Fulham vs Nottingham Forest Preview
- Draw or Forest win
- Both teams to score
Fulham and Nottingham Forest meet in a highly anticipated Premier League clash, with both teams eyeing European qualification.
Marco Silva’s Fulham come into this fixture off the back of a 2-1 FA Cup win over Wigan, while Nottingham Forest stunned Brighton 7-0 in their last league match, continuing their remarkable push for a top-four finish.
Fulham: Aiming to Stay in the European Race
Fulham’s season continues to impress, with the Cottagers currently sitting ninth in the table. Their 2-1 away win over Newcastle last weekend showcased their ability to compete with top-half teams, and a win here could push them closer to the European spots.
Fulham also boast a strong record against Nottingham Forest, having won four of their last five Premier League meetings (L1). Given that they’ve also won nine of their last 12 league meetings with the Tricky Trees (L3), confidence will be high at Craven Cottage.
Recent Form (Last Five Matches in All Competitions)
- Fulham 2-1 Wigan (FA Cup) – W
- Newcastle 1-2 Fulham (Premier League) – W
- Fulham 0-0 Wolves (Premier League) – D
- Bournemouth 3-1 Fulham (Premier League) – L
- Fulham 3-1 Chelsea (Premier League) – W
Why Fulham Can Win
- Strong home form: They have lost just two of their last nine matches at Craven Cottage.
- Impressive H2H record: Won four of their last five against Forest.
- Raúl Jiménez’s home form: Eight of his 11 competitive goals this season have come at home.
Key Player: Raúl Jiménez
The Mexican striker has been prolific at home, with four goals in three previous H2Hs against Forest. His physicality and finishing ability will be crucial in breaking down the visitors’ defence.
Nottingham Forest: Aiming to Stay in the Top Four Race
Forest’s 7-0 demolition of Brighton last time out was their biggest league win since 1991, and their eighth win in ten league matches (D1, L1). This incredible run has propelled them to third in the table, putting them firmly in contention for a Champions League spot.
Despite needing a penalty shootout to beat Exeter City in the FA Cup midweek, their league form has been nothing short of spectacular.
If they win this match, they will hit the 50-point mark, a remarkable achievement given they failed to reach 40 points in their last two Premier League seasons.
Recent Form (Last Five Matches in All Competitions)
- Exeter 2-2 Nottingham Forest (FA Cup – Forest won on penalties) – W
- Nottingham Forest 7-0 Brighton (Premier League) – W
- West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest (Premier League) – W
- Nottingham Forest 2-1 Tottenham (Premier League) – W
- Liverpool 2-0 Nottingham Forest (Premier League) – L
Why Forest Can Win
- Exceptional league form: Won eight of their last ten Premier League matches.
- Incredible attacking display: Scored 15 goals in their last five league games.
- Chris Wood’s red-hot form: 17 Premier League goals, only behind Salah (21) and Haaland (19).
Key Player: Chris Wood
Wood has been one of the league’s most consistent scorers, netting 17 goals this season, including nine match-openers. His aerial ability and finishing make him a major threat to Fulham’s backline.
Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Meetings in All Competitions)
- 06/12/24 – Nottingham Forest 0-1 Fulham (Premier League)
- 24/02/23 – Fulham 2-0 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- 16/09/22 – Nottingham Forest 2-3 Fulham (Premier League)
- 26/04/22 – Fulham 0-1 Nottingham Forest (Championship)
- 24/10/21 – Nottingham Forest 0-4 Fulham (Championship)
Key Trends
- Fulham have won four of the last five league meetings against Forest.
- Forest have failed to score in three of their last five visits to Craven Cottage.
- The reverse fixture ended in a narrow 1-0 win for Fulham at the City Ground.
Tactical Insights
Fulham’s Approach
- Control possession and dictate the tempo at home.
- Use width effectively to exploit Forest’s full-backs.
- Press high up the pitch to unsettle Forest’s build-up play.
Forest’s Strategy
- Defend compactly and hit on the counter-attack.
- Use Chris Wood’s aerial ability to cause problems from set-pieces.
- Target Fulham’s full-backs with Elanga and Gibbs-White’s movement.
Prediction and Final Thoughts
With both teams in good form, this should be an exciting contest. Fulham’s home advantage and strong record against Forest make them slight favourites, but Forest’s recent dominance in the league cannot be ignored. Expect an intense battle with goals at both ends.
Predicted Scoreline: Fulham 2-2 Nottingham Forest
- Jiménez and Wood to be the main goal threats.
- Fulham’s home form vs Forest’s attacking power makes this a balanced contest.
- A draw would be a fair result in what should be a thrilling encounter.
Conclusion
Fulham will aim to keep their European hopes alive, while Forest will look to strengthen their Champions League push. Both teams have strong attacking options, meaning this could be a high-scoring, entertaining affair at Craven Cottage.
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Fulham v Nottm Forest, 2024/25 | Premier League