Fulham vs Brentford Preview: Team News & Prediction
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In an early season that has seen plenty of London derbies, we now have a clash in the west of the city as Fulham welcome local rivals Brentford to Craven Cottage this week.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Universo
Fulham preview: Unconvincing Cottagers
Fulham come into this one on the back of a slender and unconvincing victory against Leeds United in which the Cottagers benefitted from a remarkable 94th minute own goal scored by Sweden international left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Marco Silva’s side have risked stagnation with the Portuguese coach surprisingly still at the club. They were underwhelming in the first month of the season but will hope some late summer transfer window business will give them a major boost.
Brentford preview: Buzzing Bees
Over the summer, Keith Andrews was given his first managerial role after being Brentford’s set-piece coach due to Thomas Frank’s departure to Tottenham Hotspur. Key men Mark Flekken, Christian Norgaard, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa also left.
Despite that overhaul, Brentford have actually started the season with some good performances since a 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on the opening day. They most recently shared a 2-2 draw with Chelsea at the Gtech Community Stadium last week.
Fulham team news: Nothing fresh
As has often been the case for Fulham in the last couple of seasons, Fulham head into a Premier League match day with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues.
Their one concern, Alex Iwobi, has returned to training and could be involved. The biggest point of interest will be whether club-record signing Kevin gets to start for the Cottagers.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Kevin, Smith Rowe, Sessegnon; Jimenez
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Brentford team news: Positive news on quartet
In his pre-match press conference, Keith Andrews has confirmed that Ethan Pinnock and Kristoffer Ajer will both be fit and available alongside midfielder Jordan Henderson and attacker Igor Thiago.
As well as that, winger Gustavo Nunes is building his fitness back up and has returned to the grass alongside former Bolton Wanderers loanee Paris Maghoma.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Henry; Henderson, Yarmolyuk; Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago
Unavailable: Maghoma (Fitness), Nunes (Fitness)
Questionable:
Fulham vs Brentford prediction
In this corresponding fixture last season in the autumn, Fulham were behind until second-half stoppage-time before substitute Harry Wilson scored a spectacular match-winning brace. That was a calmer and more cautious contest than usual, with both sides actually often playing on the front foot quite a lot in the past and producing some entertaining clashes. Fulham appear due to click in the final third with club-record signing Kevin now in the mix, whilst Brentford have a range of threats and so both teams scoring seems a good shout.
Fulham vs Brentford tip: Both teams to score
