Nottingham Forest seeking back-to-back victories in Fulham trip.
Fulham vs. Nottingham Forest kicks off at 20:00 [GMT] on Monday, December 22, at Craven Cottage.
Historically, this fixture has favoured Fulham. The Cottagers [WWDDW] have won five of their six Premier League meetings with Forest, including all three at home, giving them an imposing 83% win rate against the Tricky Trees – their highest against any opponent they’ve faced more than twice in the competition. Despite that dominance in this matchup, Fulham’s recent league form has been uneven. They have lost their last two home Premier League games and will be keen to avoid losing three in a row at Craven Cottage, something they have only done once since returning to the top flight in 2022. Marco Silva’s side have, however, been involved in entertaining contests of late, scoring and conceding in each of their last four league matches, which have averaged five goals per game. Set pieces remain a major weapon, with all seven of Fulham’s Premier League goals from dead-ball situations this season coming via corners – only Arsenal have scored more in that way. However, Monday nights have not always been kind to Fulham. They have lost seven of their last nine Premier League matches played on a Monday evening, although there is a recent caveat: their last two Monday night home games both ended in victory, against Wolves and Brentford, suggesting Craven Cottage under the lights can still be a source of inspiration. Fulham’s Harry Wilson is enjoying a purple patch, contributing six goals in his last four league games and already registering eight goal involvements this season. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Raúl Jiménez in attack is expected against the Tricky Trees.
Forest’s visits to west London have been particularly painful, losing all three by an aggregate score of 9-1, making Fulham their worst opponent away from home in the Premier League based on a 100% defeat rate. However, they arrive in buoyant mood. Under Sean Dyche, they have won four of their last six Premier League matches [WLWLW], already matching the number of wins they managed across the previous 18 games combined. Forest have also shown a newfound attacking edge, scoring three or more goals in three of their eight league games under Dyche – a remarkable turnaround compared to Everton’s output late in his tenure there. Interestingly, Forest’s Monday record contrasts sharply with Fulham’s. After losing their first Monday match following promotion in 2022, Forest are now unbeaten in their last seven on that day (W4 D3), suggesting they are comfortable under the altered rhythm of a Monday fixture. A 4—2—3—1 with Igor Jesus in attack is expected against the Cottagers.