Friday Fulham Stuff - 15/04/22...

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FLW TV's Weekend Preview: Fulham on the cusp of the Premier League as crucial Easter looms across the EFL

Fulham are looking to book their place in the Premier League next season over the Easter period.

Marco Silva's side are on the brink of confirming their promotion and can do so in what could be an epic Easter weekend right across the EFL.

In the Championship there's the promotion race still to be settled, whilst the slog for the play-offs continues.

Barnsley, Derby County and Peterborough United could all have their fate sealed at the wrong end of the division, too.

In League One, Wigan Athletic, MK Dons and Rotherham United are involved in a thrilling race for the top-two, whilst the play-off chase beneath them is also well worth watching.

Like in the Championship, there's also relegation to be settled in League One, which gives this Easter schedule added edge.

Finally, League Two follows suit in that there's much to play for at both ends of the division, with promotion and relegation on the agenda over on FLW TV's Easter Preview.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/flw-tvs-weekend-preview-fulham-on-the-cusp-of-the-premier-league-as-crucial-easter-looms-across-the-efl/

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Derby County vs Fulham Preview: Shot maps, xT creation zones and more – what do the stats say?



On Friday 15th April 2022, second bottom Derby County take on the league leaders Fulham in the EFL Championship. The last time these two teams met was back in November 2021 and the match ended goalless at Craven Cottage. Coming into this game, Fulham surprisingly lost 1-3 at home to Coventry City and Derby County lost 1-2 away at Swansea City.



Derby County are coming into this game back having lost 1-2 at Swansea City. Tom Lawrence scored a penalty in what was nothing more than a consolation. That defeat leaves Derby with 12 wins, 13 draws and 16 losses to their name. Defensively, Derby have performed above the xGA mark as the latter predicted the Rams to let in 55 goals but in reality they have conceded 47 goals, an overperformance by eight goals.



Shown above is the shot map of Derby County from open play this season. The Rams have taken few shots from favourable positions compared to their league rivals which may explain the low goals per game of 0.97 goals per game. Tom Lawrence has been the standout performer for Derby this season in front of goal with 11 goals to his name. The Rams are hitting 32.2% of their shots on target.



In addition to being the top goalscorer for his team, Lawrence is also the leading assist maker for Derby. However, the most successful threat creator for the Rams has been Max Bird and most of his threat comes from corners. From open play, Nathan Byrne has created the most threat for Derby this campaign.



Fulham come into this game after a shock 1-3 defeat at home against Coventry City. Bobby Reid scored for Fulham in that defeat. That defeat means Fulham have lost their seventh game this season (they have won 25 and drawn eight). The Cottagers have been by far and away the best attack in this season's EFL Championship. The Cottagers have scored 94 goals this season as against an xG of 85 goals, an overperformance of 9 goals.



Given above is the performances of Fulham this season relative to the rest of the league. The Cottagers have been too good this season that they are not ranked in the top 10% in only four important categories: long ball accuracy, aerial duels per 90, defensive duels per 90 padj (possession adjusted) and defensive duels success rate. The other two relatively unimportant categories where they are not in the top 10% are fouls per 90 and yellow cards per 90.

Even though this is a clash between an overperforming defence (Derby) and an overperforming attack (Fulham), it is difficult to see this match as anything other than a Fulham victory.



https://eflanalysis.com/analysis/tactical-preview/efl-championship-preview-derby-county-vs-fulham

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Fulham keen on Liverpool star return as boss gives update on £7.5m Fabio Carvalho transfer deal

Fulham want to keep Neco Williams for next season after a successful loan stint in west London

Fulham are keen on keeping Wales and Liverpool star Neco Williams for another season.

The full-back joined the Cottagers on loan in January and the north Walian has made an instant impact in west London. He scored two in the 5-0 thrashing of Swansea City earlier this year and with the Londoners currently 10 points clear at the top of the Championship, it is a case of when, not if, a Premier League return is confirmed.

The Telegraph report that Marco Silva's side would like Williams to stay at Craven Cottage for their top-flight reunion, with the Reds "set to weigh up" what to do with the defender for next season. With Trent Alexander-Arnold the undisputed first-choice full-back at Anfield, another loan deal would certainly make sense.

Transfer negotiations between the two clubs have been long standing; Jurgen Klopp tried to sign Fulham's Fabio Carvalho in January, with a loan back to the Championship club set to be included in the move, but a deal could not be struck in time before the deadline. However, our colleagues at the Liverpool Echo report that a £7.5million summer transfer is now edging closer.

Silva, though, has given an update on the situation, adding that he still hopes the teenager will sign a contract extension with the club. He said: "It has been a rumour since November, probably. I am speaking every single week about Fabio Carvalho. His full focus is on our club.

"I can't lie to you, we have been trying to renew his contract and it has been really difficult for us. Unfortunately the player has got into the last year of his contract and is a player who is doing a fantastic season. I really love him as a football player and we are helping him to grow as a man and football player.

"About his future, I hope I can have a right answer for you soon - probably the end of the season. It has been tough for us to renew his contract, but let's see what we can do."

Williams is set to be part of Rob Page's summer plans as Wales aim to qualify for their first World Cup since 1958, with a play-off date with either Scotland or Ukraine now confirmed.



https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfer-williams-fabio-carvalho-23701307

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resh update links Fulham with Liverpool transfer raid

Fulham are interested in adding Neco Williams to the side on a permanent basis this summer.

According to the Telegraph, the London club have been impressed with his stint at Craven Cottage and are looking to keep him as part of Marco Silva's plans in the Premier League.

Williams joined Fulham on loan from Liverpool until the end of the campaign in the January transfer window.

Since then, the 21-year-old has played 11 Championship games, scoring and assisting twice to help the team in their promotion bid.

The Welsh international's performances have helped Fulham's bid to regain promotion back to the Premier League.

Liverpool have yet to make a decision as the club weighs up its options going into the summer window.

This evening's clash with Derby County could be the moment that the team seals their fate on a successful campaign.

Silva's side currently lead the Championship table, with a 16-point gap to fourth place Nottingham Forest being the biggest hurdle to promotion being sealed.

If Steve Cooper's side fail to beat Luton Town this afternoon then a victory at Pride Park would confirm Fulham's place in next season's top flight.

Fabio Carvalho is expected to go the other way in a separate move, with the 19-year-old's contract expiring at the end of the season.

The Verdict

This would be a smart addition for Fulham to make going into the Premier League.

Williams has performed well in the opportunities he has been given and this will pad out the squad nicely.

At 21-years-old, the full-back still has so much potential to still develop in his game, which is very exciting.

The decision will ultimately come down to Liverpool, but Fulham should do what they can to get this deal over the line.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fresh-update-links-fulham-with-liverpool-transfer-raid/

[WhiteJC]

Luton Town 1-0 Nottingham Forest: Kal Naismith's penalty boosts the Hatters' play-off hopes as they hold on after Sonny Bradley's sending off with Fulham now able to clinch promotion to the Premier League tonight

    Luton Town boosted their top six hopes with win over Nottingham Forest
    Kal Naismith settled the contest with a penalty late in the opening half
    Hatters clung on for three points despite Sonny Bradley's sending off
    Result means that Fulham can clinch promotion if they win at Derby tonight

Beach balls, balloons and a pea-green lilo bounced around in the away end before kick-off but a little of the air has gone out of Nottingham Forest's quest for automatic promotion after they crashed to defeat at Luton.

Steve Cooper's team lost in the Championship for the first time since January, a run of five wins in a row brought to an abrupt end at Kenilworth Road, where Kai Naismith scored the only goal from the penalty spot.

It was intense and bad-tempered at times but victory keeps Luton on track for an unlikely place in the play-offs. They finished the game with 10 men after the dismissal of captain Sonny Bradley in the 77th minute but they showed their courage and unity as they held on. 

Three points lifts them above Forest and they celebrated noisily at the final whistle, with fans dreaming of reaching the Premier League for the first time still very much alive as the promotion race reaches its final stages.

Naismith's goal came from a penalty disputed by Forest. James Bree and Jack Colback set off down the Luton right, in pursuit of a long pass out of defence by Bradley. As Bree tried to cut inside, he lifted the ball up against Colback's right arm.

Without VAR in the Championship, the assistant referee on the spot flagged for an offence against, referee James Linnington noticed the Forest wing-back was just inside the penalty area and pointed to the spot.

Forest disputed the decision, claiming Bree handled the ball first but the replays supported the officials. Bree did slap the ball with his left hand but not until after it had rebounded in his direction from Colback's arm.

Naismith stepped up to take responsibility from Elijah Adebayo, who missed from the spot during a defeat at Huddersfield on Monday, and converted with confidence, sending Brice Samba the wrong way.

The home side, having started the day a place and two points behind their visitors, had been the better team until this stage. They opened brightly, with good energy and intensity giving Forest little time to settle, and roared on by a capacity crowd bathed in spring sunshine.

Luton's first penalty appeal of the day, a claim for handball against Joe Worrall was waved aside, early in the game, and Samba made a fine save with his legs to deny Fred Onyedinma from close range in the eighth minute.

Forest's best chance of the first half fell to Lewis Grabban. Released by a pass from Keinan Davis, Grabban aimed low and was foiled by James Shea, with a strong save low to his right. 

Cooper's team found a better rhythm after the interval with Brennan Johnson and Djed Spence an increasing threat on the right flank. Spence saw a goal ruled out for offside before Philip Zinckernagel wasted a glorious chance, moments after coming on.

Zinckernagel was unmarked in front of goal but was unable to generate power as he headed a floated cross from Johnson, and 'keeper Shea protected Luton's lead. Ryan Yates swept a more difficult chance wide at the near post.

Tempers frayed as Forest gathered momentum, and Luton were reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute when Bradley collected a second yellow card, a foul on Sam Surridge.

Surridge was clearly in an offside position but Bradley suspected the last touch had come from a Luton player so he blocked his run and took him out. Already cautioned in the first half for a foul on Davis, the Luton captain was sent off and his team braced to resist more pressure.

Zinckernagel struck a post in the 85th minute, a delightful flash of fast feet and curling shot from the edge of the penalty area, and Shea produced another fabulous save to frustrate Johnson in the ensuing scramble.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10721999/Luton-Town-1-0-Nottingham-Forest-Kal-Naismiths-penalty-boosts-Hatters-play-hopes.html