Fulham host Aston Villa in the Premier League at the weekend and they will look to build on the win over Bournemouth in the last outing.
The London club are 12th in the league table and they will want to finish in the top half. However, they have picked up just two wins from the last six league matches and they will need to improve in order to finish the season in the top half of the table.
There is no doubt that they have an impressive squad and the players will need to step up and deliver.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are going through a rough patch. After an exceptional start to the season, they have dropped quite a few points in recent weeks. They have picked up just two wins from six league matches and they have dropped to fifth in the league table. If they want to secure European qualification, they will have to buckle up and get their stuttering campaign back on track.
Both teams will be desperate for a win here and they have the quality to grind out all three points as well. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top eventually.
Team news and tactics
Fulham
The home team will be without Raul Jimenez and Kenny Tete because of injuries. They are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Bernd Leno in goal.
Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson will start as the fullbacks. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch.
Tosin Adarabioyo will start alongside Tim Ream in central defence. In the midfield pivot, Joao Palhinha will start alongside Tom Cairney. The two players will look to add defensive cover and control to the side from the deep.
Andreas Pereira will look to add creativity in the final third with his passing and vision.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Willian will be deployed in the wide areas. They will look to add flair and creativity from the flanks.
Armando Broja is likely to lead the line for Fulham.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Palhinha, Cairney; Reid, Pereira, Willian; Broja
Aston Villa
The visitors will be without Boubacar Kamara, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Diego Carlos and Emiliano Buendia due to injuries.
The Aston Villa defensive unit is depleted because of injuries and they will have to be compact at the back in order to grind out a positive result here.
They are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Emiliano Martinez in goal.
Matty Cash and Alex Moreno will start as the full backs. They will look to help out defensively and provide width during counter attacking opportunities.
Pau Torres will start as the central defender along with Clement Lenglet. In the midfield pivot, Douglas Luiz will start alongside John McGinn. While the Brazilian will look to break up opposition attacks and win the ball back for his side, McGinn will look to add drive and creativity.
Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey will be deployed in the wide areas here. They will look to add flair and creativity from the flanks.
Ollie Watkins will lead the line for Aston Villa with Moussa Diaby behind him in the hole.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Torres, Lenglet, Moreno; Luiz, McGinn; Bailey, Diaby, Ramsey; Watkins
Key Stats
- Aston Villa have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 3 matches against Fulham in all competitions.
- Aston Villa have won 5 of their last 6 matches against Fulham in all competitions.
- 17 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two teams.
- Aston Villa have failed to win four of the last six league matches.
- Fulham have failed to win four of the last six league matches.
Key Player
Ollie Watkins
The 28-year-old has been one of the best attackers in the Premier League this season with 11 goals and 10 assists in the league. Aston Villa will need him to be at his best if they want to grind out all three points with their injury issues.
The England international will look to create goal scoring opportunities for his teammates and get on the scoresheet himself. He is our key player to watch out for.
Prediction
Fulham 1-1 Aston Villa
Both teams will be desperate for a win here and neither side are in the best of form. This will be a close contest and the two teams could end up cancelling each other out.
It will be hard to separate the two teams on current form and they are likely to share the spoils.
