West Ham vs Fulham Preview

• Fulham to win
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West Ham United host Fulham at the London Stadium as both sides return to Premier League action following contrasting fortunes in the FA Cup.

Graham Potter seeks his first league points as Hammers boss, while Fulham look to maintain their impressive unbeaten run and solidify their position in the top half.

West Ham: Potter’s Challenge Begins

Graham Potter’s tenure at West Ham got off to a rocky start with a 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa. The new manager now faces a significant challenge in the league, as the Hammers sit perilously close to the relegation zone.

Injuries to key forwards Niclas Füllkrug, Michail Antonio, and Jarrod Bowen leave Potter with a depleted attack and limited options up front.

Despite their struggles, West Ham have a strong home record against Fulham, winning eight and drawing three of the last 12 meetings. However, their London derby form this season has been dismal, with heavy defeats in their two previous home clashes against capital rivals.

Key Player to Watch

Lucas Paquetá: The Brazilian midfielder remains West Ham’s creative heartbeat and has scored four goals this season, three of which were the Hammers’ first in a match.

Fulham: A Team in Form

Marco Silva’s Fulham come into this match unbeaten in nine games across all competitions (W3, D6).

Fresh off a 4-1 FA Cup win over Watford, the Cottagers are riding high in confidence. Their attacking form has been particularly encouraging, scoring twice in each of their last three Premier League outings.

Fulham’s away record this season has been solid, with only Manchester City and Manchester United managing to beat them on the road. They also boast an impressive record in London derbies away from home, remaining unbeaten in such matches over the past year (W3, D2).

Key Player to Watch

Raúl Jiménez: The Mexican striker has rediscovered his scoring touch, netting four goals in Fulham’s last three matches, all of which came in the second half.

Head-to-Head Record

• Recent Form: West Ham have dominated this fixture historically, with eight wins in the last 12 home encounters. However, Fulham won their last visit to the London Stadium, 2-0 in April 2024.
• Last Meeting: Fulham secured a comfortable 2-0 win at home in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Tactical Insights and Key Battles

West Ham’s Midfield vs Fulham’s Defensive Structure

With Bowen and Antonio absent, West Ham’s creativity will rely heavily on Paquetá and Kudus. Fulham’s midfield, anchored by Pereira, will aim to neutralise these threats while allowing Harry Wilson to link defence and attack.

Fulham’s Attack vs West Ham’s Defence

Fulham’s ability to exploit the flanks, with Iwobi and Wilson providing width, could trouble West Ham’s full-backs. Jiménez’s movement in the box will test the Hammers’ central defence, especially in transition.

Set-Pieces

Both teams have shown effectiveness in set-piece situations this season, with Alvarez for West Ham and Pereira for Fulham being key providers.

Prediction: A Tight London Derby

West Ham’s injury woes and poor recent form make this a challenging fixture for Graham Potter. Fulham, buoyed by their unbeaten run and solid away record, will fancy their chances of earning at least a point.

Predicted Score: West Ham 1-2 Fulham

Final Thoughts

This London derby is a crucial encounter for both teams. West Ham need a positive result to lift spirits under their new manager, while Fulham will aim to continue their impressive form and climb higher in the Premier League standings. Expect a closely contested match with moments of quality deciding the outcome.

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West Ham v Fulham, 2024/25 | Premier League