Fulham will aim to get back on track in their Premier League journey when they face Sheffield United and their under-pressure boss, Paul Heckingbottom.
The loss on Monday at the hands of local rivals Chelsea ended Fulham’s three-game winning run at Craven Cottage. It also allowed the Blues to leapfrog the Cottagers in the table, leaving Marco Silva in 13th place ahead of an important weekend. But Fulham need to improve considerably when they take on Sheffield United on Saturday.
Despite the positives around Fulham’s season so far, the shortcomings under Silva have taken centre-stage. In seven games, the Cottagers have managed to score only five times and only multiple times in one game so far. The absence of Aleksandar Mitrovic is all too clear, and their inability to properly replace him might cost them dearly this campaign.
Full-time. pic.twitter.com/zQWVEXIBDl
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) October 2, 2023
Hence, Silva will look forward to a game of this magnitude, particularly against league strugglers Sheffield United. It is a glorious opportunity to cement their place in mid-table and head into the international break with something to work on.
The only positive Paul Heckingbottom may look at ahead of their visit to Fulham is their opposition’s goalscoring record. The duo, alongside Bournemouth, have the joint-worst attacking record this season, and it may come as a challenge for the Blades manager to disprove some doubters.
His critics have doubled down since their brutal 8-0 loss at home against Newcastle United and then the defeat at West Ham United a week later. There is much work to be done for Sheffield United to climb out of their misery from the bottom of the table, with things looking bleak for their chances of survival as well as that of their manager.
Heckingbottom’s job may have come under scrutiny, and the club’s board will hope for an upturn in form. Their fans will feel no sense of optimism as the Blades take on Manchester United and Arsenal after the break. Hence, a good result against Fulham seems imperative to build on, as Sheffield United have nothing to show for so far this term.
Team News & Tactics
Fulham
💬 On team news: "Nothing different from the last game. Still Tosin, Kenny Tete and Adama Traoré out of the plans."#FULSHU pic.twitter.com/PDLxCTXryQ
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) October 6, 2023
Marco Silva did not encounter any new problems with fitness or injury after the Chelsea game and may have a similar set of players ready for the Sheffield United clash. On the positive side, Sasa Lukic made a brief cameo without any problems, as he had only returned from a knee problem.
Kenny Tete remains sidelined with an unspecified problem and missed the derby last Monday. The fullback might be absent for another game, as Silva will hope he recovers completely during the international break. Adama Traore and Tosin Adarabioyo are the other two players missing out of action at the moment.
Timothy Castagne will continue to take up Tete’s spot at right-back, while Issa Diop and Tim Ream are best placed to keep their defensive partnership intact. Calvin Bassey remains an option, but the defender continues to learn each week and may have a run after the international break if Silva deems it right.
Silva could make two changes to his lineup, with Alex Iwobi likely to take Willian’s position down the left-hand side of the attack. The Brazilian has not been up to the mark this season, and Silva will likely give the former Everton star his chance to shine. The other one could see Carlos Vinicius replacing Raul Jimenez
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi; Vinicius
Sheffield United
Paul Heckingbottom confirmed key defender John Egan will miss many games and remain out for a while since suffering an injury against West Ham United. Including the centre-back, the Blades could miss as many as eight players for their trip to Craven Cottage.
“He’s going to be out for a while. He’ll see a specialist tomorrow and we’ll have more of an idea.”
Paul Heckingbottom has confirmed John Egan is set for a period on the sidelines with an injury.
Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery, Skipper. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WJPwbfYfPu
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) October 5, 2023
Chris Basham could get the nod to replace Egan in the defensive setup, as he remains ahead of Auston Trusty in the pecking order. Anel Ahmedhodzic and Jack Robinson will also play in that back three, while Jayden Bogle and Luke Thomas will cover at wing backs.
James McAtee remains the firm choice to sit at the base of this Sheffield United midfield, with Gustavo Hamer and Vinicius Souza on either side. Heckingbottom will once again rely on his front two attackers, with Oliver McBurnie and Cameron Archer primed to take up those positions in this team.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Foderingham; Ahmedhodzi, Basham, Robinson; Bogle, Hamer, McAtee, Souza, Thomas; Archer, McBurnie
Key Stats
- There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Fulham’s last 3 games in the Premier League.
- Fulham have the joint-worst attacking record this season alongside Sheffield United and Bournemouth.
- Sheffield United have conceded at least two goals in their last six matches in the Premier League.
- Sheffield United have lost six of their last seven matches in the Premier League.
- Sheffield United and Fulham have scored only five goals this season.
Player to Watch
Alex Iwobi
The Nigerian international made the move to Fulham from Everton, and so far, fans have only seen glimpses. Marco Silva has bide his time to get him into action since his transfer. But the game against Sheffield United might seem like the perfect opportunity to bring him into the team.
He was good during their Carabao Cup victory over Norwich City, where Iwobi also got on the scoresheet. Hence, Silva would hope for a repeat of that performance in the league, as Fulham desperately lack a game-changer in their team.
Prediction
Fulham 2-0 Sheffield United
The pressure is truly on Paul Heckingbottom and his Sheffield United players to prove things on the pitch. Back-to-back defeats in the league have pinned them to the bottom of the table, and a look at the fixture list would only make a Blades fan worry about further disappointments.
Fulham will likely take advantage of the situation to make their mark and possibly put their best performance of the season against the hapless Blades. The Cottagers are overwhelming favourites to take three points and build something before the international break at the expense of Sheffield United.
