Fulham vs Brentford: Line-ups & Team News
The west London derby is upon us once again as Fulham host Brentford at Craven Cottage. Both sides will be looking to continue their strong starts to the season, making this a crucial match for both clubs. Here's everything you need to know about the line-ups and team news ahead of the clash.
Fulham Team News
Marco Silva's side are riding high after a convincing victory over Arsenal last week. They'll be hoping to maintain their momentum and continue their impressive home form. However, Fulham will be without the injured Carlos Vinicius and Andreas Pereira, while the availability of Layvin Kurzawa remains in doubt.
Key Players to Watch:
- Aleksandar Mitrovic: The Serbian striker is Fulham's talisman and has already found the back of the net 5 times this season. Brentford will need to keep a close eye on him.
- Willian: The Brazilian winger has been a key player for Fulham, providing creativity and goals. His pace and dribbling ability will be a threat to Brentford's defense.
- Joao Palhinha: The Portuguese midfielder anchors Fulham's midfield and is crucial in both attack and defense. He'll be looking to dictate the tempo of the game.
Potential Starting XI:
- GK: Bernd Leno
- RB: Kenny Tete
- CB: Issa Diop
- CB: Tim Ream
- LB: Antonee Robinson
- CM: Joao Palhinha
- CM: Harrison Reed
- RW: Willian
- AM: Bobby De Cordova-Reid
- LW: Manor Solomon
- ST: Aleksandar Mitrovic
Brentford Team News
Thomas Frank's Bees are coming off a disappointing draw with Newcastle, but will be looking to bounce back against their rivals. They'll be without the injured Kristoffer Ajer and Thomas Strakosha, while Bryan Mbeumo is a doubt.
Key Players to Watch:
- Ivan Toney: The prolific striker is a constant threat and is sure to be a focal point for Brentford.
- Yoane Wissa: The winger has been in good form this season, scoring goals and creating chances. He'll be looking to exploit any weaknesses in Fulham's defense.
- Christian Norgaard: The Danish midfielder is a key figure in Brentford's midfield, controlling the game and breaking up play.
Potential Starting XI:
- GK: David Raya
- RB: Rico Henry
- CB: Ben Mee
- CB: Ethan Pinnock
- LB: Mads Roerslev
- CM: Christian Norgaard
- CM: Josh Dasilva
- RW: Mathias Jensen
- AM: Vitaly Janelt
- LW: Yoane Wissa
- ST: Ivan Toney
Match Predictions:
This match promises to be a close and exciting encounter between two evenly matched teams. Both sides have strong attacking options and will be looking to exploit their opponent's weaknesses. While Fulham have home advantage, Brentford's recent away form suggests this match could go either way.
Key factors to consider:
- Fulham's home form: The Cottagers have been formidable at Craven Cottage this season.
- Brentford's attacking threat: The Bees possess a potent attacking force, led by Ivan Toney.
- Midfield battle: The battle in the middle of the park could prove decisive in determining the outcome.
Expect a tense, high-scoring affair, with both teams pushing hard for victory. The winner will take a significant step towards securing a top-half finish.