Fulham vs West Ham United preview, team news, tickets & prediction

East travels to the West when Fulham host a London derby against West Ham United in the 2024/25 Premier League season.

The fourth Matchday of the new season will see Fulham taking on West Ham in what should be an interesting top-flight clash.  

Fulham completed the league double over the Hammers last season as they scored seven unreplied goals over both legs. Andreas Pereira was the star of the show thanks to a brace the last time they met, but West Ham were thumped 5-0 on their last visit to Fulham.

This latest fixture would certainly be one for the Neutrals as each team will be desperate to get one over the other and gain valuable points early in the season. 

Fulham are in dire need of a boost after an underwhelming campaign last term, hence, a good transfer window should sort out some teething issues. 

Marco Silva’s team struggled for goals following Aleksandar Mitrovic’s departure, as Raul Jimenez failed to rediscover his best form but Rodrigo Muniz surprisingly stepped up in the centre-forward position. Fulham also lost a lot of the solidity that marked them out in the previous season and specific adjustments need to be made. 

The Cottagers could only manage a 13th-placed finish and they must work towards improving their fortunes in order to aim higher.

Fulham’s campaign kicks off at Manchester United on 16 August while they face Leicester City and Ipswich Town before their first derby of the season against West Ham. 

The Hammers have been decent in recent years having finished 14th in the league during the 2022/23 season but won the Europa Conference League, their first major trophy since 1980 and first European victory in 58 years.

David Moyes’ side finished ninth last term after an unprecedented run of three consecutive seasons in Europe, but the manager ended his second stint when his contract expired over the summer. West Ham has ascended from struggling for top-flight survival to competing for the European spots and the growing clamour for a more progressive style of play led to the appointment of Julen Lopetegui. 

The Spaniard has Premier League experience and is looking to make a bigger impression at an ambitious club, with West Ham also willing to embrace the next stage of their development.

Despite an abrupt exit from Wolves on the eve of the 2023/24 season, Lopetegui was appreciated for what he achieved at the Molineux. He is originally known for a high-pressing, front-foot style of play that will delight the West Ham faithful who got sick of the boring brand of football played under their previous manager. 

West Ham have embraced a structured approach, with Tim Steidten overseeing the recruitment of players while Lopetegui looks to form a side capable of challenging for European qualification places.

The specific player demands must be met for this overhaul of West Ham’s playing style to be achieved. While it is pertinent to note that West Ham conceded 74 league goals last term, Lopetegui is desperate to bolster his defensive ranks.

Yet, they have made some smart recruitment choices in recent years as the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus, Nayef Aguerd, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse were signed to great effect. This makes West Ham well capable of a return to European competitions which is one of their primary targets going into this season.

Match tickets

This Premier League London derby fixture takes place on Saturday, 14 September 2024 at 3 PM UK time. Match tickets are available for sale on the website of each club but priority will be given to season ticket holders and club members. 

There will be an electric atmosphere at this game with more than 24,000 seats available at Fulham’s Craven Cottage. The West Ham supporters will be making a short trip across the capital so match tickets will be in high demand.

For those supporters who are still looking for Fulham vs West Ham tickets, they can purchase theirs on a resale site. 

Team news

Fulham have been quiet in the transfer window as they are yet to make any signings despite losing Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer and Joao Palhinha on a £47.4million move to Bayern Munich. These two departures will leave large gaps in their centre of defence and defensive midfield positions, but some transfer activity is expected in the coming weeks. 

The Cottagers are interested in Scott McTominay who is likely to leave Manchester United this summer, and they will have little problem paying up for targets when they become available. 

West Ham have done a lot more business already by signing the likes of Luis Guilherme, Wes Foderingham and Max Kilman so far. Lopetegui is still looking to add another centre-back, a full-back, a central midfielder and a striker to complete their summer recruitment. 

French defender Jean-Clair Todibo is close to being signed from Nice on a season-long loan, with an option to buy for about £27m. Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka is their first-choice option at right-back while they are also in the driving seat to land Reiss Nelson from Arsenal.

Jhon Duran is being considered as Lopetegui’s ideal striker to provide depth up front for Michail Antonio and Danny Ings, and the Colombian is reportedly keen on joining the Hammers for the assurance of playing time. They have also been linked with a sensational swoop for N’golo Kante which would be a significant acquisition for West Ham and a signal of their ambitions.

Line-ups

Fulham still need some signings but their strongest team at the time of writing would resemble something close to this. 

Fulham: Leno; Tete, Bassey, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Iwobi; Wilson, Cairney, Traore; Muniz

Jarrod Bowen hit a career-high 20 goals and 10 assists in all competitions last term and he is the team’s marksman alongside the impressive Mohammed Kudus.

However, West Ham are sweating on the availability of two key men as Edson Alvarez suffered a hamstring injury during the Copa America with Mexico and will miss pre-season. The ongoing betting investigation into Lucas Paqueta is also a major concern should he get banned before the season starts. 

West Ham: Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Kilman, Emerson; Soucek, Ward-Prowse; Bowen, Kudus, Paqueta; Antonio

Prediction

Given the comprehensive beating West Ham suffered on their last visit to Craven Cottage, they will be keen to get their own pound of flesh. 

This makes the game all the more exciting and you can expect goals at both ends. 

Fulham 2-1 West Ham