Sunday Fulham Stuff - 29/12/24...

[WhiteJC]

Chris Sutton makes Crystal Palace, Fulham and Liverpool predictions as 'slow burner' claim made
A look at the predictions for the final Crystal Palace, Fulham and West Ham fixtures of the year.

The festive fixtures continue on Sunday and this slate of games will stretch across Sunday, Monday and even Wednesday. Crystal Palace will be looking to continue their recovery on Sunday, taking on a struggling Southampton side, while Fulham face a good-looking Bournemouth side as they look to back up that huge win over Chelsea.

West Ham have an even trickier job of backing up their Boxing Day win, taking on a Liverpool side that looks unstoppable currently. Here we round up the predictions of BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton ahead of those games.

Crystal Palace vs Southampton
"Crystal Palace are definitely showing more mettle at the moment, and they were very well organised in their 0-0 draw at Bournemouth. To be fair to Southampton, the same can already be said for them under new manager Ivan Juric. I know they lost to West Ham in his first game in charge, but they could have got something out of it.

"Saints seem to have changed their style - from purists to pumping it - but there is nothing wrong with being direct, and they showed their resilient side when they got a draw at Fulham before Christmas, when Juric was watching from the stands. I am expecting another close game here, but Palace will probably edge it. Prediction: 1-0."

Fulham vs Bournemouth
"What a result for Fulham last time out. Marco Silva's side only snatched their win over Chelsea right at the end at Stamford Bridge, but they fully deserved it. Bournemouth are on a great run too, although they have cost me some predictions points by drawing their past two home games when I thought they would win.

"So, who do I go for here? Both teams are on a run of six games without defeat, so it is a tough call. The easiest thing to go for would be a draw, especially since Fulham have drawn their past three games at Craven Cottage, but I am going to be brave and choose a winner, and I am backing Silva's side. I am a little surprised that Silva doesn't get linked with big jobs anymore when they become available.

"Maybe that is because he was seen as under-achieving at Everton when he finished eighth in 2018-19. But if you look at what has happened to them since, when you look back, he was a success at Goodison Park. Prediction: 2-1."

West Ham vs Liverpool
"Is anyone going to be able to stop Liverpool? I don't think West Ham will. To be fair to the Hammers, they are level on points with Spurs and above Manchester United in the table, so maybe their season is just a slow burner. So far, they have been underwhelming under Julen Lopetegui, but they have now put together a four-game unbeaten run and Jarrod Bowen seems to have become their go-to player in recent weeks.

"Liverpool's ability to rotate their team could be key again here, though. They did that against Leicester last time out, when Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz dropped to the bench - I had Diaz as my Fantasy captain, so I was not happy - but it made no difference to the way they played. Arne Slot has such great quality right through his squad that I just think the Reds will keep rolling on. They won't have as much fun as they did the last time they were in London, but they should leave with the points again. Prediction: 0-2."



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/west-ham/chris-sutton-crystal-palace-liverpool-4924419

[WhiteJC]

Up next: AFC Bournemouth (h)
Optimism abounds at Craven Cottage after Marco Silva's side proved that there is only one team in Fulham by winning the Derby at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 45 years. Boxing Day's dramatic turnaround, inspired by substitutes Harry Wilson and Marco Silva, has the Fulham faithful dreaming once again about climbing the Premier League table.

Bournemouth are well placed to cancel that buzz this afternoon. The Cherries are in teriffic form under Andoni Iraola and head to SW6 above Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in sixth place. American billionaire Bill Foley, a Texan who made his money in insurance, has ambitious plans to extend the capacity of the Vitality Stadium to 20,000 next door to its current location and building a new training ground as well as targeting European qualification by 2027.

The rate at which Iraolo's side are progressing than the Bournemouth fans bored rigid by Scott Parker only a couple of seasons ago could be packing their passports for a continental tour much quicker than that. Iroali's squad is packed with quality, especially at left back in the shape of Milos Kerkez and on the wing with Justin Kluivert, who only failed to join Fulham due to work permit problems, and has six goals to his name already this term. The Dutch winger is suspended this afternoon having been booked five times already.

Other successful signings include Dango Ouattara and Illia Zabarnyi, who have starred since arriving at Dean Court last January, and the Cherries were able to acquire Dominic Solanke's replacement, Brazilian forward Evanilson, after selling their prolific number nine to Tottenham for £55m. Bournemouth are unbeaten in six games and have amassed 29 points, their highest in the top flight after eighteen games. Their defence has been miserly, conceding just 21 goals, with diligent Dutch centre half Dean Hujisen keeping a clean sheet alongside the outstanding Zabarnyi in a goalless draw against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.

The visitors have an extensive injury list with Adam Smith, Luis Sinisterra, Juan Araujo, Marco Senesi, Alex Scott and Marcus Tavernier all likely to miss out this afternoon. The number of quality players on the treatment table makes Iraola's successful navigation of an unbeaten December, including a thrashing of Manchester United, all the more remarkable. Following up a win in the SW6 derby with a victory over the Cherries is a tall order, especially for a Fulham side that have struggled for any consistency at all this term.

Silva will likely switch back to a back four this afternoon having started with three centre halves at Stamford Bridge largely because of the suspensions and injuries afflcting his midfield. Kenny Tete and Harrison Reed will be out until will into the New Year, but Sander Berge and Emile Smith Rowe have been handed late fitness tests. Wilson could be rewarded with a start after more Harry heroics created history on Thursday, whilst Muniz might also be pushing for a start after his wonderful winner at Stamford Bridge.

You couldn't fault Fulham's desire and intensity even when the chips were down in the derby – and they eventually earned a famous win. Grinding out another one here would be a hell of a way to finish a fabulous year.

MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, A. Robinson, Diop, Bassey; Lukic, Cairney; Traore, Iwobi, Wilson; Jimenez. Subs: Benda, Andersen, R. Sessegnon, King, Pereira, Godo, Smith Rowe, Muniz, Vinicius.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/up-next-afc-bournemouth-h-4/

[WhiteJC]

David Lloyd rates Fulham's start in the Observer
We might not have the terrific TOOFIF any more, but you can still read erstwhile editor David Lloyd's words in the Observer. His mid-season review usually hits the mark – and it is extra special today as it comes in the aftermath of that wonderful win at Stamford Bridge. Do have a look before kick off.


https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/david-lloyd-rates-fulhams-start-in-the-observer/

[WhiteJC]

 

[Jims Dentist]

David Lloyd rates Fulham's start in the Observer
We might not have the terrific TOOFIF any more, but you can still read erstwhile editor David Lloyd's words in the Observer. His mid-season review usually hits the mark – and it is extra special today as it comes in the aftermath of that wonderful win at Stamford Bridge. Do have a look before kick off.


https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/david-lloyd-rates-fulhams-start-in-the-observer/

Ironically The Observer was one of my pseudonyms when writing in TOOFIF.