Fulham vs. Leicester

Fulham travels to Leicester in a mid-week match that kicks off Tuesday at 2:45pm EST on Peacock.

Leicester has some very interesting trends in their results so far. Every single one of their wins was a shut-out, not a single opposition goal has been scored when they got three points. The only match they didn't lose when the other team scored was a 2-2 draw against Brentford, but they lost the other 10 matches when the opposition scored. Leicester's results when compared against the current table positions has the look of a layer cake. They haven't won against any team in the top nine. Their only two draws are against teams just above them in 10th and 11th. All of their wins have come against teams currently below them in the table.

So with that said, Fulham is right on the cusp of teams that Leicester loses against and teams that Leicester draws against (when you account for games-in-hand). If Fulham scores (and we all know how much Fulham likes to score!) then they should win. I doubt Fulham will get as lucky as Liverpool when Leicester's defender Faes put two howlers into his own net just a few minutes apart, so they'll have to get their own guys to get the job done against the Foxes.

Fulham could have Solomon and/or Kurzawa available on the bench, which would be great - particularly for Solomon. With Kebano out long term and James showing no skill set other than running fast, Fulham could use another option on the wing.

 

I won't be able to catch this one live. Stupid job. If anyone spoils the game for me, it will impact their performance review.

 

I will also be avoiding the result with the hope that I can watch the replay this evening.

I wager a guess that the lineup won't be too different (if any) from last match. We'll probably get a substantial squad rotation for the FA Cup this weekend and then back to normal for two Premier League matches in four days (Thu, Sun) at the end of next week.

 

Manor Solomon named to the bench. That’s a positive development. Long road back from that kind of injury. As is Layvin Kurzawa. Probably won’t see either, but depth is depth.

 

Ooh, Everton getting hammered at Goodison by Brighton. Frankie Lampard’s Toffee swan song? And if we hold on at the King Power, is it Brendan Rodgers’ as well?

 

Stand up if you love Fulham!!!!

 

Excellent 3 points, but that second half was a little too much excitement for my heart.

Pereira was off his best game today. Good, but not as focused and accurate as usual. Hope he's doing okay. Maybe was just hungover. Bad Tim showed up three times when he passed the ball to the opposition in his own half, but Good Tim also stepped up and made up for his alter ego. It was nice to see Tosin back and playing well. Both our fullbacks did an excellent job, and I hated seeing each get a knock, but it looked like they both should be okay after an ice bath.

Mitro's yellow takes him out of contention for Chelsea. He looked totally gassed in the last 15 minutes and may do well with the break. Could be a blessing in disguise. I'm curious if against Chelsea Silva will play Vinicius as Mitro's like-for-like(-in-the-universe-where-Vinicius-is-as-good) replacement, or if he will change the system and play without a focal #9 trying to keep the ball on the ground. I wish we had Stansfield--he's green but offers a different option. Maybe Bobby Decordova-Multitool-Reid as a false nine? Or go 4-4-2 and harass them cutting in from the flanks? Something even crazier? I'd like to see Silva try something different and surprise Chelsea, but either way I hope we take them on without fear.

My MotM today is Leno. We lose this game with a lesser keeper.

Today's game was this referee's first Premier League match. If he ever gets a chance to be in charge of another one, he will have an opportunity to show vast improvement.

 

The highlights:


@daddude7 said almost exactly what I was thinking!

When Cairney was waiting to be brought on I was hoping it would be for Pereira rather than Reed this time since he hadn't looked as sharp. Unfortunately Cairney didn't do much today to help.

I was happy to see Tosin in because I think Diop did have some questionable play against Southampton. He seemed to struggle to guide headers to anyone in white. Tosin did a better job with that today and I loved a couple of the long balls he sent forward.

Thank goodness Perez couldn't finish and that Leno saved everything that came on target. Leno certainly should be the MotM.

I really wish Mitrovic had been pulled in favor of Vinicius later in the match. Mitrovic took a bad shot to his sensitive ankle early, was clearly gassed, and was on four yellows - a perfect time to bring in some fresh legs to chase down those clearances Fulham was hoofing into the Leicester half. Fulham hasn't got a point without Mitrovic in the lineup, but I feel like there is enough talent that they are capable of getting something against Chelsea.

This match reminded me a little of life under Parker - get a goal and then hang on for dear life the rest of the match. I thought Fulham looked pretty good going forward before the goal (what a beautiful assist from Willian), but as the match went on Fulham just got worse and worse until they were finally just huddled in their own box desperately trying to make it to full time.

 

I honestly can't believe we held on. They were killing us in that second half.

 

I am thrilled to see the old Fulham spirit back! And seventh in table, to boot.
I doubt I'll ever follow close as I used to but it is awesome, nonetheless!
Well done!