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"I won't hide it" – Marco Silva opens up on possibility of Fulham losing 'important player' in January
Fulham manager Marco Silva has told ESPN in Brazil that Andreas Pereira is a key player for the Premier League side amid claims of Palmeiras' interest.
Over the past week, various claims from Brazil have stated Palmeiras are keen on signing the 28-year-old in January.
At the weekend, Nosso Palestra said Fulham are requesting €30m and the Brazilian club are looking to include a player as part of the deal.
Three days ago, we covered claims from Brazil which stated Palmeiras have offered €20m to Fulham and could raise it by €2m to sign the midfielder, without including a player as part of the deal.
The South American club have been waiting to receive a response from the London club.
On Boxing Day, Fulham came from behind to seal a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and after the tie, Marco Silva spoke to ESPN about the possibility of losing Pereira to Palmeiras in the winter market.
The manager claims Fulham haven't informed him that Pereira's exit is close and has left their officials to handle this case.
"Of course, I'll talk to him, but this Palmeiras thing isn't for a conversation between me and him. The club have the people responsible for speaking and listening. So far, I haven't had any information from the club that there's anything close to happening, so no talk," he said.
"We've been focusing only on Fulham, and everything else is apart from me. It's away from Andreas as well. He has the people responsible for him, and the club has the people responsible for dealing with him. So, we've just been focusing on training and match by match."
On the former Manchester United's man importance for Fulham, Silva explained: "It's important, of course, to have Andreas with us, available after his fifth yellow card.
"He's very important for us, I won't hide it. He's a different player, a player who gives us other things."
http://sportwitness.co.uk/i-wont-hide-it-marco-silva-opens-up-on-possibility-of-fulham-losing-important-player-in-january/
Fulham January transfer window guide: Marco Silva not in need but midfield signing would boost superb season
Evan Ferguson, Rayan Cherki and Nicholas Kuhn remain on the radar at Craven Cottage
Most teams in the Premier League will enter the January transfer window in much greater need of adding to their squads than Fulham.
Since they returned to the top-flight in 2022, the Cottagers have earned reputation for buying a mixture of young players and experienced professionals who had lost their way, only to make them better under the tutelage of Marco Silva.
Fulham have been sitting in the top half of the table, and so are not in desperate need of strengthening.
That said, it is still possible there is movement in or out of their squad in January.
Top priority
Fulham's squad has no gaping holes, but another central midfielder would be beneficial, especially as Andreas Pereira is being targeted by Brazilian clubs.
Game time for Harrison Reed, 29, has decreased in recent seasons, while captain and club legend Tom Cairney is out of contract in July and it remains to be seen whether he will sign a new short-term deal like he did in the New Year last season.
Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic have both made good impacts since joining, but another option in the centre of the park would be beneficial.
What else they need
If Reiss Nelson's loan is not made permanent and Adama Traore leaves at the end of his contract then Fulham will need at least another winger, but that would be a problem for the summer, not for now.
Slovakian international Marek Rodak left in the summer to join Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, so sporting director Tony Khan should consider signing a new goalkeeper who can provide sterner competition for Bernd Leno than Steven Benda.
There have been rumblings of the desire to sign a striker, too, but that would feel harsh on Raul Jimenez, who has enjoyed a superb first half of the season.
Possible ins
Fulham are one of a host of teams who have been credited with interest in Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.
German winger Nicholas Kuhn has made a fantastic start to life at Celtic and, like Brentford, Fulham are keen. Any deal in January would cost them a fair whack, though.
London rivals Crystal Palace are interested in Rayan Cherki, and the Lyon winger is also still on the radar of Fulham, who came close to signing him in the summer window.
Possible outs
Brazilian striker Carlos Vinicius has been transfer listed for over a year now, and the club would help the 29-year-old to leave if a reasonable offer came in.
Academy winger Imani Lanquedoc finishes his spell at Finnish side FC Haka at the end of December and could be sent out on loan again for the rest of the season.
Loans could also be considered for the likes of Martial Godo and 17-year-old star Josh King, who made his first Premier League start in the 0-0 draw with Southampton.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-fc-transfer-news-evan-ferguson-b1201834.html
Andreas Pereira must force Fulham transfer as Marco Silva speaks out after £14m offer
Brazilian giants Palmeiras are eyeing a January deal for Fulham playmaker Andreas Pereira but Cottagers boss Marco Silva has little interest in losing the 28-year-old mid-season
Fulham will only consider selling Andreas Pereira if he personally requests a transfer next month.
The talented attacking midfielder is wanted by Brazilian giants Palmeiras, who are understood to have tabled an initial proposal worth in the region of £14million plus add-ons. The high-flying Cottagers are yet to respond to the offer and speaking after Thursday's historic 2-1 Boxing Day triumph at Chelsea, Marco Silva made it clear he is yet to hold discussions with Pereira over his future.
Silva told ESPN Brasil: "Of course I'll talk to him, but this Palmeiras thing is not for a conversation between me and him. The club has people responsible to talk and listen. So far I have no information from the club that anything is close to happening, so no conversation.
"Everything else is apart from me, it is also away from Andreas. There are people responsible for him, and the club has people responsible for dealing with him. We have focused only on training by training and game by game."
Pereira played 72 minutes in Fulham's memorable festive fightback at Stamford Bridge before later being withdrawn and Silva is believed to have little interest in a mid-season sale as the 28-year-old attacking midfielder remains a fundamental part of his squad.
However, sources close to the ex-Manchester United man insist he is open to a return to Brazilian football - where he previously spent time on loan at Flamengo - as it could bolster his chances of making the national team squad for the 2026 World Cup.
His current contract at Craven Cottage does not expire until the summer of 2026 though club sources insist Fulham do also have a 12-month option written into the agreement.
Pereira was dropped for the 1-1 draw at Tottenham at the start of the month after allegedly claiming during an interview that it would be "very cool" to join Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille amid reported interest from the French giants.
The Brazil international later slammed the 'malicious' publication and indicated his comments had been lost in translation, retracting his comments.
All had since been resolved but with Palmeiras probing, Pereira's future is expected to remain a key talking point ahead of next month's transfer window but it's thought the South American will have to agitate for a move if he wishes to switch clubs. That's without even considering the financials of any potential deal as Fulham are likely to drive a hard bargain.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-transfer-news-andreas-pereira-34382974
Pre-Bournemouth Press Conference
The manager talked to the press on Friday afternoon, ahead of the match on Sunday against Bournemouth.
"We don't know yet (about Emile Smith Rowe's availability). It's a decision we are going to take on Saturday as we have another session. We have to keep assessing, not just the players who were out in the last game, but also the ones that played."
"The progression has been really great from ourselves. The way we are responding. The players who have come in (in the summer) have settled really well, and the help from the players that we already had was big for them.
"Another big thing is the results, in London derbies we are ten unbeaten. We have been strong and are really progressing in those types of games.
"Alex Iwobi has been great. Last season he was top, his best season up until that point, but this season is going to be better for him. He's in a very good level, he's scoring, he's assisting, all in different positions.
"What a battle it is going to be (against Bournemouth)! Andoni Iraola is doing a really good job there. Our Bournemouth games are always really tight and competitive, and this is going to be another one.
"They're a really physical side, direct too, and their frontline is top level. They have a really quality side, they are intense. It's going to be a great challenge for us but we are going to make it a great challenge for them too."
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/december/27/pre-bournemouth-press-conference/
Muniz: 'We'll remember this moment for ever'
Match winner Rodrigo Muniz was delighted to write his name into Fulham folklore after sealing the Whites' first league win at Stamford Bridge for 45 years.
The Brazilian striker came off the bench to complete a stirring Fulham fightback after Harry Wilson had cancelled out Cole Palmer's early goal.
Muniz, also a scorer at Anfield a couple of weeks ago, told FFCTV:
"I feel really good. I am very happy to score the winning goal. Marco Silva said we hadn't won a top-flight game here since the 1960s in the dressing room and so I'm very happy to score the winner for our fans. They were unbelievable today. It is very special to hear them singing my name. Since I arrived here, I learned what it means to play against Chelsea for our fans and I'm so happy.
Inside, you don't have time to [think about anything] but the finish. I've trained hard to score goals and I was happy to score that goal.
Marco Silva said to us in the changing room before the game that we needed to deliver for the fans. We knew what the derby means to the fans. I hope that the fans enjoyed it and that they can remember it for ever. I spoke to Andreas before the game because in Brazil and in this game you need to play with your heart. You know what it represents to our fans and to us as well because we want to move higher in the table. I told Andreas I was going to score the winning goal – and it happened!
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/muniz-well-remember-this-moment-for-ever/
Matchday Preview: Bournemouth🆚 AFC Bournemouth
🏟 Craven Cottage
🏆 Premier League
🗓 Sunday 29th December
⏰ 3pm (GMT)
#️⃣ FULBOU
The opposition
Bournemouth have enjoyed a fantastic season so far, sitting just a point above Marco Silva's side and went into Christmas in fifth.
Like Fulham, Andoni Iraola's side have been unbeaten throughout December, with the highlight being a statement 3-0 win at Old Trafford.
Team News
🤍 Kenny Tete, Harrison Reed and Reiss Nelson remain unavailable due to their longer-term injuries. Emile Smith Rowe and Sander Berge are being assessed.
🍒 Luis Sinisterra has missed the last ten matches due to a hamstring injury.
Tickets
Tickets for this match have sold out on general sale, but the ticket exchange is open.
Kits
Both sides will wear their home kits.
(https://images.webapi.fulhamfc.com/fit-in/1400x1400/54d157e0-c478-11ef-b401-c589c290c61e.png)
Coverage
FFCtv subscribers can listen to commentary from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid. The match will be broadcast live on Peacock for US supporters.
Weather
⛅ Sunday is set to be fairly cloudy, with temperatures around 8°C.
Fulham Flutter
The Fulham Flutter allows fans from across the UK to go into the running to win some unique Fulham prizes at every home Premier League fixture. Fans can purchase a season ticket to be automatically entered into every home draw or buy tickets on a match-by-match basis, with the winner of our top prize announced on the big screen at half-time of the match.
Matchday programme
Harry Wilson is the cover star for the official matchday programme.
The programme will be on sale around the ground on Sunday priced £4, or you can pick up a copy online.
(https://images.webapi.fulhamfc.com/fit-in/1400x1400/5c7df420-c479-11ef-9fe5-1b9a74391f58.jpg)
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/december/27/matchday-preview-bournemouth/
Preview: Fulham vs. Bournemouth - prediction, team news, lineups
Two teams enjoying excellent campaigns will lock horns for an intriguing Premier League contest on Sunday afternoon, with Fulham welcoming Bournemouth to Craven Cottage.
Fulham are currently eighth in the Premier League table, just six points behind fourth-placed Nottingham Forest, while Bournemouth occupy sixth spot, with the Cherries picking up 29 points from their opening 18 matches of the campaign.
Match preview
Fulham came from behind to record a huge victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, with Harry Wilson levelling the scores in the 82nd minute before Rodrigo Muniz netted a 95th-minute winner for Marco Silva's side.
The capital outfit are now unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches, while they have only lost once once in England's top flight since the middle of October, with their excellent form leaving them ion eighth spot in the table.
Fulham are just six points behind fourth-placed Nottingham Forest, boasting a record of seven wins, seven draws and four defeats from 18 matches, while they have found the back of the net on 26 occasions.
Silva's team have picked up 15 points from their nine home league games this term, suffering only two defeats in the process, while their recent unbeaten run includes draws against Arsenal and Liverpool.
Fulham have only won one of their last six matches against Bournemouth in all competitions, though, which proved to be a 3-1 success when the two teams last locked horns at Craven Cottage in February 2024.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, with the Cherries failing to build on their 3-0 success over Manchester United at Old Trafford on December 22.
Andoni Iraola's side will bring a six-game unbeaten run in the Premier League into this match, which includes four wins, and they are currently up in sixth spot in the table, boasting 29 points from 18 matches.
The Cherries are only five points behind fourth-placed Nottingham Forest and very much in the mix for a top-four spot at this stage of proceedings, with head coach Iraola deserving huge credit for his work at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth have been impressive on their travels this term, picking up 14 points from nine matches, recording four wins in the process, and they will be looking to put down a marker with a victory over a strong Fulham outfit this weekend.
The Cherries were last victorious at Craven Cottage back in October 2018, recording a 3-0 victory in the Premier League, while they lead the overall head-to-head record between the two teams, boasting 15 wins to Fulham's 12.
Fulham Premier League form:
D W D D D W
Bournemouth Premier League form:
W W W D W D
Team News
Fulham will again be without the services of Kenny Tete, Reiss Nelson and Harrison Reed through injury, while Emile Smith Rowe is a major doubt due to the issue which has ruled him out of the team's last two matches.
Sander Berge also faces an uphill task to overcome an ankle issue in time, so it could be the same squad that was available for selection against Chelsea.
Wilson and Muniz both came off the bench to score against Chelsea, but the pair are likely to again be among the substitutes on Sunday, with Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore set to retain their spots in the XI.
As for Bournemouth, Marcos Senesi, Julian Araujo, Alex Scott, Luis Sinisterra, Marcus Tavernier and Adam Smith remain on the sidelines, while Justin Kluivert is suspended due to the milestone yellow card that he picked up against Palace.
Philip Billing could be the player to benefit from Kluivert's absence, while there may be another change in the final third of the field, with Evanilson pushing to return.
There are unlikely to be any further changes from the goalless draw against Palace, though, with Max Aarons in line for another start at right-back, while Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie are set to continue in central midfield.
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Castagne, Diop, Andersen, Bassey; Traore, Pereira, Lukic, Iwobi, Robinson; Jimenez
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Kepa; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Semenyo, Billing, Ouattara; Evanilson
We say: Fulham 1-1 Bournemouth
This is a really tough match to call, with both sides enjoying excellent campaigns; it would not be a shock to see a victory either way, but we just have a feeling that a tight game will end with the points being shared.
Three of the last six league games between the two sides have ended in a draw, and we are predicting another stalemate here.
https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/top-four-race/preview/preview-fulham-vs-bournemouth-prediction-team-news-lineups_561556.html
Fulham vs. Bournemouth: Predicted XI for Marco Silva's side in Premier League clash
Fulham are again sweating over the fitness of Emile Smith Rowe for Sunday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
The ex-Arsenal attacker has missed his team's last two matches with an unspecified issue, and head coach Marco Silva admitted during his pre-match press conference that he is unsure whether the 24-year-old will be available this weekend.
A spot on the bench appears to be the best-case scenario, while Sander Berge also faces an uphill task to overcome an ankle problem, so it could be the same squad from the 2-1 win over Chelsea on Boxing Day.
Fulham will again be without the services of Kenny Tete, Reiss Nelson and Harrison Reed through injury, but the capital outfit did not suffer any fresh issues in their impressive success over their London rivals.
Silva has big decisions to make in the final third of the field, as Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz both came off the bench to score against Chelsea, but the pair are expected to start on the bench once again.
Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore are set to retain their spots in the XI, with Silva again potentially looking for an impact off the bench in the second half of what is shaping up to be a fascinating contest.
Alex Iwobi has been one of Fulham's star players this term, and he will again continue down the middle.
Fulham possible starting lineup: Leno; Castagne, Diop, Andersen, Bassey; Traore, Pereira, Lukic, Iwobi, Robinson; Jimenez
https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/top-four-race/predicted-lineups/will-smith-rowe-be-available-how-fulham-could-line-up-against-bournemouth_561564.html?newsnow
Silva: Pereira will have to request Fulham transfer
Marco Silva insists that Andreas Pereira will have to submit a transfer request in order to leave Fulham, who are not open to considering offers for the Brazilian international during the January transfer window.
The former Manchester United midfielder played 72 minutes in the Whites' SW6 derby win at Chelsea yesterday – but the Cottagers scored twice to seal their first league win at Stamford Bridge in 45 years after he was replaced by club captain Tom Cairney. Pereira has been heavily linked with a return to Brazil after being dropped for the draw at Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month when he expressed an interest in leaving Craven Cottage.
The 28 year-old claimed PL Brasil had misinterpreted his comments in an Instagram post released after Silva had selected the side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium only for the outlet to release the full video on social media, with a consecutive translation proving Pereira wrong. He had said that he was hoping to join Nice and Fulham have since rejected two bids from Palmerais for their playmaker.
Silva told ESPN Brazil:
"Of course, I'll talk to him but this Palmerais thing is not a conversation between me and him. The club has people responsible to talk and listen. So far, I have no information from the club that anything is close to happening, so no conversation. Everything else is away from me, it is also away from Andreas. There are people responsible for him, and the club has people responsible for dealing with him. We have focused only on training by training and game by game."
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/silva-pereira-will-have-to-request-fulham-transfer/
Silva wary of 'quality' Bournemouth
Marco Silva knows his Fulham side can't afford to bask in the quality of the Boxing Day win at Chelsea – unless they want to be punished by Bournemouth, who visit Craven Cottage on Sunday.
The Whites' first SW6 derby league victory in 49 years remains fresh in the memory but Silva insists the squad's focus is now entirely on taking on the Cherries, who will provide formidable opposition under Andoni Iraola. The Fulham head coach told his pre-match press conference at Motspur Park that he was relishing the opportunity to lock horns with Bournemouth.
"What a battle it is going to be! Andoni Iraola is doing a really good job there. Our Bournemouth games are always really tight and competitive, and this is going to be another one. They're a really physical side, direct too, and their frontline is top level. They have a really quality side, they are intense. It's going to be a great challenge for us but we are going to make it a great challenge for them too."
Silva confirmed that he will take a late decision on the fitness of Emile Smith Rowe, who has missed Fulham's last two fixtures after sustaining an injury in training.
"We don't know yet. It's a decision we are going to take on Saturday as we have another session. We have to keep assessing, not just the players who were out in the last game, but also the ones that played."
The Portuguese head coach wants the Cottagers to kick on after beating Chelsea and has been impressed by the way his playing squad have embraced the challenge so far this season.
"The progression has been really great from ourselves. The way we are responding. The players who have come in have settled really well, and the help from the players that we already had was big for them. We are now ten unbeaten in London derbies. We have been strong and are really progressing in those types of games."
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/silva-wary-of-quality-bournemouth/
Big Sunday: Fulham v Bournemouth, Tottenham with no CBs, Nuno, Fullkrug
We can't wait to see who Ange Postecoglou plays at centre-back against Wolves, or indeed whether he'll even bother, while unlikely Champions League chasers clash on a Big Sunday.
Game to watch: Fulham v Bournemouth
It really is quite mad that either one of these two teams could be in a Champions League qualification spot (assuming fifth place is enough, as it currently is) come 5pm on Sunday with victory over the other, just as it's mad that neither of these two sides are the pleasant surprise of the season. More on that later.
Fulham will be buoyant on the back of their brilliant last-gasp victory over their hair-ruffling local rival on Boxing Day, while Bournemouth will be hoping a clash against a fellow European hopeful will engender rather more energy and quality than they showed in their dour 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.
Neither team is blessed with a glut of individual talent. Fulham may struggle to hold onto Antonee Robinson, who's emerged as arguably the best left-back in the Premier League this season, while there is probably a big club or two willing to take Antoine Semenyo off Bournemouth's hands, but in both cases the success of these sides is more about their excellent managers consistently getting the whole to be far greater than the sum of its parts.
Team to watch: Tottenham
Just when we thought there was no possible way for Tottenham games to become more watchable, Radu Dragusin hobbled off against Nottingham Forest, meaning Ange Postecoglou will have to find a non-centre-back to partner non-centre-back Archie Gray at the heart of a Tottenham defence which is ropey even at the very best of times.
They're currently on a run of four defeats in five Premier League games and it could reasonably be argued that they haven't beaten a proper team since the 4-1 win over Aston Villa at the start of November, with their thrashing of Manchester City paling into insignificance. The resurgence of Wolves could not be better timed for those wanting further misery to be piled on Postecoglou and his side.
We can't wait to see who he plays at centre-back, or whether they've now become so It's Who We Are, Mate that Postecoglou won't even bother with finding a makeshift partner for Gray, taking the We'll Score More Than You mantra to new levels where they leave six players on halfway when defending a corner and do away with lines (high or otherwise) altogether.
Manager to watch: Nuno Espirito Santo
In a season where multiple clubs are vying for banter supremacy, much like Chelsea, Nottingham Forest's journey from basket case to serious club has been astonishingly swift, but in hindsight shouldn't be quite so surprising.
To be clear, them being in the top four is entirely batsh*t bonkers given they were in a relegation battle up until the final day of last season. But Nuno Espirito Santo is an experienced, grounded and serious coach with his fingerprints all over not just the team and the tactics, but their sensible transfer window after a series of seemingly foolish ones much like the side they now sit just one point behind in the Premier League table.
But like Chelsea, the effect of buying so many players in a short period of time has been that Nuno had plenty of wheat to separate from the chaff before deciding not to continue with the scattergun approach in the summer, instead buying quality individuals like Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic to create a solid first XI with just enough quality in forward areas to win games by the odd goal, which has been the case in all but three of their 10 victories this season.
Player to watch: Niclas Fullkrug
We are absolutely here for someone celebrating an assist as if they've just scored the winner in the World Cup final, as Fullkrug did as he flicked the ball on for Jarrod Bowen against Southampton, and frankly if there's someone who doesn't wish a Proper Centre-Forward with a tooth missing anything but the best, we don't want to be friends with that person.
It's been a frustrating first season for Fullkrug at West Ham thanks to an Achilles problem but he's started their last two games and we still hold out hope that the guy who was starring for Borussia Dortmund in their charge to the Champions League final last season before playing a major role for Germany at Euro 2024 can be the guy to lift the Hammers striker curse.
He could do with a big moment to get him going though and the visit of Liverpool on Sunday grants him that opportunity.
https://www.football365.com/news/premier-league-preview-tottenham-fulham-bournemouth-nuno-fullkrug
Both Fulham & Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last six – Who will come out on top?
Both Sides On An Unbeaten Run Of Six Games
After AFC Bournemouth's Boxing Day 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, the Cherries go into the next game six undefeated as are our next opponents. The next game is in London at Craven Cottage on Sunday at 3 pm where we play Fulham.
Before last season, AFCB had been undefeated on their previous eight visits to the Cottage, which came to an end when our team lost back in February. Fulham are two places and one point behind AFCB in the table, the result of this game could change that.
Marco Silva is in his fourth season as the Fulham manager. In his first season as their manager, Fulham finished as Champions in the Championship, with 90 points. AFCB were second two points behind and were also automatically promoted up into the top league. In his second season, Fulham finished in 10th place in the Premier League with 52 points and AFCB 15th with 38 points. Last season Fulham finished 13th with 47 points, one place and a point behind the Cherries.
This season Fulham at home have beaten Leicester City 2-1, Newcastle United 3-1, Brentford 2-1 and Brighton 3-1. They have drawn 1-1 with West Ham and Arsenal and 0-0 with Southampton. They have lost 1-3 against Aston Villa and 1-4 to Wolves. Away from home, they have W 3, D 4, L 2. Their most recent game was at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, it finished in a 1-2 win for Fulham.
As mentioned earlier the last time we played Fulham away, two first-half goals from Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Rodrigo Muniz gave the home side a 2-0 lead. In the second half, Marcos Senesi pulled one back for the Cherries, but two minutes later Rodrigo Muniz scored his second and Fulham's third to seal all three points.
In all our league games away against Fulham, all in AFCB have W 5, D 7, L 5.
In all competitions, AFCB have W 15, D 12, L 12.
Fulham Team News
Kenny Tate, Harrison Reed, Emille Smith Rowe, Reis Nelson and Sander Berge have been out injured.
Fulham Player To Watch
Alex Iwobi has been on good form for Fulham, recently he had a run of six games where he scored 4 goals and had 2 assists. He is joint-leading scorer with 5 goals and has 3 assists. Antonee Robinson is leading with 6 assists, with two away at Anfield.
AFCB Team News
Adam Smith missed the last game against Crystal Palace through a muscle injury which according to our manager will keep him out for some time. Justin Kluivert is suspended.
AFCB Player To Watch
What a signing Ryan Christie has turned out to be, a reported £2.5 million, must be one of our bargain signings in recent years. He is just a powerful 'engine' in our midfield. At the back young Huijsen who came in for the injured Senesi has done a fine job with his partner Zabarnyi in our centre back line.
The Referee
Rob Jones is in charge, as he was for our 2-0 win against Arsenal in October.
Matt Stevenson added...
I've looked at the last 4 league games for Fulham. These were a tough set with two home games (Arsenal and Southampton) and two away games (Liverpool and Chelsea). Fulham have gained 6 points remaining unbeaten, although they were outplayed by Arsenal and Liverpool (who were down to 10 men). Fulham have scored 5 goals and conceded 4 with xG estimating 4.05 goals with 5.53.
Goals Xg.jpg
Fulham have had 4 different goal scorers with Muniz netting 2. Robinson has 2 assists from wing-back.
The average positions of the starting line-ups are below. Whilst the games have been difficult, Fulham appear to not be an attacking side, preferring to counterattack with few average positions in advance of the centre circle. This was even the case in the Southampton game which finished goalless and you would have expected Fulham to push on.
Av Pos.jpg
The following plot compares summary stats of Fulham and AFCB over the last 4 games.
AFCB have more goal attempts per game and more big chances, although the difference in goals scored is small. Fulham have conceded less chances, but more big chances, and have conceded 4 goals to our 2. xG is strongly in Bournemouth's favour but xGc is slightly more favourable to Fulham. Fulham have had no errors leading to chances whilst AFCB have 5.
Comparison.png
Fulham have a lower possession percentage than AFCB. Pass completion is similar. Fulham have a very high percentage of chances created from open play (90% is probably the highest value I've seen) whilst AFCB concede a lower proportion from open play.
https://bournemouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/both-fulham-bournemouth-are-unbeaten-in-their-last-six-who-will-come-out-on-top/
After helping Fulham secure historic victory against Chelsea, Bassey cracks BBC's PL TOTW
Calvin Bassey has been included in BBC's Premier League Team of the Week for gameweek 18 following his outstanding performance during Fulham's 2-1 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea opened the scoring through Cole Palmer, but goals from super subs Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz secured a historic victory for the Cottagers, defeating their West London rivals at Stamford Bridge for the first time in the Premier League era.
Bassey came close to scoring a spectacular goal 26 minutes into the first half but Chelsea's Robert Sánchez thwarted his effort.
The Nigeria international had dribbled from his own half before unleashing a low shot that the Spanish goalkeeper saved.
Premier League leaders Liverpool have contributed two players to Troy Deeney's Team of the Week, in the shape of Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo.
Newcastle United have three representatives, namely Joelinton, Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham), Pervis Estupinan (Brighton), Murillo (Nottingham Forest), Matheus Cunha (Wolves) and Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest) complete the Best XI.
Against Chelsea, Bassey amassed 103 touches, more than any other player on the pitch, and registered one shot on target.
Fulham's number 3 won two fouls, completed a game-high 96.5% of his passes, and registered two successful take-ons.
His three interceptions were unmatched by any other player, and he also recorded one tackle and two clearances.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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