Fulham vs West Ham Prediction: Bowen to strike at the Cottage

Fulham take on West Ham United at Craven Cottage in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00) looking to build on their four-point start to the season. The Cottagers are two games unbeaten after defeating Leicester City and drawing with Ipswich Town.

The Hammers have lost two of their opening three matches in the top-flight, so they will want to find their rhythm sooner rather than later. Read on for my Fulham vs West ham prediction, featuring match odds and team news.

Fulham vs West Ham Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Fulham vs West Ham page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Fulham are 6/4 to win this match, giving them an implied probability of 40%. West Ham are valued at 15/8, or a 34.8% chance, to take the three points. The draw is on offer at 12/5 (29.4%).

Over 2.5 goals can be found at 4/6, while both teams to score is available at 8/15.

Football Odds

Team News

Fulham have no injury concerns heading into this clash but boss Marco Silva will have decisions to make. He could opt to hand a full league debut to summer signing Sander Berge, so he could feature alongside Andreas Pereira and Emile Smith Rowe in the middle of the park.

The same goes for centre-back Joachim Andersen, who returned to Craven Cottage on a permanent basis from Crystal Palace. The Dane could come in for either Issa Diop or Calvin Bassey.

Aaron Cresswell remains sidelined for West Ham, while Niclas Fullkrug is a doubt following a knock he picked up on international duty. Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola should be okay to return in between the sticks after he was taken off at half-time against Manchester City last time out due to a back issue.

Both teams to score @ 8/15

This should be an interesting game between two London sides who will be hoping for more from 2024/25. West Ham have dabbled in Europe frequently in recent years, and Fulham are hoping to push their way back into the top 10 after dropping to 13th last year.

Both teams have decent attacking options so I think we could be treated to a few goals at Craven Cottage. I like the look of both teams to score because West Ham have found the back of the net in all three of their matches so far, while the Cottagers have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last five appearances in the top-flight.

It's still early days in the season but it is clear that both these teams have a way to go in adding defensive security to their back lines. With Fulham, you have Pereira, who has created the most chances in the Premier League this season with 14, and I expect he will play a key role in the outcome of this match on Saturday.

With him on the pitch, Fulham's goal threat grows as he is an architect for them. For the Hammers, you have players like Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus who can come up with moments of brilliance in the final third. Then there is also the added talent of Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville from the bench, although the former is of course a doubt to feature.

Jarrod Bowen anytime goalscorer @ 2/1

Bowen has been a regular source of goals for the Hammer in the Premier League. The England international enjoyed his best season in front of goal last year as he netted 16 times, four more than his previous best tally set in 2021/22.

The attacker is already off the mark this campaign, scoring in their only win of the season so far which came against Crystal Palace. After setting the bar high last term, Bowen will be hoping for just as much, if not more success when it comes to goals this year, and he will be eager to score again this weekend.

His directness and speed can cause Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson some problems, but the American can also make life difficult for the wide man. Nonetheless, Bowen is very intelligent and he can always find space to exploit, whether that be for him to initiate an attack or finish one.

I think there's valuable to be had in backing him to score anytime in this contest.

Offers

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