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Fulham logo
Premier League | Gameweek 23
Feb 11, 2023 at 3pm UK
Craven Cottage
Nottingham Forest logo

Fulham
2 - 0
Nott'm Forest

Willian (17'), Solomon (88')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Aurier (15')

Preview: Fulham vs. Nottingham Forest - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Premier League clash between Fulham and Nottingham Forest, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Nottingham Forest will be looking to maintain their strong Premier League form when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

No team has picked up more Premier League points than Steve Cooper's side in 2023, although Fulham remain eight points above Forest in the table.


Match preview

Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo in action in September.© Reuters

Fresh from booking their place in the last 16 of the FA Cup with a 3-2 victory over Sunderland in midweek, Fulham will now focus on cementing their spot in the top half of the Premier League table.

After gaining promotion alongside Nottingham Forest last year, the Cottagers have exceeded all expectations this season, winning nine of their 22 league games to keep them above Chelsea and Liverpool in the standings.

That said, Marco Silva will be eager to end a three-match winless run in the Premier League, with defeats to Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur preceding a goalless draw against London rivals Chelsea at the Cottage.

It is also worth noting that Fulham have failed to score in each of their last three league outings, although Silva's men did manage to chalk up a four-game winning run directly after the World Cup break.

Fulham have kept just two clean sheets in 11 Premier League games at the Cottage this term, while only bottom club Southampton have conceded more home goals than Fulham's 16, so Forest will fancy their chances of getting something from Saturday's clash.

Nottingham Forest's Danilo in action with Leeds United's Jack Harrison on February 5, 2023© Reuters

The Tricky Trees extended their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to five matches with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Leeds United last time out, leading to the sacking of Whites manager Jesse Marsch.

Brennan Johnson scored the decisive goal after 14 minutes, meaning that the 21-year-old has now bagged three goals and two assists across his previous four league appearances.

Having made a poor start to the season – winning two of their opening 14 Premier League games – Nottingham Forest have lost just one of their past eight league outings to open up a six-point gap between them and the bottom three.

It is worth pointing out, however, that only Bournemouth have claimed fewer points on their travels than Forest this season, with Cooper's side winning one of their 10 away games.

On top of that, only Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored fewer goals than Forest's 17, while no team has netted fewer away goals than Forest's three, so the Reds will be desperate to increase their output on the road.

Forest lost the reverse fixture 3-2 back in September, with Fulham scoring three goals in six second-half minutes, but it feels as though Cooper's men have improved drastically since then.

Fulham Premier League form:


Fulham form (all competitions):


Nottingham Forest Premier League form:


Nottingham Forest form (all competitions):



Team News

Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson celebrates scoring against Leeds United on February 5, 2023© Reuters

Indicating that the Premier League is the main priority for Fulham, Marco Silva made nine changes to his starting XI for Wednesday's FA Cup clash against Sunderland, with Joao Palhinha and Kenny Tete the only players retained.

Having failed to find the net in his last three league outings, Aleksandar Mitrovic will be eager to add to his tally of 11 goals in 18 matches when he returns to the starting lineup this weekend.

Neeskens Kebano remains a long-term injury absentee for the Cottagers, while there are question marks over the fitness of midfield duo Harrison Reed and Tom Cairney, meaning that Harry Wilson could be handed a start on Saturday.

Nottingham Forest's extensive injury list contains Dean Henderson, Moussa Niakhate, Taiwo Awoniyi, Omar Richards, Cheikhou Kouyate and Giulian Biancone, while Ryan Yates remains absent due to illness.

Following an impressive debut performance, on-loan goalkeeper Kaylor Navas will continue to deputise for Henderson, with Willy Boly and Scott McKenna expected to start at centre-back.

Jonjo Shelvey and Felipe could feature for the visitors for the first time after arriving at the City Ground during the winter transfer window, although both players are likely to start on the bench this weekend.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Pereira, Palhinha; Reid, Willian, Wilson; Mitrovic

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Navas; Aurier, Boly, McKenna, Lodi; Danilo, Freuler, Mangala; Gibbs-White; Johnson, Wood


SM words green background

We say: Fulham 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Having taken 11 points from a possible 15 since the turn of the year, Nottingham Forest will be confident of avoiding defeat on Saturday, but the visitors could struggle to taste victory at Craven Cottage.

Regardless of their recent form, Cooper's side have the second-worst away record in the Premier League, so Fulham are expected to pick up a point on home soil.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


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Written by
Ben Morris

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Game History

How you voted: Fulham vs Nott'm Forest

Fulham
67.5%
Draw
19.2%
Nottingham Forest
13.2%
151
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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