Fulham

• Following their 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium in August, Fulham are looking to avoid defeat in both Premier League meetings with Arsenal in a single season for just the third time. They previously did so in 2011-12 (W1 D1) and 2008-09 (W1 D1).

• Arsenal have won their past five Premier League away games against Fulham, netting at least three goals in each of the past four. Only at Aston Villa between 1932 and 1939 have the Gunners ever scored three or more goals in five consecutive away league games against an opponent.

• Fulham have won their final league game in five of the past eight years (D2 L1), with their only defeat in this run coming against Sheffield United in the Championship in 2021.

• Arsenal have won their final league game in 12 of the past 16 calendar years (D2 L2), including each of the past three in a row. They won 4-2 at Brighton on New Year’s Eve last season, with this the first time they’ve played on 31 December in consecutive years.

• Following back-to-back 5-0 wins earlier this month, Fulham have now lost their past three Premier League games by an aggregate score of 0-8. They haven’t lost four consecutive league games while failing to score each time since September 1971 in the second tier.

• Willian has been directly involved in 10 Premier League goals at Craven Cottage since the start of last season (eight goals, two assists) - the most of any Fulham player. However, Arsenal are the team he’s made the most appearances against in the Premier League without ever scoring (12).

There is plenty of live football to listen to across the BBC in the final weekend of 2023.

Tune into BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra for match commentary on four Premier League games in the run up to the new year.

Marco Silva has spoken to the media before Fulham host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On whether Willian will be available after sustaining a hamstring injury: "I don't know. We have to keep assessing him. We expected him to be ready for the last game but he wasn't and right now he is a doubt for the game."

• On Raul Jimenez's return following a three-game suspension: "He's really important for us, no doubt and he was in a great moment before the red card, which in my opinion was harsh."

• Silva was asked how the team have coped without both Willian and Jimenez, to which he said: "In the Newcastle match, Willian did not play and in that game we played 80 minutes with 10 men. With both, we are stronger no doubt and we can not hide that situation so it

  is nice to have Jimenez back."

• Speaking about expectations he has for the months to come: "I would like to see a little bit more consistency in the next months. It is important to build squad depth. It is going to happen where we have injuries and the more of the same quality overall that we have I think will be better for us."

• Silva is "open" to improving his squad, stating: "What we can do behind the scenes to improve our squad is of course something I would like to see, I'm open for it and I want it as well. My job is to focus on the players we have and if we have 19 or 20 players, my job is to push them, make them go forward and to demand more and more every time."

Liverpool have asked Fulham about the availability of United States international Antonee Robinson, 26, as they look to sign a left-back in the January transfer window. (90 Min), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

We asked you for your thoughts after Bournemouth beat Fulham in the Premier League.

Here are some of the top comments:

Bournemouth fans

Ian: I have been blown away by AFC Bournemouth's 'phoenix' return to good form! Dominic Solanke has been amazing, scoring five goals in his last five games for the Cherries. He's also been a leader to the other players. I was sad to see that Tottenham might be interested in him and hope it's not true! Well done the Cherries - you've been superb!

Drew: The team are thinking in the right way and positivity flows through the play. Both Louis and Justin spoke so well in the coverage as well - they are all looking to implement this new brand of exciting football. Excellent stuff!

Penguin: I hope Bournemouth can hang on to players this January as they have got a strong squad now. They deserved this win.

Robbie: It's such a pleasure being able to watch Bournemouth now. Alex Scott was superb. Even with players missing, we are performing so well. We did well to trust Iraola. We're now 10th. Not bad for the club with the second smallest ground in the League.

Fulham fans

PJ: Utterly toothless in possession and like headless chickens without it. Difficult to believe that this is because of the loss of Raul Jimenez, who despite an improvement in form recently, is hardly a top striker. Silva has no plan B and a seriously limited squad. Unless we make several very good acquisitions in the forthcoming window, we could get dragged into the dogfight.

Tim: Leno got into the festive spirit playing the pantomime villain. The truth is neither side played particularly well but Bournemouth took their chances, which makes leaving Vinicius on the bench until the 83rd minute baffling.

Mark: That was humiliating. There is clearly a problem with mental toughness in this squad - whenever we get some momentum going, someone has a moment of madness. We are paying for a stupid tackle that cost us our cutting edge and today our two stalwarts Palhinha and Leno joined the party. Add that to a formulaic game plan and we are struggling!

Terry: Fulham were very poor, rarely threatening, gave away two very soft goals the first through Leno's legs and the second a very poor shove to give away the penalty. Good luck with Arsenal next weekend!

By Sam Drury, BBC Sport

After back-to-back 5-0 wins, it is now three defeats on the spin - all without scoring a goal - for Fulham.

It is understandable that their threat might be diminished without the suspended Raul Jimenez and injured Willian, but Marco Silva's side didn't even create a chance of note across the 90 minutes.

They were still in the game during a scrappy first half but once Bournemouth went in front, Fulham never threatened to get back into it.

For all their possession in the second half, the visitors struggled to unsettle the home side and one clumsy tackle from Joao Palhinha ended the game as a contest.

Dominic Solanke slotted in the penalty and the game was done.

Arsenal would not be the choice of next opponent after such a run of form but that is what Fulham have to contend with.

They will hope the return of Jimenez can help bring about a change of fortune.

Fulham manager Marco Silva, speaking to Amazon Prime: "Bournemouth deserved to win. When you concede goals the way we did, we don't deserve to get any points from the game.

"We concede the first, really sloppy. Nine players plus Bernd [Leno] behind the ball and we let the player run 20 or 30 metres to make an assist. That is completely our fault.

"I think the first half was really balanced, both teams trying to win the game. We had our chances, they had their chances then after 44 minutes we were really sloppy, not aggressive enough and they score.

"That makes it difficult for us, we wanted to react but we didn't really create enough. So they deserve the three points."

On creativity: "Willian was out. We played without two players who have been key for us. But others have to step in and show their quality. It was not the case this afternoon at all."

"It is not important to talk about Arsenal [in the next game] right now, we have many things to analyse from this one."

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day about missing Raul Jimenez: "Not just Raul, we are missing Willian as well. It cannot be an excuse for me because the other players have to step in and show their quality. Our attacking and midfield line, we didn’t show the quality at this level. On the ball we have to play and attack, that was not the level we normally play."

"It’s not going to be two games that changes everything. Before that everyone said we were flying, we were getting very good performances, very good results. Two bad results, this afternoon not the level of performance it should be. Of course, we have to understand why things are happening in this way and prepare for next game."

On goalkeeper Bernd Leno pushing the ball boy: "I spoke with Bernd before I came off, I saw the moment. I don’t know if it was instruction or not, but the ball boys were always delaying. The game should be the same if one team is winning or not. The ball boys were always delaying, Bernd wanted to play quickly and he took the ball from the ball boy. He didn’t push him, it wasn’t strong enough and he apologised. He is a top professional."

• Bournemouth have won on Boxing Day for the first time since 2014, which was at home to Fulham in the Championship.

• After earning three points from their first nine games in the Premier League this season (W0 D3 L6), Bournemouth have picked up 22 points from their following nine games (W7 D1 L1).

• Fulham have lost four consecutive away league matches while conceding 3 or more goals in each game for the first time since March 1969.

• Dominic Solanke has scored in each of his past five league appearances against Fulham, only scoring more total league goals against Huddersfield Town (6).

• Justin Kluivert’s goal against Fulham today came 18 years and 236 days after his father Patrick scored his final Premier League goal, which came against the Cottagers in May 2005.

Dominic Solanke continued his fine scoring form as Bournemouth beat Fulham to earn a fourth Premier League win in a row.

The Cherries went in front at the end of a scrappy first half when Justin Kluivert's shot squirmed under Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno after a brilliant mazy run from Alex Scott to create the chance.

Solanke doubled the advantage from the penalty spot just past the hour mark, sending Leno the wrong way for his 12th league goal of the season after Antoine Semenyo was bundled over by Joao Palhinha.

It was the striker's fifth goal in his last three matches, while the penalty was Bournemouth's first in 65 games, ending a stretch of 609 days without a spot-kick.

Substitute Luis Sinisterra wrapped it up for Bournemouth with a stunner in stoppage time. The winger cut in from the left before firing an unstoppable shot into the top-right corner from 25 yards.

Were you watching the match at home or were you in the stadium?

Bournemouth fans - submit your thoughts on the game here

Fulham fans - what did you make of your team's performance? Have your say here.

Follow all the reaction here

Former Chelsea and England striker Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For the fixtures over the festive period on 26, 27 and 28 December, he takes on Samuel T Herring, frontman of Baltimore-based synth-pop band Future Islands and an Everton fan.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Dominic Solanke is on fire for Bournemouth and what a run the Cherries are on. I just did not see that coming, but then I didn't expect Fulham to lose at home to Burnley on Saturday, either.

This is a hard one to call but I am going to go with the form team. Bournemouth have won five of their past six games and drew with Aston Villa in the other one, and I am backing Andoni Iraola's side again here.

Samuel's prediction: There are going to be goals, lots of goals. 2-2

Read all of Sutton's predictions here

There are five games being played in the Premier League on Boxing Day and we will bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

• Bournemouth have lost just one of their past 12 league games against Fulham, a 1-0 home defeat in the Premier League in April 2019.

• Fulham lost this exact fixture 2-1 in April last season but have not lost consecutive league visits to Bournemouth since 1990.

• Bournemouth have won none of their five Premier League games played on Boxing Day. In English top-flight history, only Grimsby Town (eight) have played more games without winning on 26 December.

• Fulham are unbeaten in their past six Boxing Day league games, since a 2-0 loss at Derby in the Championship in 2015-16.

• Fulham are winless in their past eight Premier League away games (D3 L5) since beating Everton 1-0 on the opening weekend. They last had a longer winless run on the road in the same top-flight campaign in 2018-19, when they were winless in their first 17.

• Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke has scored in each of his past four league appearances against Fulham (four goals); only against Huddersfield Town (six) has he scored more goals in his league career.

We asked you for your best Fulham memories of football over the festive period.

Here's what you had to say:

Pamela: Two special Boxing Day fixtures, nearly 50 years apart. In 1963, Fulham beat Ipswich Town 10-1 in our largest victory of all time. Graham Leggat scored the then-fastest top-flight hat-trick, which was only beaten in May 2015. In 2010, Fulham v West Ham was the first time my grandaughter Amy came to Fulham. We lost 3-1 but Amy asked when she could come again!

Suzanne: I was at Craven Cottage on Boxing Day 1963 for Fulham 10-1 Ipswich. I was 13 years old, standing in the Enclosure in the Johnny Haynes stand. I can vividly remember the cry going up of "we want 10" - and then we scored! Incidentally, in those days you played the reverse fixture a few days later and we lost 4-2…

Aidan: Back in 2019, I was mascot for the Whites against Spurs. I remember walking out holding Aleksandar Mitrovic's hand and the roar of Craven Cottage wa overpowering. That was a magic moment, even though we lost.

David: Trouncing promotion rivals Watford 5-0 on Boxing Day in the record-breaking 2000-2001 season. Jean Tigana was manager and we won the title with 101 points to get to the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

Marco Silva says Fulham's trip to Bournemouth on Boxing Day will be a match between two attacking teams trying to win the game.

Silva was asked about the notion of 'chaos football' being implemented by Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth, but he disputed that reading of their tactics.

"They are not at all disorganised," Silva said. "They have dynamic in their game. and what will make the difference is always the dynamic of any team. They have a dynamic, they have a way to press and you can see there is organisation.

"They prefer to go man to man in certain moments of the game and press really high in other moments as well. It s clear for us the moments they want to do it. On the ball, you can see clear organisation in the way they attack and what they want to do.

"You can see some players with more freedom to do certain things on the pitch, but I see a clear team with very good organisation and a team that tries to play to win. That is what they are going to face against us as well.

"We are going to be there to do the same thing, to keep our organisation if we have to but in other moments we need to give a game to them and play to win the game.

"We are going to see two teams who are very well organised in certain aspects and with ideas to win the football match."

The end of another year is almost upon us - how much do you remember about Fulham over the past 12 months?

Test yourself with a question from every month of 2023.

Have a go here

The Christmas spirit and the deluge of games that come with it is upon us.

For a player, it’s a crazy time. What’s mad is everything is happening festive wise and you want to enjoy it in some way – like a party for the lads if you can fit it in. It means you feel you have some kind of Christmas.

But the games keep coming, especially at the top end if you’re in several competitions. Then you have the training load and training on Christmas Day. I won’t lie, that is psychologically a challenge not to feel a bit sorry for yourself. Sometimes you think everyone is having a good time, but you have to think how many people would swap with your position. You have to realise and think about what you are doing.

But when you have your kids there playing with their new toys and you have to go training, that is a big sacrifice It’s not about money, it’s just human nature.

What I think they should do is make it compulsory that you cannot train as a club on Christmas Day. That way, no one gets an advantage. What happens is you see is the owners will question why you didn’t train if you lose on Boxing Day.

Boxing Day is brilliant to play on. You can see the bigger crowds and feel the festive spirit. I used to love having Christmas Day off and playing on Boxing Day. But only a few managers will trust you to have that day off, Neil Warnock was one of them.

It’s a tiring spell and I will admit, I have been set to play on Boxing Day and wondered if I’ll get through the game as I’d had too much Christmas dinner.

Playing in this spell, you have to take it as a privilege. You are playing so everyone else is able to watch football at that great time of year.

We asked you for your thoughts after Fulham took on Burnley in the Premier League.

Here are some of the top comments:

Fulham fans

Jack: Absolute capitulation after we went a goal down. It felt like we forgot where the goal was after that and spent more time going backwards than looking to get back into the game. Some small positives with Iwobi and Bassey continuing to grow into the team, and Cairney showing some teeth to complement his technical ability. But, all in all, not good enough.

Guy: A very flat performance. I felt that Burnley wanted it more. It was a disappointing performance after the great month we have had.

Jeremy: Three word explanation for today’s performance: they were knackered! This game came too soon after Tuesday’s heroics at Everton. I think it’s about time a winter break should be strongly considered. Clubs like ours don’t have the squad depth to cope with seven games in three weeks. Despite today, we should all be proud of what we’ve achieved in 2023.

Burnley fans

Owen: I think given some of the recent performances, today we played really well. Although it took some time to get into the game, we had two great goals and a clean sheet. This win is vital for our season and hopefully we can get a few more and stay up.

Lee: Massive three points! The next two games are horrid so we had to get the maximum today. Hopefully this result will quieten down the "Kompany out" brigade! It's going to be a long hard season but this gives us a little bit of hope.

Alistair: The old cliche, a game of two halves. Same old in the first half but superb in the second! Odobert looks a player and some of these young lads might be finding their feet in the Premier League now. A huge win just when we needed it, with Luton and Sheffield United also getting results. It's getting tight now at the bottom!

Peter: Work rate combined with a good defensive shape and exceptional goalkeeping produced a long overdue win. Vincent seems to have found his strongest team at last. There's just one player I am unhappy with - O'Shea is too slow and a liability in the back four.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Thursday, Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

Tottenham 2-1 Everton

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

Timothy Abraham, BBC Sport

Marco Silva hit the nail on the head with his verdict of Fulham's home defeat to lowly Burnley. The Cottagers boss felt his side deserved more and lamented their failure to take their chances, especially in a dominant first-half performance.

Certainly Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno had little to do but pick the ball out of the net twice.

Of slight concern to Silva was the reaction of his players to going behind. They did not quite wave the white flag but they seemed resigned to their fate and showed little determination to get back in the game.

Perhaps a taxing EFL Cup quarter-final against Everton, which left Silva's players looking heavy-legged, had taken its toll.

The Fulham boss will hope for a reaction against Bournemouth on Boxing Day.