Fulham at Crystal Palace

Fulham has another London Derby on Saturday when they visit Crystal Palace. Kickoff is at 10am EST on USA Network.

Fulham is buzzing after their memorable victory against Brentford and want to keep the wins coming against a struggling Crystal Palace squad. They are riddled with injuries and only got their first win at the end of October, although it was against Tottenham. Since then they knocked Aston Villa out of the Carabao Cup and got a draw at Wolves. They'll have the belief that they are turning their season around.

Lukic will still be out but the rest of the squad will be available. I expect an identical starting 11, but there is some question as to if Wilson deserves a start after his heroic performance. Despite frustrations with Pereira's play, I just don't see Silva changing the lineup this week. I think Wilson will get an earlier appearance as a sub, but not a start. Despite the great win there are still two key areas where Fulham needs to improve. First, they have got to start manufacturing goals with all of the possession that they have. Brentford seemed to believe that they could get through a match without worrying much about Fulham's ability to make anything happen in the box - and it almost worked. Second, they have got to see out these close games. Carvalho nearly delivered another crushing injury-time blow and Fulham was incredibly fortunate to not finish on the losing end. Robinson was fantastic against Brentford, but his decision not to track back on that series nearly ruined Fulham's evening. This team is so close to being spectacular, but these issues have meant they've only been very good - I feel guilty complaining!

 

Am at the game my American friends. Tried to upload a photo but it wouldn't let me. Palace only look dangerous when we ***k it up at the back. We should be further ahead. Need a second goal. Thornton Heath (part of London, Selhurst Park is) is a complete dump.

 

It’ll change, but I will take every ounce of joy from this sixth place in the table I can. Fulham sustains me through a dark time.

 

"He's done it again! He's done it again! Harry Wilson, he's done it again!"
Who would have thought we'd see Wilson bagging three goals this week in about 30 minutes total of playing time! It was kind of funny watching him blaze past Muniz through the center of the pitch on the way to his goal. He's definitely feeling it right now.

Great showing from Smith-Rowe too. Nice finish on his score and some good passing too.

 

Harry Bloody Wilson and A CLEAN SHEET! I thought Marco might put #8 in at the hour mark due to his heroics last week but, no, about the same time…and he very nearly scored twice again! Shows what little I know about soccer coaching. If we could shore up the back line and improve our set piece offense, especially on corners, we’d be a very tough out for anybody in this league. Pretty dang good now.

 

Everyone says Wilson should be starting, but I like him right where he is now. His goals per minutes would surely plummet.

Another solid performance deserving of all three points.

Aside from the last minute hiccup at Goodison Park, this team has had a great run of form. Hopefully it carries through the international break because, after a match against Wolves, Fulham have four matches against sides in the top ten.