West Ham v Fulham: In-Form Hammers Host Goal-Shy Cottagers

Ranieri’s men are in dire danger of making this year merely a one-season stopover with relegation back to the Championship a real possibility.

A tough run-in of fixtures over the last month has seen Fulham come out battered and bruised. Last weekend saw them beaten comprehensively at the hands of Man United – a game that would’ve done little to boost the fragile defence’s confidence.

Some positives come from the news that goalkeeper Sergio Rico, on loan from Sevilla, would like to “play Premier League Football next year with Fulham” – however for that to become possible, the Cottagers must make up an 8 point gap with 17th placed Cardiff.

January saw a small amount of activity in West London, with former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel arriving from Besiktas, in addition to Lazar Markovic and Havard Nordtveit on a free and a loan respectively. The latter pair is in contention to make their debuts against the Hammers, with defender Nordtveit a badly needed recruit for Ranieri.

This Fulham team is still badly in need of goals, having only managed a paltry 25 all season. Despite playing free-flowing, attacking football last season and scoring goals for fun, things have been markedly different.

Fulham will hope that starting with this fixture, the misfiring forward line lead by burly Aleksandar Mitrovic can deliver.

Last 5 Games Results (Most Recent First): L-L-W-L-L

Expected Lineup:

Rico; Odoi, Le Marchand, Nordtveit, Bryan; Seri, Chambers; Schurrle, Vietto, Babel; Mitrovic

Details:

Venue: London Stadium
Date and Time: Friday 22 February 2019, 7.45pm GMT

London Derby Prediction: West Ham 2 – 1 Fulham