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Fulham vs West Ham United preview, H2H, team news, line-ups and prediction

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West Ham United will make the short trip from East London to West London to face Fulham at Craven Cottage in their second London derby of the season on Saturday.

Both teams are currently in the lower mid-table, with Fulham in 12th place after earning four points from their first three matches, while West Ham sit 13th with just three points from the same number of games.

Despite Fulham achieving a double over West Ham last season, the Hammers had won five of their six previous encounters before that.

Fulham fans might be slightly disheartened by their 13th-place finish last season, a decline from their previous campaign. Marco Silva’s side started the new season with a tough match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, losing 1-0. Although the result was narrow, Fulham had several missed opportunities.

They bounced back with a 2-1 win over Leicester City but drew 0-0 with newly-promoted Ipswich Town before the international break.

Against Ipswich, Liam Delap scored with a precise shot in the 15th minute, marking his first goal since joining from Manchester City. However, Fulham’s Adama Traore equalized with a low drive before half-time.

Fulham’s goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, made several crucial saves after the break to keep Ipswich from securing their first top-flight win since April 2002. Despite opportunities for Rodrigo Muniz, Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi, and Raul Jimenez, Ipswich’s goal was rarely under constant threat.

The 1-1 draw maintained Fulham’s record of not winning more than one of their opening three Premier League matches since 2008.

Looking to secure a top-half finish this season, Fulham can be optimistic about their recent strong performances against West Ham. Last season, they achieved a remarkable 5-0 victory at Craven Cottage and won both encounters by a combined score of 7-0.

West Ham are embarking on a new era following David Moyes’s departure at the end of last season, despite his achievement of securing a top-half finish and leading the team to European success. Moyes was succeeded by Julen Lopetegui, marking his second stint in the Premier League after his previous role at Wolves.

Lopetegui’s start with West Ham has been mixed. The Hammers lost their season opener against Aston Villa, won their first London derby of the season against Crystal Palace, but went into the international break after a defeat to reigning champions Manchester City. In that match, Erling Haaland scored early for City, and although Ruben Dias inadvertently scored an own goal from a Jarrod Bowen cross to level the game, West Ham ultimately fell short.

The equalizer gave West Ham a renewed energy, but Manchester City regained control and went back ahead 11 minutes later. Rico Lewis provided the assist with a precise pass, and after one touch, he fired a powerful strike past Areola.

Lukasz Fabianski replaced Areola at halftime, but West Ham struggled to make an impact. They nearly equalized again when Mohammed Kudus, set up by Bowen, hit the woodwork.

City then extended their lead as Matheus Nunes delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Erling Haaland, who secured his 11th hat-trick for the club and the 24th of his career with a signature lofted strike.

West Ham will look to end their two-match losing streak when they face Fulham on Saturday.

Last Updated on September 11, 2024 by News Time

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Ryan Gravenberch Delivers Impressive Performance at Wolves for Liverpool

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Liverpool climbed to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium on Saturday evening.

Following a surprising 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest after the international break, the Merseyside giants have bounced back impressively, securing four consecutive wins with this latest triumph.

Although the Reds weren’t at their vintage best and struggled with some loose passes, they ultimately secured the desired result, with Mohamed Salah netting the winning goal from the penalty spot.

Ryan Gravenberch shone as the man of the match, delivering another standout performance since joining from Ajax.

The 22-year-old had a mixed debut season at Anfield, struggling to adapt to the league’s intensity, but he has rediscovered his form this campaign under head coach Arne Slot.

On Saturday, he was outstanding in the Midlands, winning all 8 of his duels. The Dutchman also successfully completed every tackle (3 out of 3) and achieved an impressive 92% passing accuracy against Wolves.

At the start of the season, there was significant discussion about Liverpool’s inability to sign Martin Zubimendi, as the Spaniard opted to remain at Real Sociedad despite the Reds’ strong interest.

Liverpool chose not to pursue an alternative target in the transfer market, a decision that has proven to be a blessing in disguise, with Gravenberch delivering standout performances in every match.

Currently sitting at the top of the league table with 15 points out of 18, the Reds have had a favorable schedule on paper, but this impressive tally should bolster confidence within the first-team squad.

Next up, Liverpool will host Bologna in their second match of the Champions League group stage on Wednesday evening, marking their second consecutive encounter against Italian opposition after facing AC Milan earlier this month.

Last Updated on September 30, 2024 by News Time

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Chelsea ‘ closely monitoring’ Jhon Duran, with West Ham also interested

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Chelsea brought in several attackers during the summer transfer window, but none were true out-and-out strikers. Despite this, the team is performing well and appears poised to challenge for a top-four finish.

A promising start under Enzo Maresca hasn’t stopped the Blues from exploring options for 2025, with Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran now linked to a move to Stamford Bridge.

According to Give Me Sport, Chelsea is “keeping a close eye” on Duran but will face competition from West Ham, with a potential deal in the works for either January 2025 or the summer transfer window next year.

Jhon Duran was also linked with a move away from Aston Villa during the recently concluded window, but Unai Emery opted to keep the Colombian international, viewing him as a reliable backup for Ollie Watkins.

Despite limited playing time, Duran has already scored five goals this season, highlighting his potential. However, consistent minutes remain elusive for the young forward.

While Chelsea can offer Duran the chance to play regularly in European competitions, possibly including the Champions League, it’s uncertain whether he would secure a starting position, especially with Nicolas Jackson currently established as the first-choice striker. West Ham may appeal to Duran more if they can promise him more regular playing time.

The former Villarreal striker is a key option for Enzo Maresca, making it uncertain whether Duran would get the minutes he desires at Chelsea, even if he seeks more playing time than at Aston Villa.

At West Ham, he could secure a long-term role as Michail Antonio’s replacement. With Niklas Füllkrug, who joined from Borussia Dortmund earlier this summer, struggling in front of goal, the Hammers are considering bringing in another striker.

Valued at around £16 million on Transfermarkt, Duran may need to wait until next summer for a potential transfer, as Emery is likely reluctant to part with an important backup midway through the season.

Last Updated on September 30, 2024 by News Time

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Man Utd Set to Make Move for Sunderland Goalkeeper Anthony Patterson

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Manchester United are monitoring Sunderland’s standout goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, but they’re up against competition from Liverpool, according to The Sun.

The 24-year-old has been a top performer in the EFL Championship, conceding just six goals in seven matches this season. With four clean sheets, he ranks among the best in the league, leading to heightened interest from Premier League clubs.

According to The Sun, former Manchester United goalkeeper and current scout Tony Cotton is closely monitoring England U21 international Anthony Patterson as the Red Devils consider a potential move. While Andre Onana is Erik ten Hag’s first-choice keeper, the link of Altay Bayındır with a departure from Old Trafford has prompted United to look at Patterson as a potential replacement.

However, the 6ft 2in goalkeeper is also attracting interest from Premier League rivals, including Liverpool, who see him as a possible successor to Caoimhín Kelleher, according to the report.

Patterson’s contract at the Stadium of Light runs until the summer of 2028, with Sunderland valuing the goalkeeper at around £20 million, according to The Sun.

Currently, Erik ten Hag has Andre Onana as his first-choice keeper, with Altay Bayındır and Tom Heaton also in the mix, though their futures at the club remain uncertain. As a result, Manchester United is eyeing Patterson not only as a backup option but also as a potential future replacement who could challenge the 28-year-old Onana for the starting role.

The 24-year-old has demonstrated remarkable shot-stopping ability in the Championship this season, making a strong case as the best goalkeeper in the division. His reflexes are exceptional, and he shows impressive composure with the ball at his feet.

Competition from Liverpool could pose a challenge for Manchester United in their pursuit of Patterson, who will likely weigh his chances for first-team opportunities at any new club.

United are already focused on bringing in young talent for other positions, particularly in midfield and attack, and Patterson could become the first young goalkeeper signed under the club’s new ownership if they manage to finalize a deal next summer.

Last Updated on September 30, 2024 by News Time

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