Fulham will look to secure another three points as they host Ipswich Town at Craven Cottage on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Marco Silva’s side is aiming to maintain their outstanding form with aspirations of reaching Europe. After remaining unbeaten for seven consecutive matches, their last outing ended with a frustrating 2-2 draw against Bournemouth. Despite the disappointment, Fulham managed to take the lead on two occasions with goals from Raúl Jiménez and Harry Wilson, only to see their efforts undone by the Cherries’ late equalizer.
Fulham sits eighth in the Premier League standings with 29 points, tied with fellow contenders Aston Villa. Optimism lingers among fans, as the Cottagers have not featured in European competition since the 2011/12 season. This season marks a significant turnaround, even as they were jolted by the loss of key players like Joao Palhinha and Tosin Adarabioyo during the summer transfer window.
Ipswich Town will arrive at Fulham desperate for points to secure their place away from the relegation zone. Having returned to the Premier League after 22 years, Kieran McKenna’s side finds itself at 18th place with only 15 points from 19 games. Their latest match saw them clinch their first home win of the season, defeating Chelsea 2-0. This result has provided them with much-needed confidence, but they face another tough opponent this weekend.
Fulham is unbeaten against Ipswich Town in their last eight meetings, with six victories and just two draws. The last encounter, played earlier this season, ended with shared spoils as both teams managed to score once.
For Fulham, the injury list remains concerning. Marco Silva confirmed the absence of four players: Reiss Nelson, Kenny Tete, Sander Berge, and Harrison Reed. Nelson is expected to return soon, but not for this match. Harry Wilson, who has made headlines with his recent performances, will likely play a pivotal role as he seeks to score for the third consecutive match.
On the tactical front, Silva has preferred to deploy his squad with variations, including possible shifts from 4-2-3-1 to accommodating players with positive form like Jiménez, who scored last week.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town will also contend with notable absences as they face Fulham. Chiedozie Ogbene will miss the entire rest of the season due to injury, alongside Conor Chaplin and Axel Tuanzebe. The Tractor Boys will likely lean on Christian Walton, who is expected to start after performing well recently.
When the match kicks off at 14:00 GMT, the atmosphere at Craven Cottage is expected to be electric. Fans look forward to supporting Fulham as they chase European competition, but Ipswich will aim to spoil their aspirations.
The match promises to be tight, with both teams knowing what's at stake. Can Fulham keep rolling and strengthen their top-half position? Or will Ipswich build upon their recent momentum and take home invaluable points?
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 13:00 GMT. Fans can also follow the action on streaming platforms like FuboTV and NBC Sports.
Predictions favor Fulham, considering their unbeaten streak, but Ipswich's recent form cannot be dismissed. Many expect Fulham to edge this one, possibly taking it 2-1, as they have shown the ability to score but also vulnerability at the back.
With both teams aware of the significance of every match, the excitement is set to keep fans glued to their screens.