Another London derby has been added to the Premier League. This time it is a ‘minor’ – but no less heartfelt – derby between Fulham and Brentford, both of whose headquarters are in the west of the English metropolis. In recent years the Cottagers and Bees have not had the chance to meet frequently, due to the now well-known “ups and downs” of the club, relegated back to the Championship in the very year of the red and white’s historic promotion.
Marco Silva, the Portuguese coach who in the previous season was one of the main architects of Fulham’s immediate recapture of the top flight, has the difficult task of breaking this sort of ‘curse’. And the start of his adventure in the richest and most competitive league in the world bodes well. Two draws for the Cottagers, who in the first day tripped Liverpool (2-2) thanks to a superlative performance by Serbian striker Mitrovic. The man of more than 40 goals in the last Championship was not able to repeat himself on Wolverhampton’s pitch: at Molineux, a week ago, the challenge between Wolves and Fulham ended nil-nil, at the end of ninety minutes in which not much happened. Remaining unbeaten after two days is nevertheless a note of merit, given that the squad still needs to be completed.
Brentford, on the other hand, never ceases to amaze. The great surprise of the last Premier League started with a bang: the excellent draw at home to Leicester was followed by the incredible humiliation against a big name like Manchester United, who were beaten 4-0 at the Community Stadium. It was a victory that once again highlighted the qualities of the Bees, who give the idea that they can save themselves as early as they did in the 2021-22 season.
Jensen and Henry of Brentford ©️LaPresse
The Prediction
Fight between two healthy teams who have looked very solid in their first two matches, but at the same time capable of swelling the opponent’s net with ease. A draw would not be surprising, with both teams scoring on at least one occasion.
Fulham-Brentford
likely line-ups.
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; Kebano, Pereira, Decordova-Reid; Mitrovic.
BRENTFORD (3-5-2): Raya; Roerslev, Jansson, Mee; Hickey, Dasilva, Norgaard, Jensen, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
