Bournemouth vs Fulham Prediction
🔊 Bournemouth, who made a sensational start to the Premier League season, have now gone two matches without a win. Although their defeat to Liverpool in the opening round remains their only loss in the league, recent results have pushed the Cherries out of the top five. This Friday, they return to the Vitality Stadium to host Fulham. The Cottagers were on a three-game winning streak across all competitions before an unsuccessful trip to Birmingham. Despite setbacks for both teams, they are playing attractive football, and their head-to-head clash promises to be a highlight of the upcoming round. We'll provide an insightful prediction on which team is more likely to claim all three points in our editorial analysis.
Head-to-Head
📊 Both teams were promoted to the top flight in the 2021/22 season. Since then, they've clashed six times in the English Premier League. Bournemouth have celebrated victory more often, with three wins compared to Fulham's single triumph. The other two encounters ended in draws, both with a 2-2 scoreline.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Bournemouth Team Overview
Andoni Iraola's team, for the first time since their defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League opener, didn't look invincible. Previously, the Cherries had outperformed their opponents both in play and statistically. However, in their away clash against Leeds, the Red and Blacks, despite enjoying territorial dominance (59% to 41% possession), were less varied in attack. The Peacocks outshot the visitors (19 to 12) and created more dangerous chances (2.05 xG to 1.06 xG). Bournemouth found themselves trailing twice, but set pieces came to their rescue-both goals were scored from them. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Bournemouth's top striker, Antoine Semenyo, continues to dazzle in the Premier League. In the latest match, he brilliantly executed a free-kick, shooting beneath the wall and curling past the Leeds player lying behind it. The Ghanaian improved his stats to 4 goals and 2 assists in the league, climbing to second in the Premier League scoring charts. We must also highlight 19-year-old junior Elie Junior Krupi. Andoni Iraola spotted him in France's second division after he scored 22 goals for Lorient last season. Although the forward only appears in the final minutes for now, it was his goal in added time that secured a draw for the Cherries in the last round.
Match Results: Bournemouth
Fulham Team Overview
Fulham find themselves comfortably mid-table, a familiar spot for the Cottagers. Before their last Premier League outing, they had strung together three consecutive victories across all competitions, but suffered a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa. Despite the loss, Marco Silva's side held their own against their opponents: they matched Villa in possession (52% to 48%), outshot them (11 to 9), and even opened the scoring first (much like Bournemouth did, from a set-piece). However, they were less clinical in the final third, managing just 0.91 expected goals compared to Villa's 1.41.
Finally, Raul Jimenez, Fulham's top scorer from last season, started from the first whistle. The Mexican striker had only been in the starting lineup in the opening round of the Premier League until now. He quickly justified the coach's faith by scoring in the third minute. Unfortunately, his joy was short-lived as he was substituted due to an injury by the 11th minute. In Jimenez's absence, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz have stepped up to share the goal-scoring duties, combining for a tally of 2 goals and 3 assists in the Premier League.
Match Results: Fulham
Latest news
Bournemouth
🎙 Rumors of a potential partnership between Andoni Iraola and Manchester United are gaining momentum. Former Red Devils players are already attempting to recruit Bournemouth's head coach. Former United goalkeeper Ben Foster praised the Spanish specialist, saying, "Iraola is exactly what we need. Losing half of your team, half of your starting lineup, and still being as impressive-that, to me, means you're a true coach."
❌ News from Bournemouth's medical room has emerged. Adam Smith's hamstring injury is not as serious as initially thought and might have allowed him to feature against Fulham. However, the coach is cautious about rushing the experienced defender back and will likely wait until the end of the international break. There are still questions about Lewis Cook's shoulder condition. He could have appeared in the last round but probably wasn't match-fit, as he was left out of the squad.
Fulham
📝 Rodrigo Muniz has extended his contract with Fulham until 2030. This summer, Atalanta showed interest in the forward, prompting the Cottagers' management to take decisive action to avoid losing him for a bargain in the future. However, Muniz has repeatedly expressed his loyalty to the club, with which he was involved even during their Championship days. Here's how he commented on his new long-term deal: “I really want to thank God. I am very grateful and would like to thank the club for their trust. I also want to thank my family, friends in Brazil, and all the fans. I want to thank everyone. It’s an amazing feeling to stay here, have this contract, and be secure about my future.”
❌ Fulham are facing major issues in attack. From their already limited attacking group, two players-Rodrigo Muniz and Raul Jimenez-are sidelined. Both are reportedly out until at least the international break. Additionally, defender Kenny Tete experienced knee pain during a training session. He missed the last Premier League match and is still awaiting scan results.
🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards
The match will be officiated by Simon Hooper. In the current Premier League season, he hasn't been shy with the cards, averaging 6.2 yellows per game over five matches. However, in head-to-head encounters, these teams tend to play more cleanly, and the odds on the total yellow cards this time are not particularly promising. Therefore, let's focus on Bournemouth's trend this season. In every competition, the Cherries have never received fewer than 1.5 warnings per match. Examining the odds on their individual card total makes the choice clear: Bournemouth total yellow cards over 1.5.
⚽️ Goal Prediction
Fulham are struggling with finishing. In just one of their six Premier League games have the Cottagers scored more than two goals, and their head-to-heads with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium have been equally unproductive-less than 1.5 goals in six consecutive meetings. Adding to Fulham's woes are injuries in attack, which they hurriedly tried to address at the close of the transfer window. This all points to Fulham's total goals being under 1.
🚩 Corner Prediction
Both teams are strong in possession. Bournemouth only conceded possession to Liverpool. Fulham ceded territorial advantage to Chelsea but haven't lost in that aspect since (not even to Manchester United). We anticipate a back-and-forth match, albeit with a slight edge to the hosts. However, don't expect a high number of corners from either side: the Cherries haven't earned more than 6.5 corners in six consecutive matches at the Vitality, and Fulham haven't surpassed 5.5. Considering Fulham's squad issues, we suggest betting on their lower corner count. Our pick: Fulham total corners under 4.5.
Editorial Prediction
Andoni Iraola's team's consistency continues to impress. Even when the "red and blacks" face setbacks, they still manage to pick up points. This form is reflected in the odds for the upcoming match. At Vitality Stadium, the hosts are unbeaten in their last four Premier League outings, as well as in head-to-head clashes with Fulham. The visitors' modest scoring record is further hampered by the absence of key attacking players. We wouldn't be surprised if the Cherries wrap this one up with a 2-0 scoreline. The favorable odds make Bournemouth's victory a straightforward choice.
Betting Tips: Bournemouth - Fulham
in last 5 games (Premier League).
in 7 of last 8 games against Fulham.in 7 of last 8 Bournemouth games against Fulham.in 19 of last 21 Fulham away games.in 17 of last 19 Fulham away games (Premier League).in 8 of last 9 Fulham games (Premier League).in last 8 games against Fulham.in 14 of last 15 games (Premier League).in last 13 away games.in last 11 away games (Premier League).
Comparison of Teams Stats
Other predictions
