Overview
After starting February with three consecutive defeats in the Premier League, Fulham quickly regained their rhythm with three consecutive victories in all competitions. A series of bright matches began with a victory over Stoke City, helping them win tickets to the 5th round of the FA Cup.
Next, Fulham created an impressive comeback against Sunderland. In the match against Tottenham, Marco Silva's team entered the game confidently. The goals of Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi in the first half helped them lead 2-0, making Richarlison's goal to narrow the score in the 66th minute only of honor.
This victory helped Fulham rise to 9th place in the Premier League table, only five points behind Chelsea, who are 6th. At the same time, this is also the first time in 22 years that Fulham has completed a double victory against Tottenham in a season in the highest league in England.
The West London team is now aiming to continue to defeat West Ham in the middle of the week, thereby completing the "sweep" of their city rivals in a Premier League season. Previously, Fulham won late at London Stadium in December last year.
Home form is also a great support for Fulham as they have won 5 of their last 7 matches in all competitions at Craven Cottage. Among them, up to 5 matches they scored 2 or more goals, showing formidable attacking power.
Meanwhile, West Ham is still facing many problems, especially in defense. Nuno Espirito Santo's team has conceded 54 goals in the Premier League this season, only less than Burnley (56). The weakness in set pieces continues to be exposed when they let Liverpool score 3 goals from corners in the first half in the defeat at Anfield last weekend.
However, West Ham has also shown signs of improvement recently when they won 11 points in the last 7 matches in the Premier League, significantly more than the previous period when they did not win in 10 matches.
However, the East London team is still ranked 18th in the standings, 2 points behind Nottingham Forest and facing the risk of relegation. A victory against Fulham, while Forest has to play away at Manchester City, could help them escape the relegation zone.
However, West Ham's performance in the London derbies this season is quite worrying. They have lost 7 out of 8 derbies in the Premier League, only winning one match, the worst performance in the league.
Personnel situation
Fulham had to pay the price after the victory against Tottenham when Harry Wilson suffered a sprained ankle and had to leave the field in the second half. If he does not recover in time for the London derby, Samuel Chukwueze is likely to be given a starting spot on the right flank.
This is the second consecutive match Fulham has suffered personnel losses. Previously, winger Kevin suffered a foot injury in the match against Sunderland, had to undergo surgery and may be out of action for a few weeks.
However, Marco Silva also received positive news when center-back Joachim Andersen, who was absent from the match earlier due to illness, may return. Serbian midfielder Sasa Lukic, who has been out since mid-January due to a hamstring injury, is also approaching the day of his return.
On West Ham's side, the away team did not record any new injuries after the most recent match. Currently, only Pablo (calf) and reserve goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (back) are in the process of recovering.
Expected lineup:
Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon, Berge, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Smith Rowe, Bobb, Jimenez.
West Ham: Hermansen, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf, Bowen, Magassa, Soucek, Summerville, Fernandes, Castellanos.
The match between Fulham and West Ham takes place at 2:30 am on March 5 (Vietnam time).
