Fulham will take on Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday, looking to continue their impressive start to the season with a win at home.
Fulham picked up a narrow win over Everton in their opening game of the season, and they will fancy their chances of picking up all three points against Brentford as well. Meanwhile, the Bees put on a spirited display against Tottenham Hotspur in their season-opener, and they managed to grind out a 2-2 draw.
Matches between these two sides have been quite evenly matched in recent seasons, and this one promises to be a cracking affair as well. Both teams had excellent 2022/23 Premier League campaigns, and they will look to build on those performances and scale greater heights this season.
Back to SW6. 🏠#FULBRE pic.twitter.com/vtQBlMaZkC
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 18, 2023
Team News & Tactics
Fulham
Fulham will be without star midfielder Joao Palhinha, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. The Portuguese international is expected to return to action soon. The home side are likely to start in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bernd Leno in goal.
Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson will be deployed as the full-backs here, and they will look to contribute offensively apart from their defensive duties. In the central defence, Tim Ream will partner Calvin Bassey. The two players will look to keep the defensive unit organised and thwart any Brentford attacks.
As for the midfield unit, Harrison Reed will partner Sasa Lukic in the middle of the park in the absence of Palhinha. The two players will look to break up the opposition’s attacks and shield the back four.
Harry Wilson and Bobby De Cordova-Reid will be deployed as the wingers and they will look to create opportunities in the final third. Andreas Pereira will continue in his usual number ten role, with Raul Jimenez leading the line. Aleksandar Mitrovic’s future remains up in the air, and the Serbian international might not start here.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Ream, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Reed; Wilson, Pereira, Cordova-Reid; Jimenez
Brentford
The Bees will be without their star striker Ivan Toney, who is suspended until January for breaching betting regulations. Ben Mee is also doubtful with injury. Brentford are likely to start in a 3-5-2 formation, with Mark Flekken in goal.
In the back three, Kristoffer Ajer is likely to start alongside Ethan Pinnock and Nathan Collins. Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry will be deployed as the wing-backs, and the two players will look to add width and creativity to the side apart from shielding the central defenders.
Mathias Jensen will start in the middle of the park, alongside Christian Norgaard and Vitaly Janelt. Finally,, Yoane Wissa will start alongside Bryan Mbeumo, who might be a popular FPL prospect, in the final third, forming the strike partnership.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Flekken; Ajer, Pinnock, Collins; Hickey, Janelt, Norgaard, Jensen, Henry; Wissa, Mbeumo
Key Stats
- Brentford have scored at least two goals in their last four matches against Fulham in all competitions.
- Fulham have scored at least two goals in their last three matches against Brentford in all competitions.
- Both teams have scored in four of the last five meetings between these two sides.
- Fulham have won three of the last six matches against Brentford with the away side, winning the other three.
- 23 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two sides.
Player to Watch
Raul Jimenez
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker is a seasoned Premier League forward, and Fulham will need him to step up in order to get past the Brentford defence. The Mexican international is an expert when it comes to bringing others into the play and holding the ball up.
The 32-year-old will have to shoulder the goalscoring responsibility if Mitrovic does not play on Saturday. Jimenez is a complete forward who will pose an aerial threat to the Brentford defence as well. And the Mexican international is undoubtedly Fulham’s most potent weapon.
Prediction
Fulham 2-1 Brentford
Neither side are particularly impressive defensively, and this is likely to be an open contest with a fair few chances for either side. The games between these two sides have often been packed with goals, with the last six matches producing a total of 23 goals.
Fulham have won the last two home matches against Brentford with a scoreline of 3-2, and they will look to pick up another victory here. Both teams are likely to get on the score sheet here. But the home side should be able to edge this one eventually. The absence of Ivan Toney should be a major blow for Brentford. A 2-1 win for Fulham is on the cards here.