Fulham v West Ham United Preview
Well, I wonder how many times I’ve used the phrase “must win game” this season? Probably too many – but on this occasion it feels fully justified. Because every result went in West Ham’s favour this weekend following the 5-2 loss away to Liverpool.
Therefore, Wednesday’s game at Craven Cottage represents a genuine opportunity to make ground on our relegation rivals, with Nottingham Forest playing Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur facing Crystal Palace.
That said, Fulham are in decent nick at the moment and chasing European football next season. Manager Marco Silva has done a wonderful job in West London but is out of contract in the summer and will want to finish the season strongly. Make no mistake about it, this will not be an easy fixture – but excuses and games have run out for West Ham.
Traore is unlikely to start against his former club
The Stakes Couldn’t Be Clearer
West Ham United travel across London knowing a win could lift us out of the relegation zone by the end of the evening. That’s not drama – that’s reality.
Yes, we were battered at Anfield. But oddly, the weekend couldn’t have fallen much better elsewhere. The door has been left slightly ajar and now it’s on us to actually walk through it.
Fulham won the reverse fixture 1-0 at the London Stadium in December thanks to a late Raúl Jiménez goal. That one still stings. Wednesday is an opportunity to put that right.
Team News
Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo has updated the media on earlier today. Whilst Pablo has resumed individual training, his next appearance is likely to be in the FA Cup against Brentford.
West Ham
- Pablo – calf injury
- Freddie Potts – suspended (final game of three-match ban)
Fulham
- Kevin – foot surgery
- Saša Lukić – could return (hamstring)
- Harry Wilson – twisted ankle
- Joachim Andersen – illness
Fulham come into this on the back of wins over Sunderland and Spurs. They’re confident, organised and very well coached.
Gonzo’s Predicted West Ham XI
I suspect Nuno will stick with the same side for the third game running – although don’t completely rule out a back three. Stranger things have happened.
West Ham (4-3-3)
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Hermansen |
| RB | Wan-Bissaka |
| CB | Disasi |
| CB | Mavropanos |
| LB | Diouf |
| CM | Souček |
| CM | Fernandes |
| CM | Magassa |
| LW | Summerville |
| RW | Bowen |
| CF | Castellanos |
Final Word
This will be tough. Fulham move the ball well, press aggressively and have real attacking quality. But this is where mentality matters more than aesthetics.
We don’t need perfection. We need fight, organisation, a bit of belief and to sort those pesky set pieces out.
I’m going for a scrappy one.
Fulham 1–2 West Ham.
And if we pull that off? The table looks very different by Thursday morning.
You got it! WHU need a flying start and to keep going for the complete match. 2 nil sounds right the Hammers are moving forward, I’m sorry but the Cottagers are a hurdle that the Hammers are going to fly over. This is the match the Team have been waiting for. West Ham are Massive and it’s goodbye to the Twilight Zone.
Really think that we need to play two up top. Taty Castellanos will become a frustrated spent force if we continue to use him as an old fashioned singleton centre forward. There is a great risk that we will regress into our useless shape with no attacking intent and everybody unhappy. Pablo is missed.
Super Sou may be an answer if Adama Traore is unavailable.
Wilson is not dynamic enough for the role.
Ever hopeful though. COYI
Areola has to start ahead of Hermansen, you can’t concede five and expect to keep your place.
That’s assuming man City beat forest gonzo . It’s always down to us in this situation but how often do we take advantage 🤔, i really pray we do .