The Cottagers host Brentford in West London derby.
Having found an end to a three-game winless run, following last weekend’s narrow win over newly-promoted Leeds, the Cottagers face the Bees in this early-season mid-table London derby. Fulham vs. Brentford kicks off at 20:00 [GMT+1] on Saturday, September 20, at Craven Cottage.
After the season’s maiden victory against Premier League newcomers Leeds, which came in the shape of a 1-0 win, the Cottagers face Brentford in another West London derby, hoping to pick up three points yet again. The Cottagers sit in 11th place, with five points, just a point more than the Bees going into this weekend’s encounter. Fulham enjoyed the upper hand last season, completing a Premier League double over the Bees, and they now have the chance to win three league games in a row against their city-based rivals for the first time since 1929. Form in London derbies has been mixed for the hosts. Fulham have lost five of their last seven such fixtures in the Premier League (W2), after previously going unbeaten in 10. Defensively, Fulham have been among the most resilient sides this season. Alongside Arsenal, they remain one of only two teams yet to concede from open play in the league, with all four goals against them coming via corners (2) or penalties (2). A 4—2—3—1 formation with Rodrigo Muniz in attack is expected against the Bees. Fulham have a clean bill of health ahead of Saturday's meeting.
Brentford [LWLD], meanwhile, earned a point last weekend following a last-gasp 2-2 draw with Chelsea. Fábio Carvalho had come off the bench before producing the leveller in the 93rd minute. That stalemate left them with four points ahead of their short trip to west London with confidence dented by a tough run on the road. Brentford are winless in their last three away league games (D1 L2), a stark contrast to their previous form, when they had won seven of nine league games away from home (D1 L1). Nevertheless, Brentford would be keen to earn a point in successive London derbies after Saturday’s meeting, knowing a win here would see them topple the Cottagers. With Fulham seeking to extend their dominance and Brentford desperate to regain confidence on the road, this London derby promises intensity, tactical battles, and a close-fought contest at Craven Cottage. A 4—4—2 formation with Kevin Schade and Thiago in attack may be seen. Brentford will be without as many as three players, including Gustavo Gomes, ahead of the weekend’s trip. Edmond-Paris Maghoma and Yunus Emre Konak are two other players on the absentee list.