Nottingham Forest travel to Craven Cottage on Saturday looking to solidify their top-four position in the Premier League against a Fulham side still in the hunt for European football.
The clash carries extra significance for Nigerian fans, as four Super Eagles stars are expected to feature: Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi for Forest, with Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey representing the hosts.
Forest have been in sensational form, winning eight of their last 10 Premier League games, but history does not favour them against Fulham, who have won four of their last five meetings.
Meanwhile, Marco Silva’s men are unbeaten in February and will be eager to continue their momentum, especially at home, where results have been inconsistent.
Correct score prediction: Fulham vs Nottingham Forest
Fulham boast an impressive record against Forest, having won four of their last five Premier League encounters, including two dominant home victories by an aggregate score of 7-0.
However, Forest’s resurgence under Nuno Espírito Santo, coupled with their defensive solidity, conceding the third-fewest goals this season means this will likely be a tighter contest.
Expect a closely fought battle, with Fulham edging it 2-1.
Alex Iwobi
Iwobi has been a key figure in Fulham’s midfield this season, contributing seven goals and three assists in 24 league appearances.
His tactical flexibility allows him to operate centrally or drift wide to create overloads, making him a crucial component of Marco Silva’s attacking setup. This weekend presents an opportunity for a personal milestone, as he currently sits on 29 career Premier League goals.
A strong performance could see him hit the 30-goal mark across spells with Arsenal, Everton, and now Fulham.
Calvin Bassey
Bassey has quietly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most dependable defenders. The 24-year-old has featured in 23 league games this season, clocking over 2,000 minutes.
His defensive solidity has been backed by impressive stats—he leads all Premier League centre-backs in Ball Carry Grade (82.9) and ranks among the top defenders in tackling metrics, including a 59% success rate in duels against dribblers.
With Forest’s attacking threats, Bassey’s ability to win duels and distribute effectively will be vital.
Ola Aina
Aina has become an integral part of Forest’s defensive structure this season, quickly earning cult hero status among the fans.
The 28-year-old full-back has been a mainstay in the team, featuring in every game so far and contributing two goals and an assist. His attacking intent from full-back, combined with his defensive awareness, has made him one of the league’s standout performers in his position.
After missing the FA Cup tie against Exeter City, he is expected to return to the starting XI.
Taiwo Awoniyi
Awoniyi’s season has been hampered by injuries and limited starts, with Chris Wood taking over as Forest’s first-choice striker.
The 27-year-old, who has managed just four starts in all competitions, suffered a broken nose and concussion in the FA Cup win over Exeter, making his availability uncertain.
If he is cleared to play with a protective mask, he could be a valuable asset from the bench. Awoniyi has two goals this season but will be desperate to rediscover the form that made him a key player last term.
