Sutton's predictions: Liverpool v Fulhampublished at 11:07 GMT 14 December 2024
11:07 GMT 14 December 2024
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 16 he takes on darts star Stephen Bunting, who is a Liverpool fan.
Bunting, who is ranked eighth in the Professional Darts Championship (PDC) order of merit, takes on Alan Soutar or Kai Gotthardt in the second round of the PDC World Championship, which starts at London's Alexandra Palace on Sunday.
Sutton's prediction: 3-0
I am covering this game for BBC Radio 5 Live and it will be interesting to see what Fulham do.
They were very well-organised defensively against Arsenal last time out, and were happy to sit in and try to carry a threat on the counter.
That probably did not work as effectively as they would have liked, other than when Raul Jimenez put them ahead, but I suspect they will go with a similar gameplan at Anfield.
So, Adama Traore will start again, along with Alex Iwobi who had a good game against the Gunners, with Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic together in a more defensively minded midfield.
They didn't keep Arsenal out, though, and I can't see them stopping Liverpool either.
Arne Slot's side were quite flat in their midweek win over Girona. He was quite critical of their performance but I think a lot of teams are going through a period where they are so stretched by the Premier League and Champions League.
The first goal is going to be important here, but I expect Liverpool to get it and then go on to win comfortably.
Bunting's prediction: 2-1
Fulham are a decent side. We will win, but they are going to score. 2-1.
Silva on Nelson injury, standards and Liverpoolpublished at 15:33 GMT 12 December 2024
15:33 GMT 12 December 2024
Emma Smyth BBC Sport journalist
Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Liverpool (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news: "No fresh news really, just Joachim [Andersen] and Harrison Reed, plus Reiss Nelson from the game we played against Brighton. They are going to be out, and of course, the third game of Tom Cairney's suspension, plus the fifth yellow card from Calvin Bassey."
On injuries: "It is difficult to have a really precise time in this situation. I believe that Joa [Andersen] probably is going to be the closest one to come [back] but 100% not this week. Harrison Reed, we have to see, step by step. Reiss Nelson is going to be longer. Difficult to say when he's going to be back. Probably around 10 weeks."
On Alex Iwobi's fine form: "He's been incredible for us - last season he was top. Step by step, he's been inside the team and had an impact. This season from pre-season, he's been incredible. He's enjoying the challenge and the demands from myself on him."
On his side's standards and positive early season form: "I don't see success in football without hard work - that is the reason why we have done so well the last few seasons. Everyone works so hard and the demands from ourselves in the football club are so high. If the standards and demands are high, then you are more able to respond in this league that is so tough. I know it is only the beginning of December but up until now it has been really good to see how the team has responded."
On Liverpool: "They're the most consistent team in this league so far and are strong in any moment of the game. They make life difficult for any team they play. They're great in terms of collective quality, the impact of the manager and individual quality. Everything together is why they are top of the league."
On the impact of Arne Slot: "The expectations were there and the eyes were on him and how they would react after a big character left [predecessor Jurgen Klopp]. Of course, he's showed quality and impact so far. You can feel that the players are all on the same page. When you're playing so well in the Premier League and Champions League, it's great for everybody."
'Congestion offers chance to do something special this season'published at 12:26 GMT 10 December 2024
12:26 GMT 10 December 2024
Drew Heatley Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Fulham are annoying. That is what the 19 other clubs in the Premier League must think because, under Marco Silva, we are always going to give it a right go.
And, increasingly, we are coming out of games with something to show for it.
You rarely get an inept performance from this side. But when you do - as against Wolves - the reaction is longer and louder.
Our point against Arsenal on Sunday came just three days after we took all three against Brighton at Craven Cottage, and means we've taken five points from nine since our Wolves capitulation - all against top 10 sides.
Yet, the Premier League remains so congested that we sit just outside that top 10, despite being only six points off second place.
This congestion offers clubs like us the chance to do something special this season. Remain competitive, and you will rise up the table quickly.
We will fancy going to Anfield next weekend and pushing league leaders Liverpool, as we did in the Carabao Cup semi-final last season.
However, we will have to do it with a makeshift centre-back pairing of Issa Diop and summer signing Jorge Cuenca because Joachim Andersen remains injured and Calvin Bassey will miss out after picking up his fifth yellow of the season against the Gunners.
Our record Premier League points tally is 53 and our highest top-flight finish is seventh, both achieved in 2008 under Roy Hodgson. We still needed the Fair Play League to get into the Europa League back then, but we all remember what happened next, don't we?
That is the most exciting thing about this Marco Silva Fulham side. We are more than capable of beating that points total and final placing. And after that? There is no limit.
Of course, there is a long way to go. But we are on track to break some records - and there is absolutely nothing annoying about that.
Aidan: What a defensive performance. Sasa Lukic and Sander Berge were absolutely amazing. Raul Jimenez also had a great game, and started the game off with a brilliant finish across the goal. We were unlucky to concede, after defending corners so well all game, but the rest of our defensive game cancelled out the setback of that goal. A game that ended with one point that I was extremely happy with.
Toppy: Pragmatic approach from the manager backed up by quality from his players - this has the potential to be Fulham's best season. We can beat anyone.
Terry: Fulham played very well and when needed Bernd Leno was at his usual brilliant best. Great goal by Jimenez. Arsenal main tactic seems to be to win free-kicks and corners and muscle their way to goals. Hopefully, teams will find a better way to stop them.
David: I had expected us to lose this game but another solid performance gave us a draw which felt like a win. Three tough fixtures in a week were navigated well. Berge impressive again - so calm and assured. Leno too had an excellent game - I don't understand why Arsenal let him go.
Arsenal fans
Phil: Once again we struggled to break down teams who double up on Bukayo Saka. This is becoming a recurring problem that we need to find a way round. There is simply not enough coming down our left side to give us an option. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard need to do much more to impact games . We can't keep relying on dead-ball situations for goals.
Vince: Points were dropped yes but Fulham are no slouches. On current form they're above Man Utd U and Spurs, so I wouldn't be too despondent. That said, we lacked the usual urgency and flair in the first half when we went behind and I couldn't help thinking a natural striker would have put away one of those many crosses from Rice, Saka and Trossard. Food for thought when the transfer window opens next month.
Daniel: Normal Arsenal performance this season. Slow first half and then too little too late. Poor performances from majority of the team. Only players who stood up were Declan Rice and William Saliba!
Guy: Dominating possession doesn't matter. What matters is putting the ball in the back of the net and we simply aren't good enough at that. I'm sure I won't be the first to say it but Mikel Arteta out - we haven't improved in three years. This was a problem then as it is now. We need a manager who knows how to win.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal: Cottagers earn draw after late Saka goal ruled outpublished at 17:24 GMT 8 December 2024
17:24 GMT 8 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Fulham ended a testing week on a high with a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Craven Cottage.
Marco Silva's side had taken four points from six in fixtures against Tottenham and Brighton over the last seven days but the visit of Arsenal to west London was the toughest test yet.
But it was Fulham that took the lead after 11 minutes when Raul Jimenez latched onto Kenny Tete's lovely threaded ball down the line.
The Mexico striker had plenty to do as William Saliba accompanied him but he took David Raya by surprise by taking his strike early to find the bottom corner with his sixth goal of the campaign.
William Saliba equalised for the Gunners six minutes into the second half but Fulham defended resolutely in the remainder of the match.
That was until Bukayo Saka thought he had given Arsenal all three points two minutes from time.
The England winger nodded home Gabriel Martinelli's cross but the goal was chalked off following a VAR review, which showed the Brazilian was offside in the build-up.
The draw means Fulham have taken five points from a possible nine against Spurs, Brighton and Arsenal in the last seven days.
Silva most pleased with 'commitment and organisation'published at 16:38 GMT 8 December 2024
16:38 GMT 8 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Marco Silva spoke to BBC Sport after Fulham's draw against Arsenal: "I'm more pleased with the way our players fought, the commitment, the organisation.
"It's always tough when we play against them but they know it will be tough too. We create a difficult scenario for them.
"We have to be honest and fair. On the ball it was one of the games we had less time on the ball. We scored a very good goal. Second half was more difficult. The team has less energy.
"They scored a really tight goal. The players were brave enough. Second half much more control from them but not big chances.
"Performance-wise it wasn't the best game from ourselves.
"What a goal, what a move and what a finish.
"It's been a tough week. In eight days we played Tottenham, Brighton and Arsenal. They've been great. The momentum is here for us. We have to be proud of the season so far."
Sutton's predictions: Fulham v Arsenalpublished at 10:55 GMT 8 December 2024
10:55 GMT 8 December 2024
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 15 he takes on Dougie Payne, bassist with rock band Travis.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
I am at this game for BBC Radio 5 live and I'm really looking forward to it. Fulham won this fixture last season and they had a brilliant win over Brighton last time out.
I can't believe I went for the Seagulls to win that game, because I know how strong Fulham are at Craven Cottage. It is only the fact they are playing Arsenal that is stopping me going for a home win here.
Arsenal needed corners to find a way past Manchester United on Wednesday, but they deserved to win the game anyway.
Martin Odegaard is a special talent and he is the difference-maker for them. He knits everything together and he is the reason they are going on a bit of a run. Their confidence is growing and they look strong all over the pitch.
They did not miss Gabriel at the back against United, but this might be a tougher test for them, especially because some of Fulham's key players are Gunners old boys.
One of them could easily come back to haunt Arsenal and put a dent in their title bid, but Arteta's side have got the ability to grind out results when they need to.
Payne's prediction: 1-3
Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are like a dream double act, who are beautiful to watch. Their inter-play is like poetry and I could watch it all day. Fulham have been doing OK and it's good to see Raul Jimenez back among the goals, but I feel like Arsenal will have too much.
Move from Arsenal has 'actually been quite easy' - Smith Rowepublished at 18:50 GMT 6 December 2024
18:50 GMT 6 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Fulham's Emile Smith Rowe says the move across London from boyhood club Arsenal this summer has "actually been quite easy" before the sides meet on Sunday.
Since making the club record move to Craven Cottage in the search of more regular game time, Smith Rowe has started 13 of 14 Premier League matches - scoring three times and assisting twice.
"At the age 24, you want to be playing every week and getting opportunities and it was getting to the point where I wasn't really getting opportunities anymore for whatever reason," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I had to make the decision to move on. I'm getting my chances now and I'm really happy with it.
"I obviously want show them what they are missing out on in terms of being there and leaving, but it's nothing personal. I have so much love for them but obviously I want to win with Fulham."
Smith Rowe joined Arsenal's academy as a 10-year-old and made 115 appearances for the Gunners. However, he struggled with injuries and consistency for the last two seasons before leaving for Fulham in the summer.
Reflecting on the move, he said: "I thought it would be a lot harder than it has been. It has actually been quite easy.
"I thought I would be really upset and sad. It was obviously the hardest decision I have ever had to make - but definitely the right one. I feel like I have settled in really well and I am really happy.
"Marco [Silva]has given me so much confidence, given me the freedom to just enjoy myself and if I make a mistake just go again."
Silva on Nelson, a short turnaround and Arsenalpublished at 14:00 GMT 6 December 2024
14:00 GMT 6 December 2024
Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Arsenal (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news: "They're arriving now to the training ground for the session. We have to keep assessing them, it's a short period to the Arsenal game. Assessing them and recovering them. Right now, Reiss Nelson was going to be out anyway because he's on loan from Arsenal. The first feedback I got from the medical staff is that it's going to be a hamstring injury. He's going to be out for this game for sure and probably the next game. Let's see how many more."
On why Arsenal won't be taking them lightly: "No-one surprises anyone in Premier League no more. You know how Mikel [Arteta] and the Arsenal team respect everybody in this competition, they know that it's really tough to play and win games at this level."
On the short turnaround between their game in midweek: "It's not the best scenario, it's not going to be an excuse for us. Yes Arsenal is going to be more rested by 24 hours than us. If I'm in the opposite side I'm going to say you have a small advantage in that situation because you are going to start the game less than 72 hours from the last night game but it is what it is."
On the fixture schedule, he continued: "We started last night, straight away to prepare for the game. Of course all of us, myself, Mikel [Arteta] would prefer to have a proper week to prepare the game on the weekend but we don't have and we have to be ready for it. We know what is going to happen throughout the December month, it's not going to be the first time for us, in 15 days we are going to have the same again."
Silva was also asked about Arsenal's strength from set-pieces: "Last season, we did really well in that situation, we scored twice against them in set-pieces last season, and the reality is that they didn't score [from a set-piece] against us, and let's hope we can repeat the same."
Fulham v Arsenal: Did you know?published at 12:27 GMT 6 December 2024
12:27 GMT 6 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Fulham came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 in this fixture last season - but they have never won consecutive league games, or even home league games, against the Gunners before.
Fulham 3-1 Brighton - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:02 GMT 6 December 2024
08:02 GMT 6 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Premier League game between Fulham and Brighton.
Here are some of your comments:
Fulham fans
David: A definite smash and grab victory but we'll take it, most of the match a draw would have been a good result. Nelson injury looks bad, hope he returns quickly as he's very influential. Berge had an excellent game again. Will be tougher against Arsenal on Sunday.
Tim: Thrilled for Iwobi, who my Fantasy Football team is named after! Not sure I agree that Brighton dominated. Fulham created their fair share of chances despite what that stats might stay.
Bob: As I said previously we need to be more forceful in the way we beat teams. The early goal helped. We need to go into the second half of games without conceding early. Great result tonight! All round top performance from Iwobi. The rest of our team backed each other up.
Brighton fans
Chris: After a shaky start we absolutely dominated and looked the more likely winner. Cruel luck and a great finish by Iwobi turned a probable victory into an unlikely defeat…lots to be pleased with just not our night.
Phil: Not winning enough 50/50 balls, not using Mitoma and Adingra on the wings enough, and not enough through balls into space.
Rob: Another poor performance - we've flattered to deceive on several occasions and finally been caught out. Our league position is definitely false but we have a really good squad which is slowly beginning to gel. Europe is too much of an ask for this season but should be on for next.
'Difficult game but a big three points'published at 07:57 GMT 6 December 2024
07:57 GMT 6 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Fulham boss Marco Silva on the 3-1 win over Brighton: "It was a big three points for us in a tough game. We started in the best way possible with the early goal but Brighton made it really difficult for us in the first half. They started with three at the back and it made it difficult for us to connect with the wide players.
"Second half we were much better. We conceded in a moment we should prepare better for the long ball. It was a good shot from the edge of the box. Difficult game but a big three points for us.
"We played with Alex Iwobi in a different position. He's an offensive player and did an amazing job."
Did you know?
Fulham are unbeaten in all nine of their Premier League games against Brighton, the most they've ever faced an opponent without ever losing in the competition.