Fulham are riding a relentless wave of momentum heading into their final game of 2024 against Bournemouth.
The Cottagers are in high spirits going into Sunday’s game after securing a historic win at Chelsea on christmas day Rodrigo Muniz struck in the last to give Fulham their first win at Stamford Bridge in 45 years.
“It’s going to be one of the best Boxing Days for the fans in the last 50 years,” manager Marco Silva beamed after the game, with his side climbing to eighth in the table.
Fulham, like their nearest rivals, are currently six games unbeaten and will usurp sixth place Bournemouth with a win at home.
The Cherries’ Boxing Day venture was not so euphoric as they had a rather dismal stalemate with Crystal Palace at the Vitality. However, Bournemouth fans have little to complain about given what their side have already achieved this term.
These two teams, given their respective starts to the season, must harbor genuine aspirations to secure European football for the 2025/26 season.
here it is 90 minutes guide for this Premier League shock
Fulham vs Bournemouth H2H Record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Fulham |
Bournemouth |
|---|---|
|
Chelsea 1-2 Fulham – 26/12/24 |
Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace – 26/12/24 |
|
Fulham 0-0 Southampton – 22/12/24 |
Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth – 22/12/24 |
|
Liverpool – Fulham 2-2 – 14/12/24 |
Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham – 16/12/24 |
|
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal – 08/12/24 |
Ipswich 1-2 Bournemouth – 24/12/08 |
|
Fulham – Brighton 3-1 – 05/12/24 |
Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham – 06/12/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
united kingdom |
Not televised |
|
united states |
peacock |
|
canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 7 Canada |
Fulham are without several key players for the visit of Bournemouth, including Antonee Robinson, who has arguably been the standout left-back in the Premier League this season. Robinson is suspended after picking up his fifth league booking on Christmas Day.
With Timothy Castagne filling in for the injured Kenny Tete at right back, Calvin Bassey will likely fill in for the USMNT star.
The hosts are also without Sander Berge with an ankle injury, while Reiss Nelson is sidelined with a hamstring problem. Emile Smith Rowe is a doubt with knock but there could be a return to the matchday squad for Harrison Reed.
Fulham’s predicted line-up against Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Diop, Andersen, Bassey; Lukic, Cairney; Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz
Bournemouth also have a player suspended on Sunday. The visitors will be without a penalty from the master Justin Kluivert for yellow card accumulation.
Adam Smith is the latest addition to a fairly extensive injury list, but the veteran right-back is only carrying one knock and could be available this weekend.
Marcus Tavernier will return from a hamstring injury in the new year, while Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra are closing in on their respective returns. Julian Araujo and Marcos Senesi have long waits until they are fit and firing again.
Bournemouth predicted line-up against Fulham (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Cook; Semenyo, Billing, Ouattara; Evanilson.
This should be an intriguing contest between two of the division’s form teams, although both managers will have to adapt and adjust with several players absent.
Fulham coped well at Stamford Bridge given their injury list, with Marco Silva’s poised appreciation setting the stage for a historic win. He has trained brilliantly this season, and the touchline battle with Andoni Iraola will be decisive in determining Sunday’s winner.
Without Tavernier and Kluivert, Bournemouth have lost some of their dynamism and guile, although Evanilson’s return to the XI should provide a lift from their quiet stagnation on Christmas Day.
The battle for control will never be won here between two evenly matched teams, and sharing the spoils only seems fair.
