Fulham vs Nottm Forest

Recap

Nottingham Forest will look to strengthen their position in the Premier League’s top four when they visit Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon, with both teams vying for European qualification.

Fulham, currently sitting in 9th place, are aiming to complete a league double over Forest after a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture at the City Ground in September. The Cottagers have enjoyed a strong February, celebrating two 2-1 away victories over Newcastle United in the Premier League and Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup. A brace from Rodrigo Muniz helped Fulham edge past Wigan, securing a fifth-round tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford on March 1.

With aspirations for European football still alive, Fulham are only four points behind the top seven, five points adrift of the top five, and seven points behind the top four, with 14 matches remaining. However, their home form needs improvement, as they’ve won only one of their last seven league games at Craven Cottage, including frustrating draws with Southampton (0-0) and Ipswich Town (2-2).

Forest, on the other hand, have been in exceptional form over the last 10 weeks, winning eight of their last 10 Premier League matches and two FA Cup ties. Their most recent triumph was a 4-2 penalty-shootout win over League One Exeter City, following a 2-2 draw after extra time. Despite a heavy 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth, they remain strong contenders for a top-four finish.

Forest boast one of the best defenses in the Premier League, conceding only 27 goals—third-fewest in the league—and keeping 10 clean sheets, which is joint-highest with Liverpool. However, they have struggled in recent encounters with Fulham, losing nine of their last 12 league meetings with the Cottagers and conceding in 13 of their last 14 clashes over the past nine years.

Fulham Form:

• Premier League: D, D, L, W, L, W
• All competitions: W, L, W, L, W, W

Nottingham Forest Form:

• Premier League: W, W, D, W, L, W
• All competitions: W, D, W, L, W, W

Team News:

For Fulham, winger Reiss Nelson remains sidelined with a thigh problem, joining Kenny Tete (knee) and Harry Wilson (fractured foot) on the injury list. Raul Jimenez, Fulham’s top scorer with 11 goals this season, is set to return to the starting lineup after missing out last week, though Muniz’s brace against Wigan may give manager Marco Silva a selection dilemma. New signing Willian could feature, while Adama Traore and Alex Iwobi are expected to start on the wings, with Emile Smith Rowe playing centrally.

Nottingham Forest’s injury worries include backup goalkeeper Carlos Miguel (hamstring) and striker Taiwo Awoniyi (concussion/broken nose). While Miguel is out, Awoniyi is doubtful for the match. Callum Hudson-Odoi, returning from a groin injury, could make his comeback, and defender Murillo may recover in time to play. Additionally, defenders Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, and Neco Williams are all set to return, with Elliot Anderson potentially starting in midfield. Top scorer Chris Wood, who netted a hat-trick against Brighton, will lead the attack alongside Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga.

Fulham’s Possible Starting Lineup:

Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez

Nottingham Forest’s Possible Starting Lineup:

Sels; Morato, Milenkovic, Murillo; Aina, Anderson, Danilo, Williams; Gibbs-White, Elanga; Wood

Both teams face pivotal fixtures in the race for European football, making this encounter at Craven Cottage a crucial one.