Form
20/10/18 – Bournemouth 0-0 Southampton (PL)
06/10/18 – Watford 0-4 Bournemouth (PL)
01/10/18 – Bournemouth 2-1 Crystal Palace (PL)
25/9/18 – Bournemouth 3-2 Blackburn (LC)
22/9/10 – Burnley 0-4 Bournemouth (PL)
Tactics
Bournemouth have stuck rigidly to a 4-4-1-1/4-4-2 this season and their team still has a number of the players that guided them to promotion in 2015. The addition of Colombian midfielder Jefferson Lerma has given them a great deal more solidity in the midfield and the invention of David Brooks has been an interesting development in the progress of the Cherries so far this season. The high pressing and intensity of Eddie Howe’s system has been particularly evident this season, which has enabled the electric front two of Josh King and Callum Wilson to enjoy a very productive start in the league. As odd as it might be for Fulham fans to think about another team’s defensive vulnerabilities, Bournemouth showed their capacity for poor defensive shape in their recent 4-0 away defeat to Burnley.
Battle to Watch
Fraser vs Fosu Mensah: The diminutive Scotsman has been in fine form since the turn of the year and has tormented a fair few right backs already this season. As with the rest of the incredibly pacey and direct forward line, Fraser is a real danger and has been involved in the build-up to a lot of Bournemouth goals so far this season. If Fosu-Mensah can recover from injury in time for Saturday’s game then he will be majorly responsible for trying to close down the winger and will have to make sure he isn’t caught too far forward when joining in with Fulham’s attacks.
Danger Man
Seeing as all the strikers that have lined up against the Whites this season have looked supremely dangerous – it’s reasonable to expect that one of Bournemouth’s front duo could do the same on Saturday. Callum Wilson has been desperately unlucky with knee injuries after a fast start to Premier League life following Bournemouth’s promotion a few years back and has been a consistent presence in the line-up over the last 12 months. Blessed with great pace and dribbling ability, Wilson’s finishing has been clinical and may give us even more to worry about come 5pm on Saturday.
Last 5 Meetings
06/03/15 – Fulham 1-5 Bournemouth (C’Ship)
26/12/14 – Bournemouth 2-0 Fulham (C’Ship)
02/03/99 – Bournemouth 1-1 Fulham (Div2)
29/08/98 – Fulham 0-0 Bournemouth (Div2)
24/02/98 – Fulham 0-1 Bournemouth (Div2)
Head-to-Head
Fulham wins- 10
Draws 9
Bournemouth wins 12
Stats & Facts
- The clubs have met on 31 occasions in all competitions – Fulham have won 10, Bournemouth have won 12 and there have been 9 draws.
- However, 40% of Fulham’s victories have come in cup competitions; all 12 of Bournemouth’s were in the league.
- This is the first Premier League fixture between the clubs. Until the most recent Championship meetings during the 2014/15 season, all of the other 24 league games had taken place in the third tier of English football.
- Fulham have failed to win any of the last 6 meetings with Bournemouth, drawing 3 and losing 3 in the process.
- Further back, Fulham have won just 2 of the last 18 league meetings with Bournemouth stretching back to 1932.
- Bournemouth scored 5 goals in the final 61 minutes the last time the clubs met in 2015; Fulham have only scored 4 goals against the Cherries in the past 24 years and failed to net in 3 of the last 5 meetings.
Players in Common
John Beck, George Best, Kevin Betsy, Roger Brown, David Button, Lauri Dalla Valle, Emerson Hyndman, Scott Malone, Sean O’Driscoll, Gerry Peyton.
Prediction
Putting aside our own form for one second, Bournemouth have had a mixed record on the road this season, losing 4-0 to Burnley and winning 4-0 at Watford in successive away games already this season. Taking it back to Fulham, we have to believe that we can get at least a draw from this game and while it would only be three points, if we get the win the level of confidence it would give to everyone around the club and the fans would be immense. I’ve talked myself into it and I’m going for a 2-1 win for Fulham.
Predicted Line-up
