Brentford vs Fulham prediction & preview: Nigerian influence to be felt in late-season London derby?

Published on by Godfred Budu

Brentford and Fulham have little to play for this season, with both already safe from relegation and not in contention for any of the European places.

Still, there is a lot to be excited about regarding their meeting on Saturday, and we preview this fixture, along with a Brentford vs Fulham prediction.

Quick Stats

With 35 points thus far this season, Brentford are averaging exactly a point per game. That tally is 15 less than they had at this stage last season, and still five fewer than in 2021/22, their debut Premier League campaign.

Brentford's home record has not been great, with the Bees winning fewer games (5) than they have drawn (6) or lost (6).

Fulham may be eight points clear of Brentford, but they have been less prolific in front of goal, scoring 51 times this term to the latter's 52.

Marco Silva's troops started their season with an away victory (over Everton), yet they have since added just two more, the latest coming at the London Stadium last month.

Match Preview

Brentford may have guaranteed themselves another season in the Premier League with a few games to spare, but they have not had a pretty patch in the last five months or so.

Their longest winning run (lasting all of three games) ended in early November, and they have only won five games across all competitions in that period.

If there is any silver lining in the fact that Brentford have won just two of their last dozen Premier League games, it is that those positives have come during the team's three most recent outings.

Brentford vs Fulham prediction
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Now certain of survival, Brentford will look to secure the highest league position possible, and while that quest may not take them as high as the table’s top half — which they managed last year, impressively — the prospect of finishing the season with a maximum 44 points (their lowest since returning to the top-flight a couple of seasons ago), Frank and his charges would deem it worth going all in for, starting with the three on offer against fellow Londoners Fulham. 

The chances of Brentford catching up with Fulham and claiming the latter's current spot (13th with 43 points) may be unlikely, but the Cottagers would want to guard it jealously from other pursuers, like in-form Crystal Palace, who are too close for comfort.

That is the least Silva will hope his players do, anyway, but they also have ambitions of climbing up the table themselves, with the likes of Wolves, Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth just ahead of them on the table.

Whatever the grand target for Fulham is, holding off Brentford in Saturday's West London derby cannot hurt.

A form guide of just one win in their last six league games, though, does not inspire a lot of confidence, and Fulham will need to turn up in top gear if they are to come away with a desired result for the first time since beating West Ham United in the middle of April (also their last away victory).

Frank Onyeka has not started a game for Brentford since lasting an hour in the 2-1 loss to Burnley back in March, seeing a total of just nine minutes of action in three of his team's next six games and sitting out the other three completely.

Brentford vs Fulham prediction
Photo by Icon Sport

But the same period has brought his only league goal of the season, when he came on near the end of Brentford's last home game, against Sheffield United, and still found time to net the strike that made sure of what was, until that point, looking like a nervy 1-0 victory against the league's worst team.

That has not been enough to convince the manager, his namesake, to restore Onyeka to the starting line-up, but the Super Eagles midfielder will hope that he gets his chance to make some sort of impact — unlike in the last two games, which he watched, entirely, from the bench.

For Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, there are no such serious doubts about whether they would feature.

Both would like to think of themselves as nailed-on starters, but their combined efforts have not helped the team's cause much in recent games, and the manager, Silva, would hope that the duo — and the whole squad, by extension — raise their game to match the expectations Fulham fans have about the kind of conclusion their season should have.

Bassey will likely be confident of doing his bit at the back, as part of a defence that has been far too vulnerable.

Further forward, Iwobi will look to add to his seven goal involvements for the campaign, or in some other way, contribute decisively in an attacking sense.

Brentford vs Fulham H2H ( Last 10 Games)

August 2023: Fulham 0-3 Brentford

March 2023: Brentford 3-2 Fulham

August 2022: Fulham 3-2 Brentford

October 2020: Brentford 3-0 Fulham

August 2020: Brentford 1-2 Fulham

June 2020: Fulham 0-2 Brentford

December 2019: Brentford we Fulham

April 2018: Fulham 1-1 Brentford

December 2017: Brentford 3-1 Fulham

April 2017: Fulham 1-1 Brentford

Including lower-tier fixtures

Brentford vs Fulham prediction

Brentford have won two of the three Premier League meetings between the sides, and are in slightly better form ahead of this game, so do not expect the trend to be bucked.

A draw is unlikely: there has not been one in any game between Brentford and Fulham since a Championship fixture six years ago.

Also, look forward to goals, as their last five encounters in all competitions (including friendlies) have produced a total of 21.

Predicted Lineups

Brentford: Flekken; Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Reguilon; Damsgaard, Janelt, Jensen; Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa

Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha, Willian, Pereira, Decordova-Reid; Muniz

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Godfred Budu

Godfred Budu, a Ghanaian sports journalist, brings a dynamic perspective to the field with over a decade of experience. Having contributed to esteemed platforms such as Kickgh.com and Inkandkicks.com. Godfred is recognised for his insightful commentary and in-depth analysis of African football.
His passion for storytelling and commitment to accuracy have established him as a trusted authority in sports journalism in Ghana, captivating audiences with his engaging narratives and unparalleled expertise.
Godfred holds a degree in Integrated Development Studies (Social and Development Administration option) from the University for Development Studies, Ghana.