Newly promoted Fulham host a jubilant Brentford side this Saturday as both clubs look to maintain their unbeaten run moving further into the season. Having gained significant results in consecutive game-weeks hitherto, the hosts will be looking to secure their first victory of the campaign whilst the visitors will be keen on building on their marvellous result against Manchester United last weekend.
An excellent display against Liverpool on the opening weekend followed by a decent result against Wolverhampton Wanderers has seen Fulham secure two crucial points ahead of the tie against Brentford. Having significantly strengthened the squad in a bid to avoid relegation this season, the Cottagers will be keen on picking up their first three points of the campaign this Saturday, with manager Marco Silva expected to continue deploying a proactive approach to games over the coming weeks.
Following a disappointing draw against Leicester City, a formidable 4-0 victory over Manchester United saw Brentford deliver a commendable account of themselves last weekend. Expected to challenge for a place in the top half of the league table, the Bees will be looking to gain consistent points moving into a favourable string of fixtures over the coming weeks.
When & Where?
Venue: Craven Cottage.
Date: Saturday, 20th August 2022.
Time: 15:00 BST.
Match Officials
Referee: Peter Bankes.
Assistant Referees: Eddie Smart, Nick Greenhaigh.
Fourth Official: Dean Whitestone.
VAR Official: David Coote.
Team News
Fulham
Manor Solomon is the latest name on the injury list for Fulham, with the 23-year-old expected to undergo knee surgery having sustained an injury in training. Only having arrived at Fulham this summer, Solomon is likely to undergo an extended period on the sidelines, with the club yet to reveal the player’s estimated period of rehabilitation.
Winger Harry Wilson continues to remain on the sidelines, with the winger expected to close to 10 games at the start of the campaign, although he is expected to return to action before Solomon. New signing Andreas Periera, too, suffered an injury against Wolves last weekend, although the manager is yet to provide an update on his potential involvement against Brentford. Winger Bobby Decordova-Reid is another player to have picked up a knock, although the winger is expected to make the starting line-up this weekend, with the manager having downplayed the possibility of a severe injury. Left-back Joe Bryan continues to nurse a metacarpal fracture whilst new signing Bernd Leno is expected to start on the bench, with Marek Rodak, having kept a clean sheet against Wolves last weekend.
Brentford
Centre-back Ethan Pinnock continues to remain on the sidelines due to injury whilst the likes of Sergi Canos and Kristoffer Ajer are expected to fully recover from their hamstring injuries over the next couple of weeks.
Having cruised towards a victory against United last weekend, manager Thomas Frank is expected to deploy an unchanged line-up against Fulham with the team expected to aim for nothing but three points this Saturday.
Match Analysis
Unbeaten in two games heading into the fixture, both clubs will be keen on continuing to build on the momentum moving further into the season. With either side expected to employ a proactive approach, Saturday’s match-up could provide for a thrilling watch amidst the goal rush.
Having shown a refreshing blend of quality and application in their performances hitherto, Fulham will be looking to secure a positive result on Saturday. Expected to employ a long-ball approach whilst exploiting spaces within the middle-third of the pitch during transition, the hosts will be looking to avoid Brentford’s high-press whilst relying on their wingers to stretch the opposition on Saturday. Moreover, with the visitors expected to make the best use of their set-piece opportunities, the hosts will be keen on nullifying the same whilst working on solutions to counter their progression in possession at the weekend.
On the other hand, fresh from a dominating performance against United, Brentford are likely to emerge as favourites for three points on Saturday. Expected to deploy an approach nullifying the home side’s creative prowess down the flanks and central areas in the attacking third, Brentford are likely to maximise their potential through the central areas of the pitch before utilising their wingers and full-backs in overloading the wide areas in possession on Saturday. With their forwards likely to test the opposition’s centre-backs, the Bees will be to emerge as the dominant side for the majority of the 90 minutes against Fulham.
Key Players
Aleksandar Mitrovic – Fulham
Fulham’s focal point in attack, Mitrovic will be hoping to test the opposition’s backline on Saturday. Having netted two goals against Liverpool on the opening weekend, the Serbian striker will be keen on imposing his presence across the attacking third whilst making the best of goal-scoring opportunities against Brentford. With the hosts expected to attack through both the flanks and the central areas, Mitrovic is likely to be involved in the build-up play on Saturday.
Ivan Toney – Brentford
Having been effective in his defensive duties out of possession last weekend, Toney will be keen on continuing to impact his team’s prospects moving into the campaign. Besides the ability to contribute to the score-sheet, the striker’s work rate combined with his physical imposition will be vital to the visitors’ potential to secure a positive result this weekend.
Predicted Line-Ups
Fulham (4-2-3-1) – Marek Rodak; Kevin Mbabu, Tosin Adarabioyo, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Harrison Reed, Joao Palhinha; Bobby Decordova-Reid, Andreas Pereira, Neeskens Kebano; Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Brentford (4-3-3) – David Raya; Aaron Hickey, Pontus Jansson, Ben Mee, Rico Henry; Josh Dasilva, Christian Norgaard, Mathias Jensen; Bryan Mbeumo, Ivan Toney, Yoane Wissa.
