Fulham are coming into this game vs Wolves on the back of four consecutive defeats in the top flight. The Cottagers are 17th in the Premier League table, and they will not want to fight for survival. They will look to bounce back strongly and finish in a respectable position.
Meanwhile, Marco Silva’s men are up against the worst team in the division. Wolves are yet to pick up a single victory in the Premier League, and they are at the bottom of the standings. Both teams will be desperate to get their season back on track with a positive result, and this is likely to be a cracking contest.
Matches between these two teams are quite evenly matched, and this one is likely to be another entertaining affair. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Antonee Robinson (knee), Emile Smith Rowe (thigh), Rodrigo Muniz (hamstring), and Samuel Chukwueze (calf) are all expected to miss out this weekend. Meanwhile, Harry Wilson (knock) and Raul Jimenez (muscle) face late fitness tests to determine their availability.
Fulham will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Wolves, with Bernd Leno in goal. Kenny Tete and Ryan Sessegnon will start as the full-backs here, and they will look to help the team at both ends of the pitch. Joachim Andersen will form the central defensive partnership alongside Calvin Bassey.
As for the midfield unit, Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic will add defensive cover and physicality in the middle of the park. They will look to break up the opposition’s attacking moves and win the ball back.
Joshua King will be the attacking midfielder here, and he will look to link the midfield with the attack. Adama Traore and Alex Iwobi will start on the flanks. They will look to add pace and flair to the side. Raul Jimenez will spearhead the Fulham attack vs Wolves on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon, Berge, Lukic; Traore, King, Iwobi, Jimenez.
Vitor Pereira will be without Matt Doherty this weekend due to a knee injury. Leon Chiwome (knee) and Rodrigo Gomes (groin) are also struggling with fitness issues. Wolves are likely to shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation vs Fulham, with Jose Sa in goal.
In the back three, Toti Gomes will start alongside Emmanuel Agbadou and Santiago Bueno. Jackson Tchatchoua and David Wolfe will start as the full-backs here. They will look to keep things tight at the back and hit the Cottagers on the break.
As for the midfield unit, Joao Gomes and Andre will add defensive cover and control to the side from the middle of the park. Fer Lopez and Marshall Munetsi will start as the attacking midfielders here.
They will look to link the midfield with the attack and help create opportunities for their teammates. Finally, Jorgen Strand Larsen will lead the line for Wolves vs Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Sa; Gomes, Agbadou, Bueno; Tchatchoua, André, João Gomes, Wolfe; Lopez, Munetsi; Strand Larsen
The 25-year-old Wolves striker is our key player to watch out for. Strand Larsen is undoubtedly the best striker at the club, and he will look to make a defining impact here. Wolves are struggling right now, and they have failed to win their last 13 Premier League matches. They will need their key players to step up and deliver.
Strand Larsen has the quality to make a difference in the final third. The Norwegian striker has scored in 13 Premier League matches for Wolves, but he has ended on the losing side in six of those (46%). Among players to score in at least 13 games in Premier League history, only Hal Robson-Kanu (54%, 7/13), Danny Dichio (53%, 9/17) and Heidar Helguson (50%, 13/26) have lost a higher percentage.
Fulham have been quite disappointing defensively, and the Norwegian striker has the quality to exploit their defensive vulnerabilities. It remains to be seen whether he can help his team pick up their first win of the season.
Both teams will be desperate for all three points, and this is likely to be a close contest. Neither side is assured defensively, and there are likely to be plenty of opportunities on offer. This is likely to be an open game, and both sides are likely to get on the scoresheet.
Given their defensive performances, a high-scoring game is on the cards here. However, Fulham are in better form compared to Wolves, and they have more quality in the side. They are likely to grind out a narrow victory at home. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Marco Silva and his charges.
