Fulham vs Crystal Palace Preview
Fulham are currently three points ahead of Crystal Palace in the Premier League standings, but their recent form has been concerning.
With just one win in their last five league games (D1, L3), the Cottagers have already lost 16 matches this season, matching their total defeats from the entire last campaign. Manager Marco Silva needs a strong finish to secure consecutive top-ten finishes for the first time since 2011/12.
Despite the recent dip, Fulham’s form at Craven Cottage has been mostly positive, with nine wins from 17 home games this season (W9, L7).
Interestingly, they have only drawn once at home this term, indicating a propensity for decisive results. However, their head-to-head record against Crystal Palace at home is not encouraging, with two draws and two losses in the last four meetings.
Fulham‘s defence might need extra attention, having conceded twice in each of those encounters and four goals in their last two home fixtures.
Crystal Palace’s Resurgence
Crystal Palace enter this match on a high, having secured three consecutive league wins for the first time this season, the most recent being a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United.
With these wins, they have secured their Premier League safety, and there is growing optimism around the work of manager Olivier Glasner, who sees the current run as the start of a new journey for his team.
Palace’s winning streak began with a significant 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, ending a ten-match winless run on the road (D4, L6).
However, they will have to overcome a concerning trend in London derbies, as they have won just one of their last 19 away games against fellow capital clubs (D9, L9).
Players to Watch
For Fulham, Andreas Pereira could be the key player to watch. Two of his three Premier League goals this season were early openers, arriving in the first ten minutes, suggesting he could set the tone for the match.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze is another early scorer to watch, with four of his goals this season coming before the 20th minute.
With both teams aiming to finish the season on a high note, this match could be a pivotal clash. Fulham’s solid home record and Crystal Palace’s recent resurgence set the stage for an intriguing encounter.
Fulham’s defensive vulnerabilities and Crystal Palace’s recent clean sheets suggest a game where anything could happen.
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