Fulham host promoted Leicester City in search of first points of the season
Fulham face promoted Leicester City at Craven Cottage on Saturday 24 August at 15:00 (GMT+1) in the second round of Premier League fixtures. Following a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, manager Marco Silva is eager to get his side up and running.
Fulham keen to bounce back quickly after disappointing season opener
It was far from the ideal start for Fulham. At Old Trafford, a late Joshua Zirkzee strike in the 87th minute was enough to send the Cottagers home empty-handed, with Manchester United claiming a 1-0 victory. Marco Silva will be looking to respond swiftly when his side take to the pitch at home on Saturday in what will be their first home game of the season. The statistics, however, make for uncomfortable reading: in none of the past five Premier League seasons have Fulham won their opening home fixture — a record of zero wins, one draw and four defeats. There are reasons for optimism, though. The two meetings between these sides in the 2022-23 season, the last time they faced each other, both ended in victories for Fulham. The club has also strengthened since the defeat to United, signing midfielder Sander Berge from Burnley for £25 million on a five-year deal. Silva is expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Rodrigo Muniz leading the line.
Leicester City looking to build on point against Tottenham Hotspur
Leicester City marked their return to the Premier League on Monday evening with a home clash against Tottenham Hotspur that ended 1-1. The Foxes fell behind after half an hour when Pedro Porro headed home from close range in the 29th minute, before Jamie Vardy levelled in the 57th minute — his 137th Premier League goal. Steve Cooper will be hoping to build on that point as his side travel to London. Despite an impressive away record in the lower divisions — no club in the top four tiers of English football won more away games than Leicester last season, with fourteen victories on the road — the Foxes have a poor record in away matches against London clubs in the Premier League: just two wins in their last fifteen such fixtures, against three draws and ten defeats. In each of those ten losses, they conceded at least two goals. Cooper spoke respectfully of the opposition, acknowledging that Fulham have been well coached under Silva and have made some solid additions to their squad. A 4-2-3-1 system is again expected on Saturday, with Vardy spearheading the attack, although Jakub Stolarczyk, Conor Coady and Patson Daka are all doubts for the game.
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Source: Sportmonks
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