Fulham’s recent performance might have been a mixed bag, but their resilience at Ipswich Town, securing a 1-1 draw despite trailing early, shows their fighting spirit. The Cottagers can secure seven points from their first four Premier League matches for the first time since the 2006/07 season. To achieve this, they must overcome West Ham, a team they defeated 5-0 in the corresponding fixture last season. However, four goals came from players who are no longer with the club or haven’t featured this season.
Marco Silva’s side will aim for their third consecutive head-to-head victory over West Ham—a feat they haven’t achieved since October 1966. Silva’s record against Julen Lopetegui’s teams at home stands at two draws, and he’ll be eager to change that to a win.
West Ham’s Road Record: A Positive Sign?
West Ham has experienced a rollercoaster start to the season, with two wins and two losses in all competitions. Their recent defeat, marked by an Erling Haaland hat-trick, may have left them reeling, but they have shown a strong tendency to perform better away from home. Three of their last four league wins have come on the road, making their visit to Craven Cottage a potentially fruitful.
The Hammers face a daunting challenge as they seek to avoid a third consecutive match without scoring against Fulham—a record they are on the brink of setting. West Ham’s habit of conceding early, with five of their last six Premier League games seeing goals within the first 15 minutes, could be their undoing. However, their lone win in that period came against Crystal Palace, and a victory here could mark their first back-to-back away London derby wins since November 2019.
Key Players to Watch
- Adama Traoré: The Spanish winger has been a standout performer this season, with a goal and an assist in three starts. Traoré hasn’t lost any of the last eight matches where he has contributed a goal, boasting six wins and two draws.
- Jarrod Bowen: Bowen has a knack for finding the net against Fulham, with four goals in nine encounters. Notably, all his goals came before the hour mark, indicating his ability to significantly impact early in the match.
Hot Stat: Fulham’s 1-0 Lead
An intriguing stat to consider: in Fulham’s last 22 matches where the final score wasn’t 0-0, the team that scored first went on to avoid defeat. This could be a critical factor in determining the outcome of this fixture.
Prediction
Given Fulham’s strong start to the season and their home advantage, they will likely edge out West Ham in this encounter. The Cottagers’ recent record and form suggest they can secure a win, especially with West Ham’s struggle to score and tendency to concede early.
Fulham 2-1 West Ham
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