Up next: AFC Bournemouth (h)
12/29/2024 05:46 AM
Optimism abounds at Craven Cottage after Marco Silva’s side proved that there is only one team in Fulham by winning the Derby at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 45 years. Boxing Day’s dramatic turnaround, inspired by substitutes Harry Wilson and Marco Silva, has the Fulham faithful dreaming once again about climbing the Premier League table.
Bournemouth are well placed to cancel that buzz this afternoon. The Cherries are in teriffic form under Andoni Iraola and head to SW6 above Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in sixth place. American billionaire Bill Foley, a Texan who made his money in insurance, has ambitious plans to extend the capacity of the Vitality Stadium to 20,000 next door to its current location and building a new training ground as well as targeting European qualification by 2027.
The rate at which Iraolo’s side are progressing than the Bournemouth fans bored rigid by Scott Parker only a couple of seasons ago could be packing their passports for a continental tour much quicker than that. Iroali’s squad is packed with quality, especially at left back in the shape of Milos Kerkez and on the wing with Justin Kluivert, who only failed to join Fulham due to work permit problems, and has six goals to his name already this term. The Dutch winger is suspended this afternoon having been booked five times already.
Other successful signings include Dango Ouattara and Illia Zabarnyi, who have starred since arriving at Dean Court last January, and the Cherries were able to acquire Dominic Solanke’s replacement, Brazilian forward Evanilson, after selling their prolific number nine to Tottenham for £55m. Bournemouth are unbeaten in six games and have amassed 29 points, their highest in the top flight after eighteen games. Their defence has been miserly, conceding just 21 goals, with diligent Dutch centre half Dean Hujisen keeping a clean sheet alongside the outstanding Zabarnyi in a goalless draw against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.
The visitors have an extensive injury list with Adam Smith, Luis Sinisterra, Juan Araujo, Marco Senesi, Alex Scott and Marcus Tavernier all likely to miss out this afternoon. The number of quality players on the treatment table makes Iraola’s successful navigation of an unbeaten December, including a thrashing of Manchester United, all the more remarkable. Following up a win in the SW6 derby with a victory over the Cherries is a tall order, especially for a Fulham side that have struggled for any consistency at all this term.
Silva will likely switch back to a back four this afternoon having started with three centre halves at Stamford Bridge largely because of the suspensions and injuries afflcting his midfield. Kenny Tete and Harrison Reed will be out until will into the New Year, but Sander Berge and Emile Smith Rowe have been handed late fitness tests. Wilson could be rewarded with a start after more Harry heroics created history on Thursday, whilst Muniz might also be pushing for a start after his wonderful winner at Stamford Bridge.
You couldn’t fault Fulham’s desire and intensity even when the chips were down in the derby – and they eventually earned a famous win. Grinding out another one here would be a hell of a way to finish a fabulous year.
MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, A. Robinson, Diop, Bassey; Lukic, Cairney; Traore, Iwobi, Wilson; Jimenez. Subs: Benda, Andersen, R. Sessegnon, King, Pereira, Godo, Smith Rowe, Muniz, Vinicius.
