Brentford-Fulham is a match for the 26th day of the Premier League and is played on Monday at 9pm: TV, line-ups, predictions
It is a strange sensation to see that with three months to go before the end of the season Brentford and Fulham, the two least emblazoned Londoners in the Premier League, occupy respectively ninth and seventh place in the table and are both ahead of their cousins Chelsea, a club that – it is always good to remember – has spent over 500 million pounds in the last two market sessions. A ‘detail’ that only makes the feat being achieved by the Bees and Cottagers, both still in the running for Europe, even greater.
Thomas Frank’s men last took to the pitch a fortnight ago: last Sunday they were due to face Manchester United, but the engagement was postponed to allow the Red Devils to play in the League Cup final with Newcastle. Brentford therefore come from two consecutive draws in the derbies with Arsenal and Crystal Palace, which were less heartfelt than the one with Fulham, also for a mere geographical reason. The Bees have yet to lose since the league resumed after the World Cup break and the only defeat came in the FA Cup against West Ham (another derby). The surprising performance of the red and whites has not been affected by the football-cheating affair that is affecting their goal scorer Ivan Toney: there is talk of a possible six-month suspension, but for now the striker remains fit to play.
Brentford haven’t lost at home since September
Unbeaten for 11 days – the last home defeat was in September – Brentford take on another team coming off a long run of consecutive good results.
Palhinha
Fulham, newly promoted and initially counted among those clubs who would have struggled not to keep their category, are performing a miracle. Marco Silva’s side have gone unbeaten in their last seven games between competitions and even made it through the FA Cup round last Tuesday by beating Leeds 2-0. Having been overtaken in the standings by Liverpool, who yesterday thrashed Manchester United 7-0, the Cottagers with a derby victory could even leave Newcastle behind and rejoin the Reds in fifth place. Against Brentford, however, Silva will not be able to count on Palhinha, an invaluable piece on his chessboard.
The Prediction
Brentford’s unbeaten run should continue in the heartfelt derby with Fulham: the Bees have had several days to prepare for this match and at home they seem to have an edge. Both are likely to score.
Brentford-Fulham
probable line-ups.
- BRENTFORD (4-3-3): Raya; Hickey, Pinnock, Mee, Henry; Janelt, Norgaard, Jensen; Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa.
- FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Lukic; Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Mitrovic.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
