Sabasports Match Preview
Premier League: West Ham United vs Fulham
Kickoff Time: 2024-04-14 21:00 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/Molly Darlington
In the midweek Europa League match, West Ham United suffered a 0-2
defeat away to Bayer Leverkusen. Over the last five games, they have managed
only one victory, two draws, and two losses, indicating an overall
unsatisfactory performance. West Ham primarily employ a 4-2-3-1 formation and
rely heavily on long passing tactics. The full-backs play a crucial role in
initiating long passing attacks. Upon receiving the ball, they often dribble
towards the wings, creating space in the defensive area and providing
opportunities for their teammates to push forward into those positions.
Defensively, West Ham adopt a 4-4-1-1 high-pressing tactic. They apply pressure
on the opposition’s defenders in the attacking third, disrupt passing lanes,
and closely mark the opponent’s midfielders to force errors. Additionally, West
Ham have been notably strong at home, with a record of three wins, six draws,
and one loss in their last 10 home matches, showcasing a high rate of remaining
undefeated.
In the last round, Fulham suffered a 0-1 home defeat to Newcastle
United. Over the past five league matches, Fulham have managed only one win,
one draw, and three losses, indicating a sluggish performance. Similar to West
Ham, Fulham also utilize a 4-2-3-1 formation. They rely on the individual
abilities of their wingers and wide players, with wing cooperation and crosses
being their primary offensive methods. However, Fulham face notable defensive
issues. Their midfield defense is relatively weak, and there is a lack of
involvement from other players in defensive duties, resulting in significant
gaps appearing in the midfield. Consequently, Fulham are prone to making
mistakes in the backline. Additionally, Fulham’s struggle away from home is
evident. In their last 10 away games, they have managed only one win, three
draws, and six losses, highlighting their weakness in away performances.
In their previous 10 league encounters, West Ham have hosted Fulham
and emerged victorious in seven matches while drawing three times. The Hammers
hold a significant advantage in their head-to-head record. Although both teams
have been experiencing less than ideal form recently, West Ham have
consistently displayed better overall performance compared to Fulham. Taking
into account the performance gap between the two teams at home and away, with
West Ham being strong in home matches, it is anticipated that they will secure
all three points and regain momentum on the winning track.
West Ham United’s Last 5 Games: LWDLD
24-04-12 Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 West Ham United
24-04-06 Wolves 1-2 West Ham United
24-04-03 West Ham United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
24-03-30 Newcastle United 4-3 West Ham United
24-03-17 West Ham United 1-1 Aston Villa
Fulham’s Last 5 Games: LLDWL
24-04-06 Fulham 0-1 Newcastle United
24-04-03 Nottingham Forest 3-1 Fulham
24-03-30 Sheffield United 3-3 Fulham
24-03-17 Fulham 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur
24-03-09 Wolves 2-1 Fulham
Head To Head Record:
23-12-10 Fulham 5-0 West Ham United
23-04-08 Fulham 0-1 West Ham United
22-12-17 Fulham 1-1 West Ham United
22-10-09 West Ham United 3-1 Fulham
21-02-07 Fulham 0-0 West Ham United
Prediction: West Ham United to
win