Winless Fulham welcome surprise package Hull to Craven Cottage, with Álvaro Arbeloa urgently needing his side to turn promising performances into points.
Match News and Current Form
Fulham sit bottom of the table (D2, L4) after repeatedly failing to capitalise on winning positions, highlighted by their meagre return after scoring first in three of their last four fixtures (D1, L2). Only Bournemouth have dropped more Premier League points from winning positions than the Cottagers this term (eight), and they are on the cusp of matching their longest wait for a top-flight victory to start a season, when they opened the 1951/52 campaign by winning none of their first seven. Craven Cottage hasn’t provided them with much solace either (D1, L2), and if growing speculation over Arbeloa’s future is accurate, the Spaniard badly needs to end that sequence.
Hull’s Premier League return after a nine-year absence has exceeded expectations as they start the round inside the top half after losing just once (W2, D3). Their resilience was on show again last weekend against Everton (D 2-2), but defensive concerns are growing as after the Tigers began the campaign with three clean sheets, they’ve conceded twice in each of their last three league fixtures. Now winless in four in the league (D3, L1), Sergej Jakirović’s side have also failed to win any of their last three competitive away matches (D2, L1), so they’ll be taking nothing for granted heading to the capital.
Head-to-Head History
This will be the 100th meeting between these two sides but only the seventh in the Premier League (Hull: W4, D1, L1). Fulham have won the last four meetings in all competitions and three of the last four H2Hs they hosted (L1).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Fulham have conceded a pre-round joint-league high four goals after the 75th minute.
Fulham recorded exactly six shots on target in six of their last seven home league games.
Hull have received a pre-round league-high 20 yellow cards in the Premier League this term.
Hull have conceded three times before the 15th minute in away league games this term - also a Premier League-high in the opening six rounds.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Josh King’s performances have brightened the mood at Fulham as he has four goal contributions across his last four league starts at Craven Cottage (G3, A1), although he’s also been booked in their last two games. Mohamed Belloumi has scored three times across Hull’s last three fixtures, and six of his eight goals for the club arrived before the 40th minute.
Fulham will assess Tom Cairney and Antonee Robinson, while Lucas Gourna-Douath, Matt Targett and Mohamed-Ali Cho missed Hull’s last game.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
The visitors’ excellent H2H record makes backing Hull to win a tempting option, especially given Fulham’s poor start to the season.
Author: John Pennington