Prediction: Fulham vs West Ham

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Dachbet

With London bragging rights up for grabs on Saturday afternoon, Fulham will welcome West Ham to Craven Cottage.

Fulham

Starting with the hosts, eventually left disappointed away at Premier League returners Ipswich prior to September’s international break as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate, Fulham have continued to show some inconsistencies on either side of the summer interval. Opening proceedings with a close-fought 1-0 loss away at Manchester United on August 16th, Marco Silva’s men have now won just a trio of their previous 13 Premier League appearances continuing on from last season. However, dreaming of the chance to mount a genuine top-half charge this season, the Cottagers should be excited by a dominant recent record against Saturday’s guests. Storming their way to a remarkable 5-0 romp when they welcomed West Ham to Craven Cottage last season, they won their back-to-back showdowns against the Hammers by an aggregate score of 7-0.

Team News

Marking their return from September’s international break this weekend, Fulham have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns to worry about. Returning to Craven Cottage this summer following a permanent move from Crystal Palace, Danish defender Joachim Andersen could make a first Premier League start of the season.

While Rodrigo Muniz might still be waiting to open his account this season, the 23-year-old will spearhead Fulham’s charge in west London. Despite arriving from Burnley this summer, Sander Berge will likely have to settle for a spot on the bench.

West Ham

As for the visitors, getting a new era underway this summer following the appointment of Julen Lopetegui, West Ham are dreaming of the chance to book a lucrative European return. However, entering September’s international break with a 3-1 defeat at home against defending champions Manchester City, the former Wolves boss knows the importance of finding some crucial defensive resolve. Despite securing an eye-catching 2-0 win away at London rivals Crystal Palace last month, that is the only Premier League clean sheet that the Hammers have recorded since the start of January. Opening the new campaign with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Aston Villa, Lopetegui’s camp could be bracing themselves for another tricky test when they travel across the capital on Saturday afternoon.

Team News

Picking up a knock while away with Germany over the past week, former Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug is not expected to travel to Craven Cottage this weekend. West Ham are also set to be without veteran defender Aaron Creswell on Saturday afternoon through a thigh issue.

Appointed the Hammers’ new skipper for this season and already notching a pair of goals across all competitions, England international Jarrod Bowen will play a leading role in the final third. Despite completing a big-money move from Leeds this summer, Dutch ace Crysencio Summerville will likely settle for a spot on the bench.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Fulham and West Ham last met back on April 14th, the Cottagers picked up a 2-0 victory at the London Stadium.
• Likewise, when Fulham welcomed the Hammers to Craven Cottage last season, Silva’s side stormed their way to a sensational 5-0 romp.
• West Ham have recorded just a single Premier League clean sheet since the start of January.
• Continuing on from last season, four of Fulham’s last five Premier League matchups in west London have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Likewise, the Cottagers have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous eight Premier League appearances.

Conclusion

Storming their way to a sensational 5-0 romp when they welcomed West Ham to Craven Cottage last season, Fulham will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. However, two camps who have shown their own respective defensive issues on either side of the summer interval, we could be treated to an enjoyable affair this weekend. It should be noted, with four of Fulham’s last five Premier League showdowns in west London finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome on Saturday afternoon.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Dachbet