Prediction: Fulham vs Liverpool

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: BetUS

With just four more wins needed to lift the Premier League title, Liverpool can take another step toward glory when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon.

Arne Slot’s side corrected some recent mistakes in Wednesday’s 1-0 triumph over Merseyside rivals Everton, though their hosts this weekend failed to help their cause, suffering a 2-1 loss to second-placed Arsenal.

Fulham

Had Fulham managed to take something from their trip to the Emirates, Liverpool might now be just three wins away from the title, but Marco Silva’s contingent of ex-Arsenal players were unable to outdo the current Gunners in their midweek London derby. A Fulham lineup featuring Bernd Leno, Willian, Emile Smith Rowe, and Alex Iwobi offered solid resistance, yet a deflected strike from Mikel Merino and an emotional first goal of 2025 from Bukayo Saka rendered Rodrigo Muniz’s late finish meaningless.

Still, Silva’s men could take more encouragement from that display than their FA Cup quarterfinal thrashing by Crystal Palace, and their European ambitions remain alive. The ninth-placed Cottagers sit just three points adrift of the top seven.

However, inconsistency at home has hampered their continental hopes, with Fulham alternating between wins and losses in their last six matches at Craven Cottage across all competitions. They have yet to register consecutive Premier League home victories this season.

Additionally, Fulham’s last top-flight home success over Liverpool came back in December 2011. Still, they showed resilience in salvaging a 2-2 draw at Anfield in December, their only point from the last 11 league meetings with the table-topping Reds.

Team News

Fulham remain without Kenny Tete (knee), former Liverpool winger Harry Wilson (foot), and Reiss Nelson (thigh), who has returned to parent club Arsenal for treatment.

Silva’s gamble with a three-man defence at the Emirates didn’t pay off, and he’s expected to revert to a familiar 4-2-3-1 system – even against a stronger opponent – with both Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon pushing for starts after combining for the team’s lone goal in midweek.

Liverpool

Little went Liverpool’s way in the lead-up to the first international break of 2025, as their hopes of Carabao Cup and Champions League silverware were dashed within just a few days – and the first half of Wednesday’s derby didn’t go much better either.

However, after Everton defender James Tarkowski somehow escaped a red card for a reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister – a decision the PGMOL has since admitted was incorrect – Diogo Jota capitalized to deliver a clinical winner and seal a crucial victory for the title hopefuls.

Arne Slot’s side may now only be in contention for one trophy rather than four, as once seemed possible, but with a 12-point cushion over Arsenal and just eight rounds left, their claim to the Premier League crown remains strong.

A surprising home defeat to Nottingham Forest in September is still the Reds’ only top-flight loss this season, and their win over Everton extended their unbeaten league run to an impressive 26 matches, including all 15 away fixtures so far.

Remarkably, it’s been almost exactly a year since Liverpool last suffered a Premier League defeat on the road – against Everton on April 24 last year – and Slot’s men have scored at least twice in 13 of their 15 top-flight away games so far this campaign.

Team News

Liverpool remain strong in midfield and attack, with their injury concerns concentrated at the back. Neither Joe Gomez (hamstring) nor reportedly Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold (ankle) are expected back anytime soon. In fact, if Alexander-Arnold indeed intends to move to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, it’s fairly reasonable to ask if he has perhaps played his last game for Liverpool already.

Fellow right-back Conor Bradley is also a doubt and will require a late fitness check as he nears a return from a thigh issue, while Alisson Becker must also be assessed after, in Slot’s words, failing to “tick the last box” in his concussion recovery ahead of the Merseyside derby.

Otherwise, Slot has a full squad to choose from, including Golden Boot contender Mohamed Salah, who had a quiet showing in midweek but now stands on the brink of another Premier League milestone. The Egyptian forward has registered at least two goal involvements in each of his last four league away matches and could become the first player to achieve that feat in five consecutive road games with a strong display at Craven Cottage.

Conclusion

No Liverpool supporter should travel south overflowing with certainty; Fulham still have plenty on the line, will benefit from an extra day of rest, and possess ample attacking options to rotate.

That said, it’s anyone’s guess which version of Silva’s side will turn up at Craven Cottage, the disciplined or the disjointed one, and while Liverpool won’t find it easy, they are likely to clear this particular hurdle on Sunday.

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: BetUS