Fulham vs Brentford Preview
- Mbeumo to score
- Over 1.5 goals
Fulham and Brentford clash at Craven Cottage in a Premier League London derby where both teams look to improve on their recent performances.
With both sides having squandered leads recently, this matchup presents an opportunity for each to secure valuable points and reinforce their positions in the top half of the table.
Fulham: Striving for Stability at Home
Fulham endured a frustrating October, finishing the month without a win (D1, L2) after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to Everton in their last league outing.
Despite this, they sit in the top half of the table and have fared well in recent London derbies, remaining unbeaten in their last five top-flight derbies (W2, D3).
Their home form this season has shown signs of improvement, with only one defeat at Craven Cottage so far (W2, D1), compared to a rocky finish at home last season.
However, history is not on their side when it comes to playing Brentford on home turf, as Fulham have won just once in the last 13 home head-to-heads (D6, L6) since 1990.
Brentford: Seeking First Road Points of the Season
Brentford have had a similarly mixed start, letting winning positions slip on several occasions and dropping a league-high 11 points from leads.
They held their nerve in a thrilling 4-3 win over Ipswich last week, securing a dramatic injury-time winner. This victory has put them one point ahead of Fulham, but their away form remains a concern, with no points collected on the road so far this season (L4).
Despite taking the lead in their last three away matches, the Bees have struggled to hold onto their advantage.
However, this will be their first away fixture against a team not competing in Europe, which might provide them with a better chance of claiming their first-ever Monday night Premier League win on the road.
Key Players to Watch
Alex Iwobi (Fulham)
Iwobi has been effective in front of goal, with his last five goals all arriving after the 60th minute. His impact in the latter stages of games could be crucial if this match remains tight and Fulham need a late push to secure points.
Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
Mbeumo has been in excellent form, with only Erling Haaland scoring more Premier League goals than him this season (eight).
The forward has shown a knack for delivering in London derbies, scoring 11 goals in his last 13 derby appearances, including two goals at Craven Cottage last season.
Tactical Insights: Fulham’s Home Defense vs Brentford’s Persistent Attack
Fulham will look to tighten up defensively at home, using their improved Craven Cottage form as a foundation. Marco Silva’s side will need to be mindful of Brentford’s offensive threats, especially considering Mbeumo’s recent scoring spree in London derbies.
Brentford’s challenge will be in maintaining composure and closing out the game if they take the lead, as they have let too many opportunities slip on the road.
With Mbeumo in fine form, Brentford’s attack has the potential to cause problems, but they’ll need a solid defensive performance to secure their first road points of the season.
Final Thoughts
This London derby is a clash of two teams with a similar story this season: both have found ways to take the lead but struggle to hold onto it.
Fulham will hope to maintain their strong home form, while Brentford are eager to end their away drought. With players like Iwobi and Mbeumo in form, this could be an exciting matchup with the potential for late drama.
Will Fulham secure a much-needed home win, or can Brentford finally break their away curse?
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Fulham v Brentford, 2024/25 | Premier League