Tuesday night will see an exciting all-London encounter as West Ham United host Fulham in the Premier League. The match not only pits two contrasting teams against each other but also marks a significant moment for West Ham as Graham Potter takes charge of his first league game as manager.
Potter, recently appointed as Julen Lopetegui’s successor, inherits a team struggling for form. The Hammers sit 14th in the league table, having managed only six wins from 20 games under their former boss. A lack of cohesion and key injuries have plagued the side, making this fixture a crucial test for Potter’s tactical acumen.
West Ham’s recent outing at Villa Park in the FA Cup highlighted both promise and areas for improvement. Despite losing 2-1 due to a contentious refereeing decision, there were glimpses of a structured approach under their new manager. However, Potter will need to address the team’s vulnerability in midfield and its reliance on a depleted attack.
In stark contrast, Fulham arrive in fine form under Marco Silva. The Cottagers are unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions, including a commanding 4-1 FA Cup victory over Watford. While Fulham’s propensity for drawing games has seen them drop points, they remain in ninth place and within reach of a European qualification spot.
This encounter will test both teams in different ways. For West Ham, it’s about rebuilding and stabilizing under new leadership. For Fulham, it’s an opportunity to consolidate their impressive run and inch closer to the league’s upper echelons.
Kick-off Details:
- Location: London Stadium, London, England
- Date: Tuesday, January 14
- Time: 19:30 GMT / 14:30 ET / 11:30 PT
- Referee: Craig Pawson
- VAR: Stuart Attwell
Recent Form:
West Ham:
- Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham (10/01/25)
- Man City 4-1 West Ham (04/01/25)
- West Ham 0-5 Liverpool (29/12/24)
- Southampton 0-1 West Ham (26/12/24)
- West Ham 1-1 Brighton (21/12/24)
Fulham:
- Fulham 4-1 Watford (09/01/25)
- Fulham 2-2 Ipswich (05/01/25)
- Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth (29/12/24)
- Chelsea 1-2 Fulham (26/12/24)
- Fulham 0-0 Southampton (22/12/24)
Predicted Lineups:
West Ham (4-2-3-1):
Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles; Soucek, Alvarez; Kudus, Paqueta, Summerville; Ings
Key Notes:
- Niclas Fullkrug’s hamstring injury and the absence of Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen leave West Ham’s attack short on options. Danny Ings is expected to lead the line.
- Young talent Oliver Scarles could retain his place at left-back after impressing at Villa Park.
Fulham (3-4-3):
Leno; Diop, Andersen, Bassey; Castagne, Lukic, Cairney, Robinson; Wilson, Jimenez, Iwobi
Key Notes:
- Injuries to Kenny Tete and Reiss Nelson, along with doubts over Sander Berge and Rodrigo Muniz, could see Marco Silva tweak his system.
- Raul Jimenez, in excellent form, is set to spearhead Fulham’s attack.
Prediction:
Both teams have contrasting momentum, but this matchup could be evenly balanced. Fulham’s offensive consistency might be tempered by West Ham’s focus on defensive stability under Potter. Another draw seems likely.
Predicted Score: West Ham 0-0 Fulham
