Fulham are riding a wave of inexorable momentum ahead of the final game of 2024 against Bournemouth.
The Cottagers are in top spirits going into Sunday’s game after securing a historic win at Chelsea on Boxing Day. Rodrigo Muniz struck last to give Fulham their first win at Stamford Bridge in 45 years.
“It will be one of the best days of boxing for the fans in the last 50 years,” manager Marco Silva beamed after the game, his side climbing to eighth in the table.
Fulham, like their upcoming opponents, are currently unbeaten in six games and will usurp sixth-placed Bournemouth with a win at home.
The Cherries’ Boxing Day venture wasn’t quite as euphoric as they played out a rather monotonous stalemate with Crystal Palace at the Vitality. However, Bournemouth fans have little to complain about given what their team has already achieved this term.
These two teams, given their start to the season, must harbor genuine aspirations to secure European football for 2025/26.
Here 90 minutes guide for this Premier League conflict.
Fulham vs Bournemouth H2H record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Fulham |
Bournemouth |
|---|---|
|
Chelsea 1-2 Fulham – 26.12.24 |
Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace – 26.12.24 |
|
Fulham 0-0 Southampton – 22.12.24 |
Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth – 22.12.24 |
|
Liverpool 2-2 Fulham – 14.12.24 |
Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham – 16.12.24 |
|
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal – 12.08.24 |
Ipswich 1-2 Bournemouth – 12.08.24 |
|
Fulham 3-1 Brighton – 12.05.24 |
Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham – 12.06.24 |
|
Earth |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
Great Britain |
It was not televised |
|
United States |
Peacock |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 7 Canada |
Fulham were without several key players for the trip to Bournemouth, including Antonee Robinson, who has arguably been the Premier League’s standout left-back this season. Robinson was suspended after picking up his fifth league booking on Boxing Day.
With Timothy Castagne filling in for the injured Kenny Tete at right back, Calvin Bassey is likely to fill in for the USMNT star.
The hosts are also without Sander Berge with an ankle injury, while Reiss Nelson is out for some time with a hamstring problem. Emile Smith Rowe is uncertain with a shot, but Harrison Reed’s return to the matchday squad could happen.
Expected lineup of Fulham against Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Sloth; Castagne, Diop, Andersen, Bassey; Lukić, Cairney; Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz.
Bournemouth also have a player suspended on Sunday. The visitors will be without penalty master Justin Kluivert due to the accumulation of yellow cards.
Adam Smith is the latest addition to a fairly extensive injury list, but the veteran right-back only has a knock and could be available this weekend.
Marcus Tavernier is set to return from a hamstring injury in the new year, while Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra are closing in on their returns. Julian Araujo and Marcos Senesi have to wait a long time until they are ready to shoot again.
Predicted line-up of Bournemouth against Fulham (4-2-3-1): Cap; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Cook; Semenyo, Billing, Ouattara; Evanilson.
This should be an intriguing battle between the division’s two teams, although both managers will have to adjust due to the absence of several players.
Fulham coped well at Stamford Bridge given their injury list and Marco Silva appreciated the balance and set the stage for a historic win. He has trained brilliantly this season and the battle on the touchline with Andoni Iraola will be decisive in determining Sunday’s winner.
Without Tavernier and Kluivert, Bournemouth have lost some of their dynamism and guile, although Evanilson’s return to the XI should bring a lift from the quiet doldrums on Boxing Day.
The fight for control may never be won between two evenly matched sides, and a division of the spoils only seems fair.
Prediction: Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth
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