Fulham are riding a wave of continued momentum ahead of their final game of 2024 against Bournemouth.
The Cottagers enter Sunday's game in high spirits after achieving a historic win in Chelsea On boxing day. Rodrigo Muniz scored in the final to give Fulham their first win at Stamford Bridge in 45 years.
“This will be one of the best days of boxing for the fans in the last 50 years,” manager Marco Silva happily confirmed after the match, as his side rose to eighth in the table.
Fulham, like their next rivals, are currently unbeaten in six games, and will usurp sixth-placed Bournemouth with a home win.
The Cherries' Boxing Day venture was not exactly jubilant as they played to a somewhat stalemate with Crystal Palace in Vitality. However, Bournemouth supporters don't have much to complain about given what their team has already accomplished this season.
These two teams, given their start to the season, should have real aspirations of securing European football for the 2025/26 season.
here 90 minutes Evidence of this Premier League clash.
Fulham vs Bournemouth H2H record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Fulham |
Bournemouth |
|---|---|
|
Chelsea 1-2 Fulham – 12/26/24 |
Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace – 12/26/24 |
|
Fulham 0-0 Southampton – 12/22/24 |
Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth – 12/22/24 |
|
Liverpool 2-2 Fulham – 12/14/24 |
Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham – 12/16/24 |
|
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal – 12/08/24 |
Ipswich 1-2 Bournemouth – 12/08/24 |
|
Fulham 3-1 Brighton – 12/05/24 |
Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham – 12/06/24 |
|
nation |
TV Channel/Live Broadcast |
|---|---|
|
UK |
Not televised |
|
US |
peacock |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 7 Canada |
Fulham are without several key players for the visit of Bournemouth, including Anthony Robinson, who has arguably been the standout left-back in the Premier League this season. Robinson was suspended after picking up his fifth league booking on Boxing Day.
With Timothy Castagne appointed to replace the injured Kenny Tete at right-back, Calvin Bassey is likely to replace the USMNT star.
The home team is also missing Sander Berge due to an ankle injury, while Reiss Nelson is absent for a short period due to a hamstring problem. Emile Smith Rowe is doubtful for a knock, but there could be a return to the matchday squad for Harrison Reed.
Fulham's expected lineup against Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Lino; Castagne, Diop, Andersen, Bassi; Lukic, Cairne; Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz.
Bournemouth also have a player suspended on Sunday. The visitors will be without penalty maestro Justin Kluivert due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Adam Smith is the latest addition to a fairly extensive injury list, but the veteran right-back is only suffering a knock and could be available this weekend.
Marcus Tavernier is set to return from a hamstring injury in the new year, while Alex Scott and Luis Sinistra are both close to returning. Julian Araujo and Marcos Sinise have been waiting a long time to be ready and ready to fire again.
Bournemouth's expected lineup against Fulham (4-2-3-1): Kiba; Aarons, Zabarny, Huysen, Kerkes; Adams, Cook. Semenyu, Billinge, Ouattara; Evanelson.
This should be an interesting match between two of the division's teams, although both managers will have to adapt to the absence of several players.
Fulham have adapted well at Stamford Bridge given their injury list, with Marco Silva's appreciation for balance paving the way to a historic victory. He has coached superbly this season, and the touchline battle with Andoni Iraola will be crucial in determining the winner on Sunday.
Without Tavernier and Kluivert, Bournemouth have lost some of their dynamism and guile, although the return of Evanilson to the starting line-up would provide a rebound from the muted stalemate on Boxing Day.
The battle for control here may not be won between two equal parties, and the sharing of the spoils seems fair.
