West Ham vs Fulham: Match Preview | Predicted XIs
West Ham welcome Fulham to the London Stadium as the Hammers look to return to winning ways in the Premier League.
Winless in three West Ham currently sit 14th in the Premier League, though two of the last three matches have been draws against Tottenham and Manchester City. Liverpool beat the Hammers last time out despite falling behind to an early goal from Pablo Fornals.
Fulham are fresh off their first win in the Premier League since returning to the top flight this season. The Cottagers beat West Brom 2-0 at Craven Cottage giving them a much-needed boost up the table and out of the relegation zone.
TEAM NEWS
David Moyes can welcome back captain Mark Noble back to the matchday squad. The veteran missed the game against Liverpool due to a slight knock, but now should be available for selection. The Scot will also be happy to know that Aaron Cresswell will be available. The defender suffered a groin strain in the last match but has recovered well.
Michail Antonio, on the other hand, is still injured. The star forward missed the game against the Champions after damaging his hamstring against Manchester City. There is positive news that Antonio could be fit for the match against Sheffield United.
The game against Fulham is too soon for Antonio. Sebastien Haller will likely continue to deputise as the striker in the Englishman’s absence. Haller himself will want to get on the scoresheet to go into his new national side full of confidence.
Fulham manager, Scott Parker, only has one concern for the match and that is over the fitness of Mario Lemina. The former Hammers said in his conference that the midfielder is ‘touch and go’ at the moment.
The English manager will be without Kenny Tete, Terence Kongolo and Josh Onomah as they are all injured.
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"“The only one who’s a little bit touch-and-go is Mario. We’ll see how he goes over the coming days. He’s the only real concern.”Scott Parker on Lemina."
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
West Ham United Formation | 5-2-3
Fabianski, Coufal, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Masuaku, Rice (C), Soucek, Bowen, Fornals & Haller.
Fulham Formation | 4-2-3-1
Areola, Aina, Anderson, Adarabioyo, Robinson, Anguissa, Loftus-Cheek, Reid, Cairney, Lookman & Mitrovic
MATCH PREDICTION
It is typical for West Ham, to go through the run of games against top sides and to target the Fulham match, only for Fulham pick up their first win of the season. The Hammers have put in some storming performances this season despite the quality of opposition.
Big wins against Wolves and Leicester City were followed by competitive draws against Tottenham City before a tough defeat to Liverpool. But it the Hammers can keep the level of performance up they should be able to brush Fulham aside.
Next. West Ham vs Fulham: The Inside Track On the Cottagers. dark