Thiago and Aaron Hickey.

Both bagging their own respective Premier League braces against Ipswich last week, the duo of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo will lead Brentford’s charge on Monday night. Handed an EFL Cup rest against Sheffield Wednesday, Ethan Pinnock will be handed a full recall at Craven Cottage.

Key Factors to Consider

• Fulham have collected just a single point from any of their previous three Premier League appearances.
• Brentford have lost each of their first four Premier League showdowns away from the Gtech by an aggregate score of 9-3.
• Each of Fulham’s opening four Premier League matchups at Craven Cottage have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Continuing on from last season, Brentford have failed to record a single Premier League clean sheet on their travels since way back on February 10th.
• Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo has recorded eight goals in his first nine Premier League appearances.

Conclusion

With west London bragging rights up for grabs on Monday night, we could be treated to an enjoyable affair from Craven Cottage. Watching Fulham see each of their first four Premier League showdowns on home soil finish with both teams finding the net, chances could come thick and fast here. With Brentford losing all of their opening four appearances away from the Gtech by an aggregate score of 9-3, they have also shown some real defensive issues. In fact, the Bees have failed to record a single Premier League clean sheet on their travels since the start of February.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Olympusbet