Fulham at Bournemouth

Fulham kicks off this weekend's matches at Bournemouth on Friday night, 3pm EDT. The match is, once again, on USA Network

Bournemouth had a rough start against Liverpool, but haven't lost since that opening day defeat and now have their best start ever in the Premier League. They've gotten clean sheets in three of their matches after giving up 4 to Liverpool. That is impressive after losing key defensive players over the summer. Bournemouth is also riding three straight wins against Fulham at home. All that leads me to believe this is going to be a frustrating day for Fulham even if VAR doesn't get involved.

Fulham will be without Tete and Muniz "for a while". Raul is day-to-day. I think the current preferred starting lineup up in the midfield needs a revamp, but I don't think we will see it this week. I expect one more disappointing showing before Silva changes things.

Some random stats of interest:

• Fulham has the same number of points through six matches as they did in 2022-23 and 2023-24. So despite all of the changes in the squad, the results have stayed the same. (Fulham is 3 points behind last season)
• Fulham have given up 5 of their 8 goals in the second half. ALL FIVE of the second half goals have come in the 10 minutes spanning the 49th and 58th minute. If you could remove those 10 minutes of the games Fulham would be in third place with 13 points. I know what to do! Fulham should play defense the ENTIRE match! Genius! Unfortunately if recent patterns hold, Bournemouth should get a hat trick in that span on Friday.
• Fulham have been much worse on the road. Of the 8 goals given up this season, 6 have been on the road. Of the 7 goals scored, only two have been on the road.

 

Looks like a back five with no striker for Fulham against Bournemouth. Lofted crosses into the box are probably going to be a bad idea without a target, so hopefully this will spur some creativity. I'm guessing it will look like this:

Leno
Castagne, Andersen, Diop, Bassey, Sessegnon
Lukic, Berge
Wilson, King, Iwobi

Of course things could be pretty fluid too with Bassey taking on more of a traditional LB role and Sessegnon going forward. We'll see.

I'm surprised Cuenca didn't get the start over Diop. Raul didn't make the bench, but Kusi-Asare did.

 

The Friday match had me excited as I had an appointment earlier today for which I requested the entire day off. Now though, as a furloughed federal employee, I have every day off. But enough about me.

Bournemouth has been tough recently for Fulham. But as much as I feel like I have a decent feel for the team and league in general, I'm consistently wrong with thoughts and predictions. I'm definitely worried about the lack of a true 9 out there today, but hopefully the team was able to plan accordingly. I like that Adama did not get the start. I'd like to see King and Iwobi trade off in the middle in hopes that it will mix up the Bournemouth defense.

Still a little concerned that Robinson hasn't gotten a start. I guess we'll see if Poch handles him the same way during the international window.

 

What a sick give and go by Sess and Chukwueze! See it out!

 

Sheesh, shoulda’ kept my mouth shut. How could we have cocked that up so badly after such a great go ahead goal?

 

Yeah, that one turned into hot garbage in a flash. But again, goals like their second are becoming too familiar. Fulham let Kluivert dribble the ball uncontested from the center circle and gave him a clear lane to shoot once he got close enough. The defense really needs to stop laying off oncoming attackers.

 

Fulham did back off Kluivert, but still that shot - pretty impressive.

The BBC put up this stat after the first goal: "Fulham had lost four of their last seven league games when scoring the opener." Make that five of their last eight. Back to back 3-1 defeats after scoring first. Pathetic.

I wonder what the story will be with Lukic out now. Silva is going to have to change things up and find something that works with these players.

 

We get Arsenal at home next after the international break. Likely without a striker and a first-choice DM. But we're Fulham, so we'll probably beat Arsenal and Newcastle and then lose to Wycombe and the pathetic Wolves.

 

Did I miss the fact that both Raul and Muniz are out?

 

Yes, for once an international break comes at the right time. Sounded like Muniz will be out for a few weeks but I'm optimistic we may get Raul back.