Preview | Fulham vs Wolves

The final international period is over and Wolves turn their attention back to the Premier League, and the hunt for consecutive wins when they take on Fulham.

1 | Roll Call

In his Friday afternoon press conference, Gary O’Neil says he’ll need to check on some of his players, but remained tight-lipped on the detail. After returning early from Uruguay duty, Santiago Bueno has been doing work on the grass and will travel. Pedro Lima rolled his ankle while representing the under-21s recently and will be out for a “couple of weeks”.

Fulham will welcome Sasa Lukic back from a shoulder injury which has kept him out of the past four matches. Striker Carlos Vinicius, who is yet to play this season due to injury, is back available for the weekend. Moving the other way is Harrison Reed, however, with the midfielder requiring surgery on his knee which will keep him out for five to six weeks.

2 | The Stat Pack

Goals

  • Matheus Cunha | 5
  • Raul Jimenez | 4

Assists

  • Mario Lemina | 2
  • Adama Traore | 3

Biggest win

  • Wolves 2-0 Southampton | November 2024
  • Fulham 3-1 Newcastle | September 2024

Yellow cards

  • Rayan Ait-Nouri | 4
  • Sasa Lukic | 4

Clean sheets

  • Jose Sa | 1
  • Bernd Leno | 2

3 | Journey to Saturday

Wolves got up and running for wins last time out against Southampton and, after two weeks without a game, the aim is to now carry that momentum into Saturday. Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha scored the goals to see off Southampton, while a first clean sheet of the season would have been particularly welcome to Gary O’Neil. That win made it three matches unbeaten for the Old Gold, following draws at Brighton & Hove Albion and at home to Crystal Palace. Two draws are what Wolves have to show for their efforts on their travels, but a first win of the season could lift them out of the drop zone.

Fulham go into the game on the back of consecutive victories. A goal in each half from Emile Smith Rowe and Harry Wilson saw the Cottagers comfortably breeze past 10-man Crystal Palace last time out. Last time out on home soil Wilson starred in the late show against Brentford, netting twice in injury time as the Cottagers came from behind to win 2-1. Marco Silva’s side are unbeaten in three, having drawn at Everton at the end of October, while their last defeat came on home soil against Aston Villa. Fulham have won three, drawn one and lost one at Craven Cottage this term.  

4 | Lambert’s Wolves win at Fulham

Paul Lambert’s Wolves eased their relegation fears with an impressive win at Craven Cottage in March 2017. Portuguese duo Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro combined for the opening goal, with the latter converting. Andreas Weimann made it two before Denis Odoi pulled one back for promotion-chasing Fulham. The Old Gold, playing in fluorescent green, sealed the win when Dave Edwards tucked home in front of the away end to make it 3-1.

Fulham | Button, Fredericks (Odoi 53), Ream, Kalas, McDonald (Cyriac 45), Kebano, Cairney, Johnansen, Sessegnon (Malone 80), Ayite, Aluko.

Wolves | Ikeme, Doherty, Batth, Coady, Hause, Edwards, Evans, Weimann, Marshall (Saiss 68), Costa (Saville 79), Cavaleiro (Dicko 61).

#FULWOL