Marco Silva admits that Fulham has a “big fight” if they want to achieve European qualification this season, prior to Sunday's collision with Tottenham in Craven Cottage.
A last-minute Joao Pedro penalty gave a blow last week to Fulham's continental hope, because they were beaten 2-1 by Brighton and Hove Albion.
They will arrive at 10th this weekend in the Premier League table, seven points on drift of the top four and five behind Newcastle United in the sixth.
The OPTA super computer gives them a 7.2% chance of achieving the top six, although they may not have to finish those high to be eligible for Europe, depending on how participants in the Premier League at UEFA competitions this season this season.
“It will be a big fight, there are many teams,” Silva said after last week's loss. “We have to take some positives. Don't be nervous, express yourself.”
Sunday's game will be Silva's 200th game as Premier League manager, making him the second Portuguese coach who reaches this milestone after Jose Mourinho (363).
Silva has the highest profit percentage of every Fulham manager in the history of the competition (37.5% – 39 victories, 24 draws, 41 losses).
Preserve the mood.
MOTSPUR PARKLIFE is back for our latest session Pre-Spurs:
– Fulham Football Club (@Fulhamfc) March 13, 2025
In the game, Fulham Full-back Ryan Sessegnon will also be reunited with his former club, who struggled for regular Gametime as a Spurs player between 2019 and 2024.
“We are very good at jumping back, so we have to do that on Sunday,” Sessegnon told the Fulham website.
“Returning to the club, I always realized the matches against Spurs. I had it in their stadium earlier this season and I can't wait for the game here.
“Everyone knows the problems I had with injuries, but especially under Antonio Conte I got a series of games and I enjoyed it.
“It's a very good club with good people, and I am clearly happy to be here now, but I am looking forward to seeing some familiar faces on Sunday.”
Tottenham defeated AZ Alkmaar 3-1 in the second stage of their Europa League Last-16 draw on Thursday, so that Ange Postecoglou's hope for the second season remains silverware.
They are 13th in the Premier League table, eight points on drift of the upper half.
After repairing various injured players, Postecoglou believes that Spurs now seem more to themselves and say: “That is merged with a few important things.
“One is getting some players back and also the opportunity to rotate and keep the team fresh. We get our good ball players on the ball and look sharp in the last third part.
“Those things help us play the football that we want to play and hopefully we can now do it more consistently.”
Players to watch
Fulham – Raul Jimenez
All 10 of Jimenez's Premier League goals this season have put Fulham ahead (seven goals) whether they draw level (three) in the match, most of the goals that each player has scored with 100% of those who result this period.
Tottenham – Guglielmo Vicario
Based on the expected goals of Opta on the target, Spurs -goalkeeper Vicario this season prevented around five goals in the Premier League (21.9 XGOT was confronted, 17 Goals admitted).
Only Crystal Palace Shot-Stop-Stop-Dean Henderson (36.6 XGOT confronted, 31 goals admitted) has a better record this term.
Match forecast – Fulham Win
Fulham is unbeaten in their last two Premier League matches against Tottenham, after he had lost 14 of the previous 16 against them (one win, one draw).
They last went three without defeat in the competition against Spurs between November 2008 and December 2009.
However, the Silva team has lost four of their last eight Premier League matches, but as many defeats as they have suffered during their first 20 this season (seven wins, nine draws).
They have also lost their last two London derby's, who have become unbeaten in their previous 10 in the competition, five won and five signs.
But they will have faith in a victory here, in which Tottenham finds out a huge European draw and each of their last five Premier League matches on a competition day immediately lost for an international break.
Neutrals must also expect entertainment. The Premier League matches of no team have seen more goals this season than Tottenham (96 – 55 for, 41 against). Only competition leaders Liverpool (69) have scored more goals than Spurs in 2024-25.
Opta wins probability
Fulham – 46.6%
Tottenham – 29.4%
Drawing – 24%
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