Premier League: Fulham will test Forest’s Champions League Credentials

Fulham vs Nottingham Forest

Ninth hosts third in a fascinating clash at Craven Cottage on Saturday when Premier League: Fulham vs Nottingham Forest takes centre stage. 

Two of Portugal’s most successful managers, Marco Silva and Nuno Espirito Santo come face to face in a match with plenty at stake. Nuno’s Forest continue to be the surprise package in European football, and they sit three points behind second placed Arsenal and four ahead of Chelsea in fourth. With almost two thirds of the league season completed this is not flash in the pan and the East Midlanders have their eyes on a top four finish. Meanwhile the Cottagers are within four or five points of a European place and, with only six defeats this season they have one more than Forest and one fewer than Manchester City!

If Silva’s men can turn draws into wins then seventh place is certainly not out of reach.        

Both teams were in cup action last week and Fulham safely navigated their FA cup tie against Wigan while Forest made it to the fifth round too, but it took extra time and penalties for Nuno’s team to see off third tier Exeter City. 

 

Talking Points

Muniz makes his case for Fulham

Silva was presented with a nice problem last weekend when Rodrigo Muniz scored a superb brace as the Cottagers overcame a tricky task to beat Wigan Athletic 2-1. On his return from a loan at Middlesbrough the Brazilian striker played a key role last season, but this term he has been kept out of the side by the in-form Raul Jimenez, who has scored nine goals in the league. The Mexican is a bigger unit at 6ft 3in and a fine finisher though Muniz, at 23 years of age has ten years on his rival, and more pace.

Jimenez has started 19 of Fulham’s 24 league games and will be difficult to dislodge, but Muniz has certainly given his head coach a reminder and an option from the bench, if he doesn’t make a start against Forest: “Great competition between him and Raul. It is always good to have two strikers scoring important goals for us,” said Silva, adding: “When you have a chance to start, you have to step in. And he did it.” Both strikers scored when the Cottagers’ European hopes received a timely boost in a 2-1 win over Newcastle United last time out.

In terms of supply the Cottagers have received a blow with the news that winger Harry Wilson will be out for a few months with a metatarsal injury sustained in a recent 1-0 loss to Manchester United. Alex Iwobi remains a key figure on the flank and wingback

Antonee Robinson made it ten assists for the season against the Magpies… so the ammunition for the Fulham strikers will be ready.

 

Can Forest go all the way?

Forest’s 7-0 destruction of Brighton was a real statement victory; a thumping performance against any top flight club is impressive, but against a Europe hopeful it really made a case for Forest’s top four claims. Champions of Europe way back in the 1970s it would be the first time many Nottingham fans have seen European football but, if they can hold it together then this could be their year.    

As a Burnley fan this SBOTOP writer watched Chris Wood bang out double figures season after season in the Premier League for the Clarets, but he now has an incredible 17 goals after he plundered a hat-trick against the hapless Seagulls. And this is a team with plenty of flair going forward with attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, the club’s record signing, captaining the side and the speedy Anthony Elanga making three assists against Brighton. With the marauding centre back Murillo running the defence this is an exciting side to watch at its best, but the difficulty in beating third tier Exeter City suggests that strength in depth is not all it might be.

Forest lost their last away league game, 5-0 to Bournemouth, and this is another test of Nuno’s team. Pass it and they can carry on dreaming.           

 

History

The Cottagers have been strong in the head to head Fulham vs Nottingham Forest results winning 13 of their 22 meetings with Forest this century, including a 1-0 victory at the City Ground early in the season as Jimenez scored the winner from the penalty spot. 

Fulham have won four and lost two of their last six games while Forest have won four, drawn one and lost one and, with four wins, five draws and three defeats the Cottages have been inconsistent at home.  

 

Betting Tip

The Fulham vs Nottingham Forest betting odds say we’re in for a cracker at the Cottage with Fulham the favourites at 2.16 to win, the draw at 2.97 and Forest priced at 3.02 to pick up all three points. I’m edging towards the Cottagers but I’m confident the attacks will dominate this match.

   

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