Match Preview: West Ham vs Fulham (Premier League)

Fixture: West Ham United vs Fulham

Date: Tuesday, 14 January 2025

Kickoff Time: 19:30 GMT

Venue: London Stadium, London

West Ham United and Fulham face off in a London derby as both teams seek to find stability in their campaigns. Graham Potter, recently appointed as West Ham’s manager, is tasked with instilling a consistent style of play, while Marco Silva’s Fulham aim to turn their unbeaten streak into more decisive results. This match promises an exciting tactical clash with both sides eager for points.

Recent Form (Last 5 Matches):

• Loss: Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham
• Loss: Manchester City 4–1 West Ham United
• Loss: West Ham United 0–5 Liverpool
• Win: Southampton 0–1 West Ham United
• Draw: West Ham United 1–1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Key Insight: West Ham have struggled for consistency, with heavy defeats to City and Liverpool exposing defensive vulnerabilities. However, their victory over Southampton and two gritty draws show signs of resilience under new management.

Recent Form (Last 5 Matches):

• Win: Fulham 4-1 Watford
• Draw: Fulham 2–2 Ipswich Town
• Draw: Fulham 2–2 Bournemouth
• Win: Chelsea 1–2 Fulham
• Draw: Fulham 0–0 Southampton

Key Insight: Fulham’s five-match unbeaten run reflects their defensive organisation and tenacity. However, three draws in this stretch highlight their struggle to convert matches into wins, despite their impressive result against Chelsea.

• Jarrod Bowen: Foot injury (Expected return: Early March 2025).
• Michail Antonio: Broken leg (Expected return: Early May 2025).
• Emerson: Physical discomfort (Doubtful).
• Lukasz Fabianski: Head injury (Expected return: Mid-January 2025).
  

• Harrison Reed: Knee injury (Doubtful).
• Kenny Tete: Knee injury (Expected return: Late February 2025).
• Reiss Nelson: Hamstring injury (Expected return: Mid-February 2025).
• Sander Berge: Ankle injury (Doubtful).
  

Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola
Defenders: Coufal, Mavropanos, Kilman, Wan-Bissaka
Midfielders: Alvarez, Soler; Kudus, Soucek, Paqueta
Forward: Danny Ings

Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno
Defenders: Castagne, Diop, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson
Midfielders:  Lukic, Cairney
Forwards: Alex Iwobi, Raúl Jiménez, Harry Wilson

Graham Potter’s philosophy emphasises possession-based football, and key players like Paquetá and Kudus will drive creativity in attack. Defensively, they must address recent issues with organisation and transitions. Álvarez will anchor the midfield, providing defensive stability.

Strengths:

• Creative and technical midfielders.
• Versatility in attack with Kudus and Summerville.

Weaknesses:

• Defensive inconsistency.
• Reliance on Danny Ings for goals in Bowen and Antonio’s absence.
  

Marco Silva’s Fulham rely on pace and width in attack, with Iwobi and Wilson exploiting the flanks. Palhinha’s midfield dominance and Jiménez’s physicality offer a strong central presence. Their challenge will be converting possession into clear chances.

Strengths:

• Dynamic wide players.
• Solid defensive midfield presence with Palhinha.

Weaknesses:

• Vulnerable to set-pieces.
• Lack of clinical finishing
  

West Ham will look to dictate the game through possession, using their midfield creativity to unlock Fulham’s defence. Fulham’s counter-attacking style and pace on the flanks could cause problems, especially against a West Ham side that struggles with transitions. Both teams have shown defensive weaknesses, which could lead to a high-scoring affair.

A competitive London derby with goals at both ends. West Ham’s home advantage and Fulham’s unbeaten form suggest a tightly contested match. A draw seems the most likely outcome.

Predicted Scoreline: West Ham United 2–2 Fulham

• Both Teams to Score: Yes
• Over 2.5 Goals: Yes
• Result: Draw

This match marks Graham Potter’s return to Premier League management. Known for his adaptability and tactical ingenuity, Potter will look to revitalise West Ham as they transition into his possession-based system.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.