West Ham vs Fulham Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have a London derby taking place over the festive weekend as West Ham United, desperate for a win, take on a Fulham side that have begun to find some form.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Peacock
West Ham preview: Improving Irons
West Ham United’s performance level has been improved of late, following the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo, but the gap between themselves and safety has been growing.
The Irons most recently suffered a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last weekend, meaning that they have drawn three and lost three of their last six matches.
Fulham preview: Improving Fulham
Fulham come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat of Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage on Monday evening, courtesy of a first-half stoppage-time penalty scored by Mexico international striker Raul Jimenez.
The Cottagers have been pushing themselves away from the bottom three and the relegation places of late, managing five victories in their last eight matches in the top-flight.
West Ham team news: A few issues
As ever, Nuno Espirito Santo refused to reveal too much in terms of injury and team news in his pre-match press conference but it is known that Oliver Scarles came off injured last week.
The versatile young defender is therefore now a doubt for this one, while Niclas Fullkrug has returned to partial training and so could be unavailable with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf away at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Areola; Mavropanos, Kilman, Todibo; Fernandes, Potts, Magassa, Walker-Peters; Summerville, Paqueta; Bowen
Unavailable: Fabianski (Injured), Wan-Bissaka (International duty), Diouf (International duty)
Questionable: Scarles (Injured), Fullkrug (Fitness)
Fulham team news: Wilson a doubt
Fulham head across the capital city plenty of their own absentees due to AFCON involvement with Nigeria internationals Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Samu Chukwueze all away with the Super Eagles.
As well as that, Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Muniz remain confirmed injury absentees for the visitors with Harry Wilson now a fresh injury doubt for the Cottagers.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Andersen, Diop, Castagne; Reed, Berge; King, Smith Rowe, Kevin; Jimenez
Unavailable: Sessegnon (Injured), Bassey (International duty), Iwobi (International duty), Chukwueze (Injured), Muniz (Injured)
Questionable: Wilson (Injured)
West Ham vs Fulham prediction
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Hammers earned back-to-back victories a couple of months ago and they were both entertaining wins against both Burnley and Newcastle United. They now face a Fulham side that themselves are also entertaining to watch, too, with an abundance of attacking personnel. West Ham are due a win and, with home advantage, will fancy themselves but it is unlikely to be straightforward.
West Ham vs Fulham tip: West Ham to win & both teams to score
