Can Fulham stay up there?

To conclude match day 32 of the Premier League, AFC Bournemouth will face off against Fulham FC. We are particularly looking at the away team, because with a win against the Cherries, the Cottagers could get close to the Champions League places. However, this clash is also very important for the home side, because Andoni Iraola’s team still has chances of participating in one of the three European competitions. Therefore, the odds between Bournemouth and Fulham are relatively even.

In our Bournemouth v Fulham prediction, we now take a close look at the two teams and try to find out who has the better chances of winning before this clash. We start with the home and away records of the two clubs. However, neither team can assert themselves here, because while the home side have been able to collect 21 points in their own stadium, the Lillywhites have collected 22 points away from home. So, no one has a decisive advantage in this quite relevant point.

When comparing the form of the teams, a slightly different picture emerges, because while the home side have only won three of the last ten competitive games, Marco Silva’s team have recorded a whopping six wins in that period. At first glance, the odds distribution is therefore not entirely comprehensible, because for an away win we are offered a maximum odds of 3.50 at Betano.

Bournemouth – Statistics & current form

Bournemouth can be absolutely satisfied with the season so far. Andoni Iraola’s team took 45 points from their first 31 games and are now in tenth place in the English top flight. What’s more, the Cherries still have the chance to qualify for one of the three international competitions. However, it is questionable whether they will succeed. The home side are already eight points behind Newcastle United and thus out of the Conference League. A win against Fulham would therefore be extremely important.

Bournemouth can make an offensive impact

With 51 goals in 31 league games (Ø 1.65), the hosts’ offensive qualities cannot be denied. The Cherries are even on a par with teams like Aston Villa, Newcastle, Brighton or Nottingham Forest. Moreover, Andoni Iraola’s team have only been scored against six times and have thus found the way into the opposing goal in 81% of their matches. At home, however, the rate is slightly worse at ‘only’ 73%. In addition, Justin Kluivert (12 goals, 6 assists), by far the most dangerous player, will be missing through injury. For us, this is another reason why the win odds should be closer.

Bournemouth also very solid defensively

But it’s not just the offense that is doing well, the defense is also doing very well. With only 40 goals conceded in 31 games (Ø 1.29), the Cherries are even ranked seventh in the league-wide comparison and even conceded fewer goals than, for example, Manchester City. Nevertheless, the home side kept a clean sheet only six times and thus allowed a goal in 81% of the league games. In their own stadium, however, the rate is significantly better at just 67%. So there tends to be fewer goals in the home games of the AFC. In direct comparison with Fulham, however, this was rarely the case, but more on that later.

Fulham – Statistics & current form

Fulham is having a fantastic season so far, picking up 48 points from their first 31 games. This puts Marco Silva’s team in eighth place and thus close behind the international places. In fact, the away team is only five points behind Newcastle United in seventh place. Furthermore, a place in the Champions League is still within reach, because with a win against Bournemouth, FCF could move to within three points of Aston Villa (5th place). So, there is a lot at stake before the clash with the Cherries. Can the guests keep the pressure on the top teams?

Fulham is usually very efficient

With 47 goals in 31 games (Ø 1.52), the guests are certainly capable of scoring against any opponent. In addition, the away team has only been without a goal of their own four times, putting the ball in the opponent’s net in 87% of league games. The rate is even better on the road at 93%. This is primarily due to their ability to convert chances, as with only 41 missed big chances, there are only four teams that are more efficient. We therefore consider a goal against AFC Bournemouth to be very likely.

Fulham occasionally careless

In defense, it is going similarly well for the Cottagers, because with 42 goals conceded in 31 games (Ø 1.35), you can only criticize Marco Silva’s team a little in view of the possibilities. Nevertheless, the guests kept a clean sheet only five times and thus conceded at least one goal in 84% of the league games. However, the rate is slightly better in away games at 80%. Of course, this value is still not really good. We would therefore refrain from betting on a “clean sheet” for the away team and would clearly advise against it.

Bournemouth – Fulham Direct comparison / H2H record

In the first two sections of our analysis, the Cottages were able to hold their own relatively well, but how do things look in direct comparison? The H2H comparison is very even, with the Lillywhites winning six of 16 duels and the Cherries five. We therefore cannot understand why the Bournemouth v Fulham betting odds are quite clearly in favor of a home win. We even go so far as to declare the away team the favorite in this clash.

Bournemouth – Fulham Tip

In summary of all the facts mentioned, we have decided on a point win for the guest team for the Bournemouth vs. Fulham betting tip. The Cottagers have been in much better form recently and even managed to beat the league leaders from Liverpool last weekend. In addition, the guests’ away record is also very respectable, so a draw or even a win is absolutely within the realms of possibility. Furthermore, the home side are currently far from their best and have lost five of their last eight competitive games.
If you are unsure about this clash and would rather not bet on a win, you should take the Bournemouth v Fulham odds for “both teams to score – yes”. When these two clubs meet, it is usually always a cracking game. For this reason, both teams have scored in six of the past seven meetings. In addition, an average of 3.60 goals have been scored per game, which should give us cause for optimism.