Written billythekid
Both Sides On An Unbeaten Run Of Six Games
After AFC Bournemouth’s Boxing Day 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, the Cherries go into the next game six undefeated as are our next opponents. The next game is in London at Craven Cottage on Sunday at 3 pm where we play Fulham.
Fulham v AFC Bournemouth
Fulham Win
Draw
AFCB Win
Before last season, AFCB had been undefeated on their previous eight visits to the Cottage, which came to an end when our team lost back in February. Fulham are two places and one point behind AFCB in the table, the result of this game could change that.
Marco Silva is in his fourth season as the Fulham manager. In his first season as their manager, Fulham finished as Champions in the Championship, with 90 points. AFCB were second two points behind and were also automatically promoted up into the top league. In his second season, Fulham finished in 10th place in the Premier League with 52 points and AFCB 15th with 38 points. Last season Fulham finished 13th with 47 points, one place and a point behind the Cherries.
This season Fulham at home have beaten Leicester City 2-1, Newcastle United 3-1, Brentford 2-1 and Brighton 3-1. They have drawn 1-1 with West Ham and Arsenal and 0-0 with Southampton. They have lost 1-3 against Aston Villa and 1-4 to Wolves. Away from home, they have W 3, D 4, L 2. Their most recent game was at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, it finished in a 1-2 win for Fulham.
As mentioned earlier the last time we played Fulham away, two first-half goals from Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Rodrigo Muniz gave the home side a 2-0 lead. In the second half, Marcos Senesi pulled one back for the Cherries, but two minutes later Rodrigo Muniz scored his second and Fulham’s third to seal all three points.
In all our league games away against Fulham, all in AFCB have W 5, D 7, L 5.
In all competitions, AFCB have W 15, D 12, L 12.
Fulham Team News
Kenny Tate, Harrison Reed, Emille Smith Rowe, Reis Nelson and Sander Berge have been out injured.
Fulham Player To Watch
Alex Iwobi has been on good form for Fulham, recently he had a run of six games where he scored 4 goals and had 2 assists. He is joint-leading scorer with 5 goals and has 3 assists. Antonee Robinson is leading with 6 assists, with two away at Anfield.
AFCB Team News
Adam Smith missed the last game against Crystal Palace through a muscle injury which according to our manager will keep him out for some time. Justin Kluivert is suspended.
AFCB Player To Watch
What a signing Ryan Christie has turned out to be, a reported £2.5 million, must be one of our bargain signings in recent years. He is just a powerful ‘engine’ in our midfield. At the back young Huijsen who came in for the injured Senesi has done a fine job with his partner Zabarnyi in our centre back line.
The Referee
Rob Jones is in charge, as he was for our 2-0 win against Arsenal in October.
Matt Stevenson added…
I’ve looked at the last 4 league games for Fulham. These were a tough set with two home games (Arsenal and Southampton) and two away games (Liverpool and Chelsea). Fulham have gained 6 points remaining unbeaten, although they were outplayed by Arsenal and Liverpool (who were down to 10 men). Fulham have scored 5 goals and conceded 4 with xG estimating 4.05 goals with 5.53.
Fulham have had 4 different goal scorers with Muniz netting 2. Robinson has 2 assists from wing-back.
The average positions of the starting line-ups are below. Whilst the games have been difficult, Fulham appear to not be an attacking side, preferring to counterattack with few average positions in advance of the centre circle. This was even the case in the Southampton game which finished goalless and you would have expected Fulham to push on.
The following plot compares summary stats of Fulham and AFCB over the last 4 games.
AFCB have more goal attempts per game and more big chances, although the difference in goals scored is small. Fulham have conceded less chances, but more big chances, and have conceded 4 goals to our 2. xG is strongly in Bournemouth’s favour but xGc is slightly more favourable to Fulham. Fulham have had no errors leading to chances whilst AFCB have 5.
Fulham have a lower possession percentage than AFCB. Pass completion is similar. Fulham have a very high percentage of chances created from open play (90% is probably the highest value I’ve seen) whilst AFCB concede a lower proportion from open play.
USCherry wrote…
Last season’s fixture had a couple of gaffs which led to their goals, Cook with a slip when he would have controlled and cleared, and then the second was a Neto indecision when he should have come out and got player and ball. Good goal from Senesi though – reminiscent of the Cook take-down control and half volley. – To join the conversation, please click here.
