Fulham v Forest Match thread

[C Block]

This game today seems a little odd to me, we arrived yesterday afternoon giving us 24hrs to prepare and acclimatise whilst Forest have been out there a week,
I think our boys are going to struggle in that heat,
I wonder why we didn't go out on Wednesday, seems strange planning to me,
I know it's only a pre season game but the preparation for the lads doesn't appear to have been thought through.

[Fernhurst]

What time BST is ko please?

[C Block]

What time BST is ko please?

20.00

[Fernhurst]

Thank you

[iansthailand]

Pay 5.99 and you can watch it on Forest TV.

[susiescw]

I searched FFCTV daily for news of whether or not they'd show the match or have an audio feed. No luck.
Last night I bought a Nottingham Forest TV pass at 7pm. Within an hour I got an email saying FFCTV would show all the friendlies!!  However I just bought the annual pass this morning and realised it was advertised on the FFCTV site two days ago just well buried. so my own fault but at least I've got back up and everyone else has options!

[SP]

Another negative article in today's i newspaper again claiming the club has no interest in our hardcore support, just the new Riverside.

[H4usuallysitting]

This game can be purchased from the following:-

Forest tv £5:99
Fulham tv £6:99

Not sure if either will show highlights for free

For me.... I'm not paying for it... I'm  watching the tennis county championship here in Eastbourne & might do a couple of hours work....

With a fair wind there might be some free highlights of the Forest game on the Forest web site tomorrow

[WhiteJC]

Nottingham Forest vs Fulham: Pre-Season Friendly Preview, 2025
Nuno Espirito Santo and Marco Silva return to their homeland as their sides collide in a pre-season friendly with Premier League preparations beginning to ramp up.

Fulham have consistently been an achilles heel for Nottingham Forest since both clubs were promoted to the top flight in the 2021/22 campaign.

The Tricky Trees have picked up just one victory against Marco Silva's outfit in their three seasons in the Premier League.

Choosing to face Fulham for pre-season was perhaps a fitting decision from Nuno and Forest chiefs to extract more from the players and reject the sentiment that The Cottagers are a notorious stumbling block.

However, following two goalless encounters to kick off their pre-season period, the fixture against familiar Premier League opposition may generate even more of an incentive to produce a solid performance with the new campaign commencing in three weeks time.

Forest failed to score against League Two side Chesterfield and returned to the home of The Spireites to face Monaco, hoping to redeem themselves from a lacklustre performance, but the match resulted in the same outcome.

Fulham ended last term with their best Premier League points tally and finished in 11th place, adrift of European competition once more but admirably stable in the mid-table.

With a whole host of clubs inundated with transfer approaches and striking deals for fresh faces, Fulham have completely abstained and they remain the only Premier League side not to delve into the transfer market this summer.

Comfortable wins behind closed doors against Aberdeen and West Bromwich Albion gave Silva an opportunity to distribute minutes evenly among the squad and re-assure him of the quality his personnel possess.

Fulham's recruitment has been unique and has ultimately buoyed their project.

Whether they were snapping up players on the fringes of leading Premier League clubs or recognising experienced players still with something to offer, Fulham have reaped the rewards of their incomings in recent seasons.

Brighton, Manchester United and Chelsea are Fulham's opening games in August, and fans will finally see their side in action on Saturday.

They will be able to give their verdict as to if staying clear of acquisitions, at least early on in the window, is a choice the club may come to rue.

Team News
Nottingham Forest
Familiar starters were introduced in Forest's last pre-season test against Monaco when Chris Wood, Nikola Milenkovic and Morgan Gibbs-White were given the nod for some minutes.

The latter has been subject to ongoing speculation of a move to Tottenham Hotspur which comes after Anthony Elanga's departure to Newcastle United.

The England international initially withdrew from joining the squad in Portugal due to a private matter, which was separate from the transfer conversations.

He has since reunited with his teammates before their contest against Fulham with his transfer still potentially looming.

New signings Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha could make their debuts in a Forest shirt on Saturday.

Both penned deals after their duties for Botafogo at the Club World Cup concluded and Jesus particularly caught the eye.

The 24-year-old striker will be eager to prove a point as a principal player to spearhead Forest to greater heights given that Nuno's outfit in their previous two matches have failed to notch a goal.

Nicolas Dominguez remains out of action for a considerable period after sustaining a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Wales international Neco Williams is still unavailable for selection, yet upon extending his contract Trentside, he stated that he was expecting to complete his recovery before the season starts.

Fulham
In stark contrast to their upcoming opponents, Fulham have scored five goals in their last two games and will give a typically resolute Forest defensive unit cause for concern.

Silva has a fully fit squad to experiment with while Emile Smith Rowe and Harry Wilson have showcased their eye for goals recently.

Antonee Robinson's 10 assists for The Cottagers last season was more than any other full-back, and he will surely be utilised as an outlet.

His exemplary service to attackers and aptitude for crosses often gave license to Alex Iwobi to roam inside and they worked in tandem to provide an offensive threat.

Rodrigo Muniz and Raul Jimenez will vye to justify their place regularly in Silva's starting elevens going forward.

Josh King also signed a new contract which will see him continue his stay in South West London until 2029.

He could become a greater part of Silva's plans having got himself on the scoresheet in Fulham's 4-1 rout against Aberdeen.

Likely lineups
Nottingham Forest
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Abbott; Yates, Sangare; Jota Silva, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus

Fulham
Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Muniz

Key Players
Nottingham Forest - Callum Hudson-Odoi
As star winger Anthony Elanga has been poached by Newcastle United and Gibbs-White is seemingly on the cusp of a move to North London, an opportunity presents itself to Hudson-Odoi to step into the limelight and surpass his remit to post significant attacking numbers next season.

Losing strong relationships can often provoke doubt over new partnerships working to the same efficacy, but Hudson-Odoi has the capability to be self-centric and threaten with his direct dribbling.

Igor Jesus' introduction may catalyse a more dynamic front line and more output from the striker in various phases of play may support the English winger.

Forest are sure to have deals in the works to replace Elanga and consequently maintain their threat in transition, so Hudson-Odoi will have to reinforce how valuable he is for Forest in the final third.

Fulham - Alex Iwobi
Iwobi demonstrated his immense durability after playing in all 38 games last season and providing 15 goal contributions.

The 29-year-old is entering his third season at Fulham and his effect on the team has gradually improved.

This has also been influenced by his burgeoning partnership with Robinson, which has seen the left flank become a vital asset to Fulham.

He has not been in and amongst the goals so far in pre-season, so this could give him the added motivation in this tie against Forest.

Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The teams face off at the Estádio de São Luís in the Portuguese city of Faro, situated on the southern coast of the country. It is the home of Sporting Clube Farense, and it has a capacity of 7,000 spectators.

What time is kick-off?
The game will kick off at 20:00 BST on Saturday, 26th July 2025.

How can I watch?
Although the fixture has not been selected to be televised on mainstream channels, the match is available to watch on Forest TV, where a match pass is available to watch the game for £5.99.



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2025/07/25/1228599-nottingham-forest-vs-fulham-pre-season-friendly-preview-2025.html

[bill taylors apprentice]

The fact they made the second game "behind closed doors" almost at the last minute after people made travel arrangements has been commented on by others.
"
I wonder if the so-called "Fans advisory board" has anything to say about another case of the fans being an afterthought.

Or maybe those on the FAB are the kind of 'fan' that's not that bothered by pre season friendlies?

I'm not going to Portugal but this action just reminds me how poor the club regards my experience in the Hammersmith End.

 

[iansthailand]

Fulham v Forest Hesgoal are advertising the game

[SerbianLad]

Looking forward to this one, regardless of everything. Thankfully it is televised in Serbia so I will be able to watch it too.

[Somerset Fulham]

I didn't know you were based in Serbia, SL, I always presumed you were over here for some reason!

I can't get excited by this game for any reason other than a run out for some fitness. I don't care about the result.

[SerbianLad]

I didn't know you were based in Serbia, SL, I always presumed you were over here for some reason!

I've lived in Serbia my whole life actually! That being said, I rarely watch Serbian leagues and I've been watching PL and Championship ever since I began watching football. By far the most entertaining league system in the world!

[Somerset Fulham]

I didn't know you were based in Serbia, SL, I always presumed you were over here for some reason!

I've lived in Serbia my whole life actually! That being said, I rarely watch Serbian leagues and I've been watching PL and Championship ever since I began watching football. By far the most entertaining league system in the world!

I don't know why I should be surprised by this, what with you being Serbian and all! 

[SerbianLad]

How do you think Marco will manage minutes today?

Will it be one team in the first half and then a completely different team in the second half? Or will we see periodical changes in the second half? Will Lecomte play or not?

[iansthailand]

I didn't know you were based in Serbia, SL, I always presumed you were over here for some reason!

I've lived in Serbia my whole life actually! That being said, I rarely watch Serbian leagues and I've been watching PL and Championship ever since I began watching football. By far the most entertaining league system in the world!

I don't know why I should be surprised by this, what with you being Serbian and all! 

It's probably because  his English is so good Somerset.

[_Putney_]

I'd rather spend the extra pound to support Fulham FC.

[SerbianLad]

https://twitter.com/FulhamFC/status/1949167847630045379

Robinson, Lukic and Iwobi on the bench the only surprises (considering they usually started last season when available).

Edit: No Jimenez at all is also surprising. An injury probably?

[sunburywhite]

Jiminez has just had 4 extra weeks or so to his season playing for Mexico so is probably still on the beach