Fulham and Bournemouth, two of the Premier League’s form teams, face off at Craven Cottage on Sunday, December 29, 2024. Both sides enter this clash unbeaten in their last six matches, setting the stage for an exciting encounter as they close out the year.

Match Details

Date: Sunday, December 29, 2024
Kick-off Time: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
Location: Craven Cottage, London, England
Referee: Ron Jones
VAR: Peter Bankes

Recent Form

Fulham (Last 5 Matches)

Chelsea 1-2 Fulham (Dec 26)
Fulham 0-0 Southampton (Dec 22)
Liverpool 2-2 Fulham (Dec 14)
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal (Dec 8)
Fulham 3-1 Brighton (Dec 5)

Marco Silva’s side is riding high after a historic Boxing Day victory at Stamford Bridge, their first win at Chelsea in 45 years.

Bournemouth (Last 5 Matches)

Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace (Dec 26)
Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth (Dec 22)
Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham (Dec 16)
Ipswich 1-2 Bournemouth (Dec 8)
Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham (Dec 6)

Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth have quietly climbed to sixth in the Premier League table, showcasing defensive solidity and attacking efficiency.

Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Matches)

Fulham: 1 win
Bournemouth: 2 wins
Draws: 2

Last Meeting: Fulham 3-1 Bournemouth (February 10, 2024)

Team News

Fulham

Out:
- Antonee Robinson: Suspended (yellow card accumulation).
- Sander Berge: Ankle injury.
- Reiss Nelson: Hamstring issue.
Doubtful:
- Emile Smith Rowe: Knock.
Returning:
- Harrison Reed: May feature after recovering from injury.

Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Leno; Castagne, Diop, Andersen, Bassey; Lukic, Cairney; Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz.

Bournemouth

Out:
- Justin Kluivert: Suspended (yellow card accumulation).
- Julian Araujo, Marcos Senesi, Marcus Tavernier, Alex Scott, Luis Sinisterra: Injuries.
Doubtful:
- Adam Smith: Knock but could be available.

Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Kepa; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Cook; Semenyo, Billing, Ouattara; Evanilson.

Key Storylines

Fulham: Riding High After Historic Win

Fulham’s Boxing Day victory at Chelsea was a testament to their resilience and tactical discipline. Marco Silva’s side will look to capitalize on their momentum as they aim to leapfrog Bournemouth in the standings.

Bournemouth: Steady and Solid

While their Boxing Day draw with Crystal Palace lacked fireworks, Bournemouth’s unbeaten run has propelled them to sixth place. Despite injuries, Andoni Iraola’s tactical flexibility has kept the Cherries competitive.

Tactical Battle

Fulham’s Approach

Fulham’s balanced setup under Marco Silva has been key to their success. With Rodrigo Muniz leading the line and Alex Iwobi and Andreas Pereira providing creativity, they’ll look to exploit Bournemouth’s defensive gaps.

Bournemouth’s Strategy

Bournemouth’s ability to transition quickly will be crucial, especially with Evanilson’s return to the starting lineup. The Brazilian striker’s presence adds a focal point to their attack, supported by Billing and Ouattara.

Key Players to Watch

Fulham

Rodrigo Muniz: The hero at Stamford Bridge, Muniz will aim to continue his scoring form.
Calvin Bassey: Filling in for the suspended Antonee Robinson, Bassey’s defensive performance will be vital.

Bournemouth

Evanilson: Back in the starting XI, the Brazilian striker’s ability to finish chances will be key.
Philip Billing: His creativity and physicality make him a pivotal figure in midfield.

Prediction

This clash between two in-form teams promises to be closely contested. Both managers will need to adapt to key absences, and the tactical battle between Marco Silva and Andoni Iraola could be decisive. With both sides evenly matched, a draw seems the most likely outcome.

Prediction: Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth