Fulham vs Burnley – News and Probable Lineups

Fulham, still aiming for a spot in European competition, hosts Burnley, who are under the threat of relegation, at Craven Cottage for a Premier League match this Saturday afternoon.

Marco Silva’s squad aims to achieve their first league double over the Clarets since the 1950-51 season, following a 3-2 win in the earlier match at Turf Moor in December.

Match overview

Having finished 11th in the previous Premier League season, Fulham currently holds the same position after 30 matches this term, accumulating 41 points from 12 victories, a league-low five draws, and 13 losses.

The Cottagers are keen to snap a three-match winless streak across all competitions. Following two consecutive 1-0 defeats at home to West Ham and Southampton (FA Cup), they managed a goalless draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground last weekend, achieving just one shot on target from six attempts.

Recently, Fulham has struggled with their finishing, and the last time Marco Silva’s squad went three Premier League matches without scoring was in December 2023, a stretch that included a 2-0 home defeat to Burnley.

However, the West London outfit can take solace in their record against promoted teams, losing only one of their last 14 Premier League encounters (W8 D5), the sole defeat being a 1-0 loss at Leeds in January. They have gathered over 63% of their top-flight points at Craven Cottage this season (26/41).

Despite this, Fulham has only managed one win in their last five home fixtures against Burnley in all competitions, having lost the last three by a total scoreline of 7-0 since their 4-2 Premier League win in August 2018.

Since a crucial 3-2 Premier League win against Crystal Palace in mid-February, Burnley has been unable to clinch a victory in their last five outings in all competitions, having exited the FA Cup fifth round to third-tier Mansfield, followed by two draws and two defeats in the league.

The Clarets can take some positives from their draws against top-10 teams Chelsea and Bournemouth, managing a goalless tie with the Cherries at Turf Moor last weekend, but Scott Parker’s team is in dire need of wins to avoid relegation.

With just eight fixtures left, Burnley sits 19th in the Premier League, eight points away from safety. Four of their next five matches will be against teams currently in the lower half of the table, and failing to capitalize during this stretch could seal their relegation.

A record of three away wins in their last four league encounters at Fulham is promising ahead of Saturday’s match, whereas four of the ten points they’ve earned in their last 21 Premier League games have come against London clubs (three at Palace, one at Chelsea).

Nonetheless, Burnley’s defensive form away from home is concerning, having achieved just one clean sheet in their last 41 Premier League away matches and conceding in their last 25 since that 2-0 victory against Fulham over two years ago.

Team News

Fulham winger Kevin will be out for an extended period following surgery for a foot injury earlier this month, and Emile Smith Rowe (knock) will be evaluated after missing the recent draw with Bournemouth.

If he is fit, Smith Rowe may compete with Joshua King for a starting position in the number 10 role behind striker Raul Jimenez, who has not scored in his last three encounters against Burnley after netting three times in his first four meetings during his time at Wolves.

Star forward Harry Wilson – Fulham’s leading scorer in the league this season with nine goals – scored and provided two assists during the 3-2 win over Burnley in December, and the Welshman is likely to continue on the right wing on Saturday, while January recruit Oscar Bobb will be hoping to fend off competition from Samuel Chukwueze for a position on the left side.

As for Burnley, Josh Cullen, Zeki Amdouni (both knee), Axel Tuanzebe, Connor Roberts (both Achilles), and Jordânia Beyer (hamstring) will all miss out due to injury, while Saturday’s match may be too soon for Mike Tresor (ankle), despite his return to training.

Maxime Esteve’s fitness will be checked after illness hindered him from finishing the last match against Bournemouth. Should he be fit, the defender is expected to slot in alongside Josh Laurent and Bashir Humphreys in a back three.

The midfield duo of Lesley Ugochukwu and Florentino Luis will be hoping to break back into the starting XI at the expense of James Ward-Prowse and Hannibal Mejbi, while Zian Flemming and Jaidon Anthony – the team’s top scorers with seven league goals each this season – are set to retain their attacking roles.

Fulham probable starting XI:

Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi; Wilson, King, Bobb; Jimenez

Burnley probable starting XI:

Dubravka; Humphreys, Laurent, Esteve; Walker, Ugochukwu, Hannibal, Hartman; Anthony, Foster; Flemming

Burnley has had relatively positive experiences at Craven Cottage in the past and will likely feel confident about their chances of achieving a favorable result – ideally a win – against a Fulham team that has seen a slight downturn in form.

Nevertheless, a response is anticipated from Silva’s squad this weekend, and a Wilson-inspired side should manage to secure a win, potentially achieving a clean sheet in the process.