Saturday Fulham Stuff - 18/04/26...

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Everton, Crystal Palace and Fulham in battle for 'Algerian wizard' – Conditions for deal outlined
Fulham, Everton, Brentford and Crystal Palace are all in the picture for Ilan Kebbal as Premier League clubs step up their interest ahead of the summer window.

The Paris FC attacking midfielder is emerging as a clear market opportunity. His profile blends creativity, volume and consistency. That combination has caught attention across England, especially among clubs looking to add depth without overspending.

Recently we covered that Leeds, Southampton and Watford were in the picture to sign him in the summer. That means there will be no shortage of suitors for him.

Fulham, Everton, Brentford and Crystal Palace attracted
Ilan Kebbal has delivered 8 goals and 5 assists in 26 matches this season. That equates to 0.54 goal involvements per 90 minutes, a strong return for a player operating between midfield and the wing.

But his numbers go beyond surface-level production. His non-penalty expected goals sits at 0.28 per 90, placing him in the top 78 percentile of Ligue 1 players. Meanwhile, he averages just under two shots per game and scores once every 5.5 attempts.

In possession, he stands out even more. Kebbal completes 86.58% of his passes and averages 57 touches on the ball per match. He also produces 2.13 key passes per game, with an expected assists rate of 0.28 per 90 – a figure higher than 92% of players in the league.

Those metrics reflect a player who thrives on involvement. He is comfortable receiving under pressure, drives forward with the ball and regularly breaks defensive lines.

In addition, his dribbling and flair give him an edge in tight spaces, something Premier League sides increasingly value in attacking midfield roles. He is often reffered as "Algerian wizard" by Parisian fans.

Price set as player opens door to move
According to L'Equipe, Ilan Kebbal is expected to listen to offers this summer despite being under contract until 2028. Paris FC are in a strong position, but the situation is moving towards a potential sale.

The report states that a fee between €10m and €12m (£8.6m-£10.3m) would be required to secure his signing. That shouldn't be a problem for Fulham, Everton, Brentford or Crystal Palace.

Interest is not limited to England. Rennes, Monaco and Lyon are all tracking him in France, while clubs in Saudi Arabia are also seen as a possible destination. However, Premier League sides could shift the balance with a stronger financial package.

What happens next
Ilan Kebbal's situation now looks open. Premier League clubs are monitoring closely, and the relatively modest asking price makes him an attractive option.

Either one of Brentford, Fulham, Everton or Crystal Palace could really use some more consistent creative output in the final third. So if one of them moves early, this could quickly turn into a smart deal.

Otherwise, the presence of Ligue 1 and Saudi interest ensures competition will only intensify as the window approaches.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/everton-crystal-palace-and-fulham-in-battle-for-algerian-wizard-conditions-for-deal-outlined/

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Fulham manager's appeal partially upheld
An independent Appeal Board has partially upheld an appeal in relation to Fulham's Marco Silva.

The head coach was charged by The FA following comments that he made after the Premier League match against West Ham United on Wednesday 4 March.
 
Marco Silva allegedly acted in an improper manner by making comments in a post-match interview that imply bias and/or question integrity and/or are personally offensive in relation to a match official.
 
The head coach admitted the charge against him, and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed a one-match touchline suspension and £90,000 fine following a hearing.
 
The suspension was paused pending the outcome of an appeal, and it has now been suspended by the Appeal Board until the end of the 2026/27 season. The fine imposed by the Regulatory Commission remains as originally ordered.
 
The Appeal Board's written reasons will be published in due course.



https://www.thefa.com/news/2026/apr/17/marco-silva-update-170426

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BRENTFORD V FULHAM
Although seventh-placed Brentford are five places above Fulham, it's so tight in that middle bracket of the Premier League that the visitors could go level on points with the Bees if they win Saturday's early kick-off.

Brentford have lost just once in the top-flight since January but their charge towards a shock Champions League spot has been halted by a run of four straight draws. Still, Europe remains a very realistic prospect and this is the first of four London derbies they'll face in the final six games.

Fulham suffered a ninth away defeat of the campaign when losing 2-0 to Liverpool last weekend. They were competitive in that game but just couldn't take their chances.

Brentford v Fulham kick-off time
Brentford v Fulham kicks off at 12.30pm BST on Saturday, April 18 at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Brentford v Fulham how to watch
The game will be shown live in the UK via TNT Sports 1. Coverage begins at 12pm.

TalkSPORT will provide live radio coverage.

Brentford team news
Brentford will be without Jordan Henderson (knock) and Rico Henry (thigh) for the short hop to the Gtech (the two grounds are less than five miles apart).

Defender Aaron Hickey also looks set to miss out with a thigh injury but Mikkel Damsgaard will hopefully be fit again following an illness.

Fulham team news
Fulham's treatment room is less busy than many of their Premier League rivals.

But Kenny Tete (ankle) and Harrison Reed (knee) are both out for at least another week.

Kevin will be out for longer but is hoping to play again before the end of the season.

Brentford v Fulham odds
Brentford, who have won seven, drawn six and lost three of their 16 home league games, are 11/10 to bank all three points.

Fulham are 9/4 for the win while The Draw is 11/4.

Brentford start the weekend five points off fifth place. They're 20/1 for a Top 5 finish.

Brentford v Fulham prediction
Fulham don't have a great record on the road this season but they won 3-2 at the Gtech last term and have beaten Brentford in each of the last three meetings.

Marco Silva's men have been creating plenty of chances (41 shots in their last two Premier League games) and if they keep that up the goals should come.

While Brentford are strong at home, only two teams have played out more home draws and that looks the best option here.

And it could be another entertaining one. Brentford have drawn their last two home games (v Wolves and Brentford) 2-2 and a repeat of that is 12/1.

Fulham have been better in the second half of games so also take a look at Brentford/Draw in the Half Time/Full Time market.

Brentford to be leading at the break before Fulham hit back to take a point is priced at 14s.



https://www.football365.com/match-preview/brentford-v-fulham-prediction-preview

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What Fulham sources are now saying about making a move for Chelsea's Axel Disasi
Chelsea are still expected to part ways with Axel Disasi at the end of the season, and Fulham are waiting for a decision to be made by the Blues before deciding on making a move for him.

The Frenchman has enjoyed a return to regular action since moving on loan to West Ham in January, and has played a big part in them moving outside of the relegation zone.

Disasi has more clean sheets at West Ham than Liam Rosenior's Chelsea have managed, as the Blues continue to struggle at the back in the absence of Levi Colwill.

Fulham interested in signing Axel Disasi from Chelsea
While the Hammers will no doubt be interested in a permanent deal for the defender if they manage to stay up, Fulham have also been mentioned as a side interested in a deal.

However, sources close to the club told iNews that their desire to strike a deal will depend on how much Chelsea are going to ask for from their West London rivals.

He said: "The club are still in the mix for Disasi, but that depends on how much Chelsea would want for him."

"However, Calvin Bassey is very likely to stay and there is a desire to keep Ryan Sessegnon, especially as Antonee Robinson hasn't been great this season."

The Blues were always going to be hopeful of recouping a large amount of the £39m transfer fee they paid for the Frenchman, however will struggle to get near that.

Chelsea could use Disasi to sign key transfer target
After spending half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, it has been reported that the Europa League semi-finalists are keen on bringing him back to the club.

The news comes at the same time that Chelsea are strongly linked with a move for Morgan Rogers, however would be expected to pay close to £100m to get that deal done.

Chelsea can try and get some of that money off the deal by offering a swap, also allowing Disasi the chance to play European football again.

Villa are very likely to finish in the top five this season, and even if they don't are just two rounds of the Europa League away from qualifying for the Champions League that way.



https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/transfer-news/what-fulham-sources-are-now-saying-about-making-a-move-for-chelseas-axel-disasi/

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Team News: Brentford vs. Fulham injury, suspension list, predicted XIs
West London duo Brentford and Fulham battle it out at the Gtech Community Stadium in the Premier League's lunchtime kickoff on Saturday.

The Cottagers secured a 3-1 victory over the Bees in September's reverse fixture, and here, Sports Mole rounds up all the latest team news for the two clubs.

BRENTFORD vs. FULHAM

BRENTFORD

Out: Rico Henry (thigh), Antoni Milambo (knee), Fabio Carvalho (knee), Josh Dasilva (knee), Vitaly Janelt (ankle), Jordan Henderson (knock), Kaye Furo (groin)

Doubtful: Mikkel Damsgaard (illness)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Yarmolyuk, Jensen; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago

FULHAM

Out: Kevin (foot), Kenny Tete (ankle)

Doubtful: None

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi; Wilson, King, Bobb; Jimenez



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/brentford/injury-news/team-news/brentford-vs-fulham-injury-suspension-list-predicted-xis_595781.html

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Brentford vs Fulham: Preview and Prediction
Brentford and Fulham will aim to return to winning ways and get closer to achieving their European aspirations when they clash at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.

We are only a month away from the end of another memorable and action-packed Premier League season. The 2025/26 campaign will resume with Gameweek 33 on Saturday, with the action on the day starting with Brentford vs Fulham at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Brentford's charge towards European qualification has become a crawl in recent weeks. The Bees, one of the surprise packages of the 2025/26 Premier League season under Keith Andrews, are on a five-match unbeaten run in the top flight. However, they have played out a stalemate in their last four games, accounting for half of their draws this term. That has allowed clubs behind them to bridge the gap to the seventh spot, with 12th-placed Fulham only three points behind.

Speaking of Fulham, the Cottagers continue to make waves under the tutelage of Marco Silva. However, like other campaigns under the Portuguese tactician, they have plateaued during the run-in, having won only one of their four most recent Premier League games. The West London outfit produced an underwhelming display last week in the 2-0 loss to Liverpool, and Silva will be eager to guide his team back to winning ways this weekend.

The reverse fixture saw Fulham come from a goal down to beat Fulham 3-1, with Harry Wilson scoring the match-winning goal before Ethan Pinnock's own goal sealed the three points. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

Team News & Tactics

Brentford
Keith Andrews has a new issue that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side's latest fixture. The Brentford head coach may be bereft of the services of as many as eight first-team players vs Fulham on Saturday.

Andrews has been sweating over Mikkel Damsgaard's fitness, as the Danish international is recovering from an illness. Damsgaard will face a late test to determine his availability for the game against Fulham this weekend.

However, Rico Henry (thigh), Jordan Henderson (knock), and Vitaly Janelt (ankle) remain in the treatment room alongside Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo, and Josh Dasilva, with the trio recovering from knee issues. Meanwhile, Saturday's game may also come too soon for Aaron Hickey (thigh)

Caoimhin Kelleher is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Brentford lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Fulham on Saturday. The backline will feature Michael Kayode, Sepp van den Berg, Nathan Collins, and Keane Lewis-Potter.

As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Yehor Yarmolyuk and Mathias Jensen in the double pivot, while Damsgaard is nailed on to reprise the no. 10 role if he is fit and available. Finally, Igor Thiago will lead the line for Brentford against Fulham, with Kevin Schade and Dango Ouattara being the two wide attackers.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Yarmolyuk, Jensen; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago

Fulham
Unlike his counterpart in the Fulham dugout, Marco Silva has no new issues to worry about ahead of the short trip to the Gtech Community Stadium. The Fulham head coach will be without three first-team players on Saturday.

Kenny Tete (ankle), Harrison Reed (knee), and Kevin (foot) remain in the treatment room for the away side. While Tete and Reed should return within a week, Kevin will only be available towards the end of the 2025/26 season.

Bernd Leno is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Fulham lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Brentford on Saturday. The backline will feature Timothy Castagne, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, and Antonee Robinson.

As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Sander Berge and Alex Iwobi in the double pivot, with Joshua King reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Harry Wilson and Oscar Bobb will be the two wide attackers, with Raul Jimenez spearheading the Fulham attack against Brentford on Saturday.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi; Wilson, King, Bobb; Jimenez

Key Stats

    Brentford lost the corresponding fixture 3-2 last season, but they have not lost consecutive home league games vs Fulham since April 1998. Meanwhile, the Cottagers have won their three most recent league games against Brentford, more than they had in their first 14 meetings with the Bees in the 21st century (W2 D4 L8).
    Brentford have drawn their last four Premier League matches, having only drawn four of their first 28 games in 2025/26 (W13 D11). The Bees have only played five successive league stalemates once before, doing so in March/April 1957.
    Fulham have lost ten of their last 15 Premier League games against teams starting the day in the top half of the Premier League table (W3 D2), including the four most recent outings since a 2-1 win over Chelsea in January.
    Since the turn of the year, no side has scored fewer first-half Premier League goals than Fulham (4). The Cottagers have underperformed their xG by the biggest margin in the first half of games, scoring just over four fewer goals than they have been expected on their xG of 8.2.
    Only Newcastle United (30) have conceded more goals after scoring first in Premier League games this season than Brentford (24), whose last three games when going 1-0 ahead have seen them win 4-3 against Burnley and draw 2-2 with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton.

Player to Watch

Igor Thiago
While Harry Wilson, Raul Jimenez, and Kevin Schade were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Igor Thiago as the Player to Watch for Saturday's Premier League clash between Brentford and Fulham at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Only Erling Haaland (22) has scored more Premier League goals this season than Thiago (21). The last Brazilian player to score more in a season in one of Europe's big-five leagues was Neymar for Barcelona in 2015/16 (24). Expect the 24-year-old to be the go-to player for Marco Silva in the final third as he hopes to go level with Haaland in the Premier League Golden Boot race.

Prediction
Brentford 1-1 Fulham

The reverse fixture was not an evenly-contested affair, as the Brentford players were still getting to grips with Keith Andrews's methods after a summer that ravaged the club. However, things have changed drastically since then, with the Bees being the best team outside the top six, even outperforming the bigwigs at times.

However, the hosts have tended to slip up at crucial junctures in recent weeks, and with Harry Wilson running the show for a mercurial Fulham side, a close contest is on the cards. Wilson will regain some form and deliver the goods in the final third, but Igor Thiago will continue his charge towards the Premier League Golden Boot to earn his team a point.



https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2026/04/17/brentford-vs-fulham-preview-and-prediction-3/

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Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham vying for Ilan Kebbal
Crystal Palace, Everton, and Fulham are reportedly keen on signing 27-year-old Algerian international Ilan Kebbal from Ligue 1 club Paris FC in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by French outlet L'Equipe, Crystal Palace, Everton, and Fulham are interested in Paris FC winger Ilan Kebbal. The three Premier League clubs are keen on reinforcing their offensive units by signing a wide attacker ahead of the 2026/27 season. The Algerian international is "expected to be open to offers" this summer, with the Ligue 1 outfit demanding €10-12 million to part ways with him.

Who is Ilan Kebbal?
Ilan Kebbal has established himself as one of the most dependable wingers in the country of his birth since joining Paris FC from Stade Reims in July 2023. Born in Marseille, the 27-year-old spent his formative years in France, starting his youth career at Burel FC before graduating from the academy Marignane Gignac. However, he struggled to land on his feet for several years before moving to Paris FC.

The Algerian international played his part as Paris FC secured promotion to Ligue 1, and he has been impressive this term, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 26 outings across all competitions thus far. Meanwhile, Kebbal's progress at Paris FC has piqued the attention of several well-known clubs, with Crystal Palace, Everton, and Fulham among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.

A man in demand
Everton will dip into the market for a wide attacker in the coming months. While Iliman Ndiaye has been a revelation since arriving from Marseille, widespread reports have linked the Senegalese international with several high-profile Premier League clubs. Additionally, it is unclear if Jack Grealish will complete a permanent move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium after the 2025/26 season.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace and Fulham hold a long-standing interest in Ilan Kebbal. It is hardly surprising that the two London clubs remain keen on signing the Marseille-born winger, as the Eagles want more firepower in the final third, while the Cottagers are sweating over Harry Wilson's long-term future.

While Fulham signed Oscar Bobb in the winter transfer window, Wilson will leave a gaping hole in the West London club's attack if he departs as a free agent this summer. As for Crystal Palace, Oliver Glasner's team has been over-dependent on Ismaila Sarr in the final third, and another productive winger will help them take a step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, recent reports have also linked the 27-year-old Algerian international with other Premier League clubs, while the latest update has revealed that he is a target for Brentford, AS Monaco, Lyon, and Stade Rennais. Paris FC's asking price of €10-12 million adds to Kebbal's appeal, and a summer departure is on the cards.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/04/17/crystal-palace-everton-fulham-vying-for-ilan-kebbal/

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Pre-Brentford Press Conference
Brentford may sit five places above us in the Premier League heading into Saturday's lunchtime kick-off, but such is the congested nature that mid-table, a victory for Fulham would move us level on points with our neighbours.

A European spot remains a very realistic target for both, as well as a number of other sides, so Marco Silva was asked if this weekend's derby holds more significance than usual.

"I do believe, definitely," our Head Coach said. "This game gets more pivotal, more decisive, because it's against a team that's clearly in the battle with us.

"It's a team that is three points above ourselves, and we know that gap that is there, we have to do the maximum we can to win the game, and [if we do] the gap is going to disappear, simple as that.

"And because of that, I agree with you. It's easy to agree. I think all of us, we agree in this room here, that it's a decisive game.

"And as you go for the end [of the season], all of them are going to be decisive, [but] this moment we are going to play against a team that is in the same battle and, of course, the three points, whoever is going to take, it's going to be a big boost."

There are no fewer than seven teams from the capital in the Premier League currently, so local derbies are a fairly regular occurrence, but Silva admitted that the games against Chelsea and Brentford are the fixtures that matter more.

"All the others we enjoy because they are London derbies, but the two are the main ones for the fanbase, and when they are the main ones for the fanbase, you feel it's more special, definitely, because at the end of the day you are here to work, to achieve points, to get good results, to be proud of the position in the table, to achieve the goals that you have for the season.

"But the main thing is, of course, to make the people that love you and the football club proud of the work. And a game like this one will always have an impact on them.

"You know, early kick-off on a Saturday, you can make them have the good weekend that they deserve. And let's work for it. Both teams, they are going to work really hard for it.

"Luckily for the fans, because we have been working very, very hard the last few seasons, we have been giving them the good feelings after these type of special games. Let's hope we can give tomorrow again."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/april/17/pre-brentford-press-conference/

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Matchday Preview: Brentford
🆚 Brentford
🏟 Gtech Community Stadium
🏆 Premier League
🗓 Saturday 18th April
⏰ 12.30pm

The opposition

Having recently sat alongside Fulham as the side with the fewest Premier League draws this season, Brentford have since gone on to draw their previous four in the competition, with their matches against Bournemouth, Wolves, Leeds and Everton all finishing either 0-0 or 2-2. That has not dampened their quest for European football, though, with the Bees currently sitting seventh, three points and five places above Fulham.

Team news

🐝 Aaron Hickey returns having recovered from a hamstring injury, but Jordan Henderson, Vitaly Janelt, Rico Henry, Kaye Furo, Josh Dasilva, Antoni Milambo and Fabio Carvalho all miss out.

🤍 Kenny Tete and Kevin will miss the trip to Hounslow, but Harrison Reed is back in contention.

Tickets

Tickets have sold out for this fixture, meaning there will be 1,725 Fulham supporters in attendance.

Kits

We will be in our green away kit for the short journey west.

Weather

⛅️ A dry day with sunny intervals is forecast, with temperatures of around 16 degrees at kick-off.

Coverage

FFCtv subscribers can listen to commentary from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid, while the match will also be shown on TNT Sports. Overseas supporters can see who is showing the game in your region at this page.

Live screening

Couldn't get a ticket for the game? Why not head on over to Fulham Pier where the match will be shown on the screens at Riverside Market.

Travel disruption

There is no District Line service between Earl's Court and Ealing Broadway / Richmond, while there is a lane closure of the A4 Great West Road in both direction between the Chiswick Roundabout and Lionel Road North/South.

No Room For Racism

As part of No Room For Racism, we are joining the Premier League to make clear that racist abuse has consequences.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/april/17/matchday-preview-brentford/

[WhiteJC]

Brentford and Fulham set for key derby clash
Keith Andrews and Marco Silva both insist they are fully aware of the significance of this weekend's derby between Brentford and Fulham.

Saturday's game is hugely important to both clubs, with each of them chasing European football – Brentford are still in the running for a Champions League place.

"These local derbies are more important than the others," said Fulham boss Silva.

"They are the main ones fanbase feel is more special, definitely. At the end of the day you are here to work to achieve points, to get good results, to be proud of your position in the table.

"But the main thing is of course to make the people that love the football club are proud of the work. A game like this one is always having an impact on them.

"The early kick-off on a Saturday, you can make them have a good weekend that they deserve – and let's work for it.

"Lucky for the fans, because we have been working very, very hard. The last few seasons we have been giving them good feelings after these types of special games. That's what we can give them again."

Fulham have won the past three matches between the two sides, including a dramatic 3-2 triumph last season.

Bees boss Andrews said: "We've got fans that work here who, from the second I came in, were very forthright about the important games. In recent seasons we haven't got the better of them and that doesn't sit well with me."

Andrews is able to select Aaron Hickey, who is available again after injury, but Rico Henry and Vitaly Janlet remain out.

"He (Hickey) has been missing for a number of weeks, so it will be nice to get him back involved. He was close last weekend, but he's had a good week's training," Andrews explained.

"The other two just aren't ready right now. We've got five or six weeks left of the season and hopefully they can play a part."

Jordan Henderson is nearing a return but Saturday's game is expected to come too soon for him to be involved.

For Fulham, Kenny Tete and Kevin are still sidelined but Harrison Reed is back in contention.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/brentford-and-fulham-set-for-key-derby-clash

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From the Press Box: Silva looks ahead to pivotal West London derby
Jack Kelly briefs the fans after the latest Marco Silva press conference.

Fulham's trip to the Gtech tomorrow has a lot more on the line than just bragging rights.

The Bees hover just three points about Fulham, and could extend that gap to six points, or find themselves only above Silva's side by goal difference.

For Fulham, it really is must win. A draw doesn't benefit the Whites; suffer a loss and most fans will declare that as season over. The memories of last season's visit to Brentford will still be fresh in the memory for both sets of fans. A 2-3 win in which Fulham came from behind to break their all-time record points tally in the Premier League. The perfect farewell gift to Thomas Frank.

There's a lot at stake on Saturday afternoon. Although Fulham have beaten the Bees in their last three matchups, a win for the hosts would take them a step closer to European football and all-but end Fulham's hopes on the same fate. That would be a bitter pill to swallow.

Marco Silva confirmed that Kenny Tete remains out with a foot injury. Kevin is back running, but it's too soon for the Brazilian to return to action. Harrison Reed is in contention after missing Liverpool away last week.

Silva understands the importance of the derby, but also notes it as a pivotal game for the club in their quest for European football. With six games to go, time is running out to pick up points, and Fulham have failed to score in four of their last five games in all competitions.

"These local derbies are more important than the others. Luckily for us that in London you have many, we have two big ones (Brentford and Chelsea)", said Silva.

"They are the main ones for the fan base you feel is more special, definitely. At the end of the day you are here to work to achieve points, to get good results, to be proud of your position in the table.

"But the main thing is of course to make the people that love the football club proud of the work. A game like this one is always having an impact on them.

"The early kick-off on a Saturday, you can make them have a good weekend that they deserve and let's work for it", said the boss.

"Lucky for the fans, because we have been working very, very hard. The last few seasons we have been giving them good feelings after these types of special games. That's what we can give them again tomorrow."

The derby means a lot to the fans. There's always needle between these two sets of supporters. I aim to keep myself measured and professional in the press box regardless of the outcome, but in these fixtures, it always has that extra spice.

Sasa Lukic and Emile Smith Rowe has positive cameos off the bench last weekend. Silva may ring the changes as Fulham go in search for back-to-back wins at the Gtech.

Of course Harry Wilson has been the man of the moment in this fixture, with four goals in his last three appearances against Brentford - all ending in three points for Fulham. Can he do it once more tomorrow?

This really is the last chance for Fulham. There is a clutter of teams all vying for those European places, and luckily Fulham are still within touching distance of seventh and eighth place.

I'm looking forward to the game tomorrow, fingers crossed we can get the desired result and keep our season alive.

COYW!



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/from-the-press-box-silva-looks-ahead

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Brentford vs Fulham: Cottagers out to achieve winning feat for first time in 28 years in West London derby
Fulham will have the chance to achieve a winning feat for the first time in 28 years when they take on local rivals Brentford in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.

The Cottagers' European qualification hopes were dealt a blow in last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.

As a result, Marco Silva's side head into the weekend in 12th spot in the Premier League table, with three points separating them from Brentford in seventh position.

The Cottagers have emerged victorious from each of their last three meetings with the Bees, including a 3-2 success on their most recent visit to the Gtech Community Stadium in May 2025.

Fulham out to end 28-year wait in derby clash
On that occasion, Fulham fought back from 2-1 down to clinch a 3-2 victory thanks to second-half efforts from Tom Cairney and Harry Wilson.

Fulham now have the chance to record back-to-back away league wins over Brentford for the first time in 28 years.

Four years after beating Brentford 2-1 at Griffin Park, Fulham picked up a 2-0 victory in their next away league encounter in April 1998.

Silva has confirmed that defender Kenny Tete and winger Kevin remain unavailable for selection.

In positive news, midfielder Harrison Reed is set to return to the matchday squad after missing the defeat to Liverpool with a knock.

Brentford could equal 69-year-old record
Brentford, meanwhile, have put together a five-game unbeaten league run since losing 2-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion on February 21.

However, they will be somewhat frustrated with the fact they have seen each of their last four Premier League games finish all square.

Another point on Saturday would see Brentford record five consecutive league wins for the first time since 1957.

Aaron Hickey has been passed fit ahead of the derby clash, although the game will come too soon for Jordan Henderson.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has also confirmed that Rico Henry and Vitaly Janelt remain sidelined with hamstring and foot problems respectively.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/brentford/news/fulham-out-to-achieve-winning-feat-for-first-time-in-28-years-in-brentford-clash_595916.html

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Marco Silva says Fulham's Brentford derby is 'more special'
Marco Silva previews Fulham's pivotal London derby against Brentford, with both sides battling for European qualification in the Premier League

Marco Silva spoke about another West London derby for Fulham.

The Cottagers are right in the mix for continental competition at the backend of the campaign, and they must travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to face a Brentford outfit with similar aims.

'It's a team that's clearly in a battle with us'

The Bees have drawn their last four fixtures in the Premier League, but they still sit in seventh spot with 47 points. They have overperformed under Keith Andrews, and this Saturday lunchtime kick-off should be a well-contested encounter as a nod to the quality spread across the English top tier.

For Silva, all-London affairs are a regular occurrence, but a triumph in this match would mean more.

"This game gets more pivotal, more decisive, because it's against a team that's clearly in the battle with us. It's a team that is three points above ourselves, and we know that gap that is there, we have to do the maximum we can to win the game, and [if we do] the gap is going to disappear, simple as that.

"And because of that, I agree with you. It's easy to agree. I think all of us, we agree in this room here, that it's a decisive game. And as you go for the end [of the season], all of them are going to be decisive, [but] this moment we are going to play against a team that is in the same battle and, of course, the three points, whoever is going to take, it's going to be a big boost.

"All the others we enjoy because they are London derbies, but the two [Brentford and Chelsea] are the main ones for the fanbase, and when they are the main ones for the fanbase, you feel it's more special, definitely, because at the end of the day you are here to work, to achieve points, to get good results, to be proud of the position in the table, to achieve the goals that you have for the season.

"But the main thing is, of course, to make the people that love you and the football club proud of the work. And a game like this one will always have an impact on them.

"You know, early kick-off on a Saturday, you can make them have the good weekend they deserve. And let's work for it. Both teams, they are going to work really hard for it. Luckily for the fans, because we have been working very, very hard the last few seasons, we have been giving them the good feelings after these type of special games. Let's hope we can give [them on Saturday] again."



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2026/04/18/fulham/1257909-marco-silva-itsmore-specialsilva-sees-an-upcoming-capital-clash-as-a-big-moment-inthe-calendar.html

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