Preview:Bournemouth vs Fulham - prediction, team news, lineups

Bournemouth will hope to continue their impressive start to their 2025-26 Premier League campaign when they welcome Fulham to the Vitality Stadium on Friday night.

The Cherries are in sixth place and their points haul of 11 is only four fewer than league-leaders Liverpool, and they encounter a visiting side that lost 3-1 against Aston Villa on Sunday, but the 11th-placed Cottagers are only three points behind their hosts.

Match preview

Though Bournemouth may be disappointed to have been held to a 2-2 stalemate by newly-promoted Leeds United last Saturday, they were fortunate to get away with a point given they created just 0.39 xG from open play.

Andoni Iraola's side's last three goals have come from set pieces, and the team have scored just twice from open play in their last five in all competitions.

The hosts' deserve praise for their performances at the back given only four teams have faced fewer shots (59), and four of the seven goals they have conceded this season came in matchweek one in August away to Liverpool.

Bournemouth's only defeat of their top-flight campaign was against the league leaders, and they have since won three and drawn two, though both stalemates came in their two most recent outings.

Supporters will hold confidence in their home record considering the club have only been beaten once in their last seven Premier League matches at the Vitality Stadium, winning on four occasions while keeping four clean sheets.

Fulham initially took the lead against Villa in the third minute, but despite facing just four shots inside the box, they were beaten for the sixth consecutive time by the Villans.

Marco Silva's side have only allowed 59 shots against their goal, and prior to their defeat against Villa, they had only conceded three times in the league.

The Cottagers lost 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium in April and drew 2-2 at Craven Cottage in December 2024, and at least three goals were scored in the two sides' prior four clashes.

A victory for Fulham against Bournemouth would be their fourth win in five matches, with the visitors netting five while conceding once in those triumphs.

The Londoners' strongest displays have come at Craven Cottage considering they are winless in their three away fixtures this term - they lost twice in that period - and they were defeated in four of their final five away clashes of 2024-25.

Bournemouth Premier League form:

Bournemouth form (all competitions):

Fulham Premier League form:

Fulham form (all competitions):

Team News

Most of Bournemouth's squad is fit, though right-back Adam Smith has been ruled out until after the October international break

Expect Alex Jimenez to continue on the right side of a back four that will also feature centre-backs Bafode Diakite and Marcos Senesi, while Tyler Adams and Alex Scott have impressed playing in midfield.

Striker Evanilson will start up front, especially as Enes Unal is dealing with major ligament damage to his knee.

As for Fulham, the team's biggest concern is the fitness of centre-forward Raul Jimenez, who is currently still being assessed after experiencing discomfort in his knee, and his potential absence is a blow given Rodrigo Muniz is injured.

If the forward is not ready to be included in the squad, Adama Traore could come into the XI, especially as he was brought on in the 11th minute against Aston Villa.

Sander Berge is set to be paired together with Sasa Lukic in a double pivot, and the duo could be asked to protect central defenders Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:

Petrovic; Jimenez, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Brooks; Evanilson

Fulham possible starting lineup:

Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Lukic, Berge; Wilson, King, Iwobi; Traore

We say: Bournemouth 1-0 Fulham

Bournemouth will be seen as favourites considering their home record is excellent, though Fulham have proven to be defensively resilient.

While Friday's clash is sure to be a close affair, the visitors could be heading to the Vitality Stadium with limited options up front, and their lack of firepower may prove costly.

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