Football Preview | Fulham v Brentford

Another weekend. Another London derby.

Brentford visit the home of Fulham to try and build on what has been a successful week for the club.

Author | Ajay

Stadium | Craven Cottage

Pre match at Fulham v Leeds United 

This encounter brings together sides who endured frustrating summers in the transfer market and are now struggling to generate opportunities from open play.

Fulham recovering from poor summer?

Marco Silva made little secret of his frustration with Fulham’s “passive” approach to recruitment before the deadline day arrival of Brazilian winger Kevin for a club-record fee.

The additions of AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze on loan and Bayern Munich striker Johan Kusi-Asare have yet to spark an improvement in attack, with Fulham still short of fluency in the final third.

Fulham v Bristol City in Carabao Cup 

As a result, set pieces have taken on an added weight. Two of Fulham’s three goals so far have come from corners, the highest proportion of any team in the Premier League. They have yet to find the net from open play.

At the other end, Silva’s side remain solid. They have not conceded from open play either, with the four goals against them split evenly between corners and penalties.

How is the new Brentford boss settling in?

After a summer of change at Brentford, Keith Andrews has overseen a steady if unspectacular start to his tenure. An opening-day defeat at Nottingham Forest was followed by a more encouraging home win over Aston Villa, only for momentum to stall with a late loss against newly promoted Sunderland. 

Last week’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea, secured by Fabio Carvalho’s stoppage-time equaliser, leaves the Bees a point and a place behind Fulham in the table.

Brentford in Carabao Cup action

Team news for both sides

For Fulham, Alex Iwobi has sustained an ankle knock but may recover in time for the derby, with Marco Silva expected to have close to a full-strength side.

Brentford remain hopeful over Kristoffer Ajer, who was taken off during the midweek penalty shootout win against Aston Villa but is still in contention for the weekend. Jordan Henderson, Ethan Pinnock and Igor Thiago all missed that tie but are now available, while Paris Maghoma and Gustavo Nunes are not yet ready to return.