Premier League: Can Fulham Find Another Gear?

Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur

Marco Silva’s Fulham pursue their Europe chasing dream with a tasty London derby next on the agenda, when Ange Postecoglou brings Tottenham Hotspur to Craven Cottage on Sunday.

It’s 10^th against 13^th but, while Spurs are just three places behind the Cottagers, eight points is the gap and the Whites have no real chance of making the Premier League top seven. Silva’s men have just four points to make up on seventh place and, if results go their way at the weekend, they can leapfrog Bournemouth and Aston Villa into eighth.

The West Londoners have been there or thereabouts throughout the campaign and, with 10 games to go, this is the perfect time for them to step on the accelerator.

Last week, Spurs came back from two goals down to draw at home to Bournemouth while Fulham lost by the odd goal in three away to Brighton, and Postecoglou’s team have a Europa League fixture at home to AZ Alkmaar on Thursday. It’s not a game they can take lightly with a 1-0 deficit from the first leg to make up.

Then Spurs head to the banks of the River Thames to meet Fulham and our SBOTOP odds say they will struggle with the Thursday/Sunday routine, and that can only be good news for the hosts.   

 

Talking Points

Cottagers need to find consistency

Three wins from the last five games have kept Fulham in the hunt. But two losses last week against the Seagulls and at home to Crystal Palace last month have hampered their progress. Fulham’s trip to Brighton was a particularly frustrating match, as the Cottagers led through Mexican striker Raul Jimenez and, after the Seagulls equalised through Jan Paul van Hecke, the hosts won with a 98^th-minute penalty. 

Jimenez’ striker was his 10^th of the campaign, and he had Alex Iwobi to thank after the winger made a scintillating 60-yard run before swinging over a perfect cross for him to chest down and rifle home. Iwobi has scored seven goals this season, and this was his fourth assist, and he is approaching his best form for the Cottagers.

But Silva was understandably frustrated after the game, saying: “It’s a difficult one to take, to lose like we lost. But that’s the reality. It’s football. We gave then two moments. The first half from us was a good level, the second half I disagree.”

Fulham followed an FA Cup win against Wigan and a league victory over high-flying Nottingham Forest with a home loss to the Eagles. They then beat Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league and dumped Manchester United out of the FA Cup before losing to the Seagulls. So, they are due a win, and I expect the Premier League 2025 highlights to show the Cottagers on the front foot for much of the game. 

 

Postecoglou can’t rest players for Sunday   

Spurs have been seeking solace in the Europa League, but they were unimpressive in their first leg away to AZ Alkmaar and they now must see off the Dutch side when they meet in North London on Thursday. So, there is little chance for Postecoglou to rest players, and I expect to see Micky van de Ven, Lucas Bergvall, Heung-Min Son, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, and Dominic Solanke all starting against AZ Alkmaar.

He may choose to rest Pape Matar Sarr, who is fasting during Ramadan, and the 22-year-old may be saved for the 1:30pm kick off against Fulham which will fit better with his energy levels. And midfield anchor Rodrigo Bentancur will take a break on Thursday night as he is suspended, having picked up three yellow cards, and that means Yves Bissouma will probably have to play, though he was poor against the Cherries on Sunday, substituted at halftime. 

The return to fitness of winger Wilson Odobert has given Postecoglou options up front, but he is still relying heavily on Son who has nine assists, and Johnson and Maddison who have nine goals each, for creativity. He needs them to perform at the highest level twice in just over three days, and that is a lot to ask. 

 

History

Spurs have bossed the head to heads with 22 wins to Fulham’s 10, and there have been nine draws in all competitions since 2001. But the two teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Tottenham Hotpsur Stadium in December, while the Cottagers won this fixture 3-0 last term.  

Recent form favours Fulham, with four wins from the last six, while Tottenham have won two over that period.

 

Betting Tip

The Premier League 2025 betting odds are backing a home win, with Tottenham at 3.06 and the Draw at 3.41, while the Double Chance away win or draw is at 1.86.

I think the Cottagers have a handy advantage with four more days to prepare and a bigger incentive in this game, so it’s a home win for me.

   

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