Monday night footbal returns as Forest look a cracking bet to take all three points, writes Dave James.
December has been a mixed bag for Fulham, with signs of recovery quickly followed by fresh frustration as Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest look to take advantage.
Marco Silva’s side responded to consecutive Premier League defeats with an important 3-2 win away at Burnley, opening up a seven point cushion over the bottom three. However, any momentum was halted on Wednesday night as a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United ended their EFL Cup hopes for another season.
Fulham now return to Craven Cottage, where recent form has been a concern. The Cottagers have lost their last two home matches and have only once suffered three consecutive league defeats here since returning to the Premier League in 2022.
They will take encouragement from their strong recent record against Forest, having won five of the last six league meetings between the sides.
Monday nights have not been kind to Fulham in general, with seven defeats from their last nine Premier League fixtures on this slot. The notable exceptions have come at home, though, with wins against Wolves and Brentford in their last two Monday evening games in west London.
Nottingham Forest arrive with confidence growing. Back to back victories have lifted spirits, starting with a 2-1 success over Utrecht in the UEFA Europa League before an emphatic 3-0 win against a struggling Tottenham Hotspur side last weekend.
Historically, Craven Cottage has been an unhappy hunting ground for Forest. They have lost all three of their Premier League away games against Fulham, conceding nine goals and scoring just once, representing their worst 100 per cent away loss record against any opponent in the competition.
That said, recent away form suggests they are capable of bucking that trend, having won three of their last four matches on the road in all competitions.
Both sides head into Monday night hovering above the relegation zone. Forest sit just one place above the bottom three, five points clear of 18th-placed West Ham, while Fulham are two points better off in 15th.
A win for either club would significantly boost survival hopes and create breathing space from the drop zone, currently occupied by Burnley and Wolves alongside the Hammers.
Fulham’s task is complicated by a growing injury and availability list. Calvin Bassey, That depletion has shown in recent home performances, with Fulham conceding five in a dramatic 5-4 defeat to Manchester City before losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace.
Forest will be fully aware that victory in west London would see them leapfrog Fulham into 15th and stretch their advantage over the relegation places to eight points.
With notable away wins against Liverpool, Wolves and Utrecht already this season, the Tricky Trees look well placed to take advantage of a weakened home side and could leave Craven Cottage with another valuable result.
