Fulham vs. Nottingham Forest

Fulham hosts Nottingham Forest on Saturday with kickoff at 10am EST on USA Network.

The Championship promotion class of 2022 has certainly made their mark in the Premier League. That Championship season Fulham won the league, Bournemouth finished second, and Forest won the playoffs. Now in their third consecutive season in the Premier League all three have got a shot at European play next season while last year's promoted teams were all relegated and the same looks likely this year.

The order of the teams is inverted from the Championship days with Forest 11 points in front of Fulham. In fact, Forest is doing so well, that regardless what happens this weekend they will still be in third place. Forest has gotten into that position through their solid defense combined with a dangerous counter attack. Although Fulham got all three points in a deserved but narrow win in September, Forest has the kind of playing style that has caused Fulham trouble. Fulham's possible advantage coming into this match is that most of the starters rested against Wigan, while Forest played many of their starters on Tuesday in a match against Exeter on a rough pitch that went to shootouts and almost made it to Wednesday!

Awoniyi suffered a broken nose in that match and may not play on Saturday. Fulham is getting healthier, but still without Tete, Wilson, and Nelson.

 

Strong, gutty performance. Feared the worst after allowing Chris Wood’s equalizer, but we kept at it until Iwobi’s winner. HELD ON and saw the match out very well. When Traore is playing smart and disciplined, he is a force. Lots more good stuff, but delighted by a well earned result. Delighted to see Smith-Rowe and Bassey back on the scoresheet.

 

Exceptional 90 minute display. Forest having a dream season (commentator mentioned how few injuries they’ve sustained), kind of a flukey goal (Wood is a horse) w/deflection. Raul and Adama w/commanding performances (thought we might get burned not finishing a little better).

That 3 points puts the wind back in our European sails, already looking forward to watching the replay.

 

This match had some great moments to savor. That cross from Traore! It was perfect! Right where Smith Rowe could get it going full tilt, but just over the head of the defender. Then Bassey's goal was sheer joy! Everyone for Fulham got in on the party! I'm so glad he finally got a PL goal for Fulham because he's gotten close a number of times. That was a really well worked corner and a great finish.


For the third time this season Fulham has won back to back Premier League matches. Can they finally get a third in a row next week?

 

That was a quality performance from a quality team. I feared the weak possession game, but Fulham created chances, and a lot of them by typical Fulham standards.

Another pleasing match. I really enjoyed how much Lukic was involved going forward and how they varied the attack by going through the middle at times and not just down the wing for a cross.

 

Excellent team performance. I hope taking Lukic out was just precautionary. He made us tick and was my MOTM. Though I was torn between him, Bassey, and Traore.

39 points in the books. If we keep the current per match average (someone, please check my math), we’ll end with 59 points, which would be our best haul in the Premier League. Awesome. On the other hand, 59 points is rarely good for more than the 8th place in the league, so if we want to dream about Europe, we need to get a little better at protecting our leads.

 

You are correct! Fulham is even on points with where they were in 2022-23. That season Fulham's form took a dip in the last couple months and they finished with 52 points in 10th place. Let's hope they avoid a repeat! Especially since a certain notorious FA Cup match against Manchester United took place in the middle of a four game losing streak in the Premier League back then. I'd rather not have a March/April like 2023 again!

 

Was in Hammy End yesterday Traore the Tank is playing like a man possessed! Last 5 minutes of the game was bloody nerve-wracking tho. Went to riverside after saw Sessegnon and a good many pints. Good times COYWS!!