Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker:
In what is a real west London derby this weekend, Fulham will welcome Brentford to Craven Cottage for what could be an enjoyable affair.
Fulham
Starting with the hosts, gaining a string of plaudits last season as they clinched an eye-catching top-half finish, Fulham are desperate to keep up a similar momentum this time around. Opening the 2023/24 campaign with another rugged performance on the road as they landed a gritty 1-0 victory against Everton, Marco Silva’s men will be desperate to lay down another marker on Saturday afternoon. However, knowing that they face a tough challenge when their west London rivals arrive this weekend, the one-time Everton boss will be hoping for his squad to find some much-needed stability on home soil. Signing off last season by winning just a pair of their last six Premier League showdowns, Fulham also failed to muster back-to-back top-flight victories at Craven Cottage since returning from the World Cup’s winter break.
Team News
Inching towards a bank-breaking move to Saudi Arabia this summer, attacking talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic is unlikely to play any part on Saturday afternoon. Making the move from Wolves this month on a permanent basis, Mexican international Raul Jimenez should once again spearhead Silva’s attack at Craven Cottage this weekend.
However, sustaining a shoulder injury while on pre-season duties, Fulham will be unable to call upon midfield talisman Joao Palhinha here. Coming off the bench and bagging the winner away at Everton last weekend, Bobby De Cordova-Reid could be handed a full recall.
Brentford
As for the visitors, while Brentford might have been heartbroken after missing out on a famous European ticket last season, the Bees have only continued to gain a string of plaudits. Opening the 2023/24 campaign with an action-packed 2-2 draw at home against Tottenham, Thomas Frank’s men are riding what has been a continued wave of momentum. Clinching back-to-back Premier League victories against history-makers Manchester City last season, it should also be noted that Saturday’s guests secured maximum points in five of their final six top-flight contests. Continuing to shine with their free-scoring performances in the final third, Brentford will also be excited by their most recent Premier League showdown against their west London rivals. Claiming a 3-2 victory when they welcomed Fulham across the capital back on March 6th, Frank will be desperate for his side to produce a repeat performance this weekend.
Team News
Unable to call upon attacking talisman Ivan Toney until the New Year, Brentford will once again be without the England international at Craven Cottage. Finding the net in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at home against Tottenham, 26-year-old Yoane Wissa will once again spearhead Frank’s attack on Saturday afternoon.
Dealing with a summer hamstring issue, the Bees will travel across west London without Frank Onyeka here. Making his full Brentford debut last weekend, former Freiburg shot-stopper Mark Flekken will once again start between the sticks.
Key Factors to Consider
