Match Preview
Fulham vrs Crystal Palace
Premiership Match Day 37 22/23 at Craven Cottage
Saturday 20th May 2023 KO: 15:00
Referee:
Andy Madley (West Yorkshire)
|
The final London derby of the 2022-23 Premier League season takes place at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon, as Fulham and Crystal Palace continue to amble towards the finish line.
Both sides ran out convincing 2-0 winners in their most recent contests, as Fulham manager Marco Silva's men relegated Southampton while the Eagles strolled past Bournemouth on their own patch.
Making a welcome return from his lengthy suspension in time for Fulham's trip to St Mary's, Cottagers talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic made his presence felt in a second-half cameo, as Silva's side put the final nail in Southampton's relegation coffin.
Mitrovic's deputy Carlos Vinicius had already drawn first blood three minutes after the restart prior to Mitrovic's header, officially condemning Southampton to Championship football for the 2023-24 season and keeping Fulham mathematically in the hunt for European football.
Lying smack-bang in the middle of the table in 10th place, Fulham have a six-point deficit to make up to seventh-placed Tottenham Hotspur with two games left to play, while Aston Villa hold an identical buffer over the Cottagers, whose chances of forcing their way into seventh spot are therefore slim to none.
While Silva's men should fall short in the continental chase - especially as a trek to Manchester United awaits on May 28 - the Cottagers can reflect fondly on a satisfactory campaign, even if eight defeats from their last 12 have seen Fulham end on a somewhat sour note.
However, the hosts are seeking a third successive Premier League success in the wake of triumphs over Southampton and their eight-goal extravaganza with Leicester City, and a new club record is on the line for the Cottagers, who could win four London derbies in a single top-flight season for the first time ever.
While Fulham were busy dominating one coastal outfit in gameweek 36, Crystal Palace replicated such success when Bournemouth paid a visit to Selhurst Park, as the Cherries became the latest victims of an inspired Eberechi Eze.
The 24 year old's ninth and 10th goals of the Premier League season arrived last weekend, as he prodded home a simple finish before picking out the top corner from range in the second half, extending both his and the Eagles' purple patch with Roy Hodgson at the helm.
Before holding showdown talks with the 75 year old veteran over his future, having possibly been impressed enough to keep Hodgson in charge beyond the end of the season, Palace can kick their feet up for their closing fixtures with Fulham and Nottingham Forest, comfortably sitting 12th in the standings and level on points with 11th-placed Chelsea, the only side that they can still usurp.
However, amid all the Selhurst Park jubilation, Palace's recent exploits on the road have left a lot to be desired, the Eagles have lost back to back away matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur without scoring and have only won twice on rival turf in 2023, although both of those triumphs came under Hodgson.
The Eagles have also been put to the sword in their final away game of the past three seasons and were trounced 3-0 by Fulham on Boxing Day, but the Cottagers have never done a Premier League double over Palace, who are seeking a third consecutive win at Craven Cottage this weekend.
-
Fulham are seeking to complete a league double over Crystal Palace for the first time in the Premier League.
-
The Eagles have won their past two top-flight visits to Craven Cottage, including a 2-1 victory in 2020-21 under Roy Hodgson.
-
Fulham have won consecutive Premier League games, having previously lost three in a row.
-
The Cottagers need three points to surpass their record Premier League total of 53, which was set by Roy Hodgson's side in 2008-09.
-
They have already set a new club record for Premier League wins, registering their 15th of the season at Southampton last Saturday.
-
The west London club are also one shy of setting a club record for goals scored in a Premier League season. They currently have 52.
-
Marco Silva's side are vying to win four London derbies in a top-flight campaign for the first time.
-
Carlos Vinicius has scored three goals in his past four Premier League outings, as many as he mustered in his past 32 appearances in the competition.
-
Aleksandar Mitrovic has failed to score in seven home games in all competitions since converting a penalty against Aston Villa in October.
-
Crystal Palace have lost their final Premier League away fixture in each of the past three seasons.
-
The south London club have won just once in 21 matches this season against teams currently above them in the table, drawing eight and losing 12.
-
Roy Hodgson has never lost to Fulham in the Premier League, winning three and drawing three of his matches against his former club.
-
Eberechi Eze has scored six goals in his past seven appearances.
-
Michael Olise is the first Palace player to register 10 assists in a Premier League campaign.