Fulham Match Preview
West Ham United started February by completing the double over Aston Villa on Wednesday night and they are back on the road on Saturday, where they will be looking to do the same as they face a London derby and travel to Craven Cottage to take on newly-promoted Fulham.
The Hammers claimed all three points in the reverse fixture back in November and will be hoping to claim back-to-back away victories. It may only be February, but if they achieve that aim, then they will lift themselves past the 40 point mark.
West Ham have a 100% record when playing the top-flight newcomers this season as they have so far won all three encounters. They will certainly hope that particular record will continue against Scott Parker’s men who currently occupy eighteenth place in the Premier League table.
Both teams played on Wednesday night but David Moyes’ side go into the game with momentum behind them, having performed impressively against Dean Smith’s men, whereas the hosts lost 2-0 to Leicester City here and they will be wanting to try and get that defeat out of their minds.
A win for the visitors would be their seventh success away from Stratford this season which is quite a remarkable feat, given that they only achieved four in the entirety of the last campaign.
Ryan Fredericks started the match at Villa Park three days ago and will be desperate to retain his place, as he missed both encounters with his former club during the 2018/19 campaign due to injury. If Moyes decides to make changes, then Pablo Fornals could be restored to the starting line-up.
After a brace on his debut, Jesse Lingard is again in contention. This may be bad news for Jarrod Bowen as if it happens, then the former Hull City winger will have to settle for another stint on the bench.
Mark Noble didn’t even make the squad for the trip to Birmingham in midweek and he will be hoping to be involved here.
The match is a 5:30pm kick-off with live coverage being screened by Sky Sports from 5pm. The referee is Mike Dean.