Burnley's unlikely quest to avoid relegation from the Premier League continues with an away trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
The Clarets are currently nine points off of the pace with just eight games left to play, and realistically need a miracle to finish above water come the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Fulham are just outside of the top half of the table in 11th, and not too many points away from the European places as they aim to push towards them with victory here.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our free expert Premier League predictions!
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Fulham vs Burnley key stats
- Fulham have won three of their last five home league games (L2),
- Burnley are winless in five matches in all competitions (D2, L3).
- The previous five H2Hs have averaged three goals per game.
Fulham vs Burnley preview: Cottagers to scrape past Clarets?
| Fulham | vs | Burnley |
|---|---|---|
| 11th | Position | 19th |
| 41 | Points | 20 |
| 40 | Goals For | 32 |
| 43 | Goals Against | 58 |
| 6 | Clean Sheets | 4 |
| 8th | Home Rank | 19th |
| 15th | Away Rank | 19th |
Fulham are remarkably only eight points away from the top five, which is expected to be enough for Champions League football next season given England's strong coefficient in Europe.
A solid campaign has seen the Cottagers ease any potential fears of relegation, and strive more towards the European places.
Harry Wilson is just one goal away from reaching double figures in the league.
A recent slump has seen them drop into the bottom half of the table though, but they should still fancy themselves at home against relegation-threatened Burnley.
A late charge into Europe could also persuade in-demand manager Marco Silva to stay, as well as star player Harry Wilson, whose contract is up in the summer.
As for Burnley, former Fulham boss Scott Parker has the almighty task of trying to keep the Clarets up.
A disappointing January transfer window saw James Ward-Prowse as the only notable signing brought in to help bolster the squad, and it already looks like the business done on top of the summer was not enough.
Burnley have won just once in 10 games.
Burnley simply look like they lack quality, with their defence particularly poor having leaked the most goals in the league (58).
Their recent record against Fulham has actually been promising, with just one defeat in seven in all competitions, although that was in the reverse fixture earlier this season where the Cottagers won 3-2.
Fulham vs Burnley form guide & betting tips
| Fulham | vs | Burnley |
|---|---|---|
| D-W-L-W-W | League Form | D-L-L-W-W |
| 7 | Points | 5 |
| 10th | Form Table | 15th |
| 5 | Goals For | 7 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 9 |
| W-W-L-L-D | Form (all comps) | L-D-L-L-D |
Whispers predicts: Fulham 2-1 Burnley
Fulham are expectedly 4/7 favourites with bookmakers on home soil, and we feel inclined to back the hosts here.
However, we do not think it will be plain-sailing for them given recent patchy form, and so BTTS - Yes at 10/11 with bet365 appeals to us.
The same odds can be offered by bet365 for Harry Wilson to score or assist at 10/11, which also appeals given that he contributed to all three of Fulham's goals in the reverse fixture (G1, A2).
In terms of a more ambitious bet, both teams were involved in 0-0 draws last time out, which makes us want to explore the correct score market.
Thus, the Correct score - 1st half - 0-0 at 23/10 with Paddy Power could be worth backing, which would represent a cagey first 45 minutes as has been the case in a number of Premier League games this season.
In conclusion, we believe that Fulham will just edge this one, and our 2-1 scoreline prediction is available at 8/1 with some bookmakers.
> BTTS - Yes at 10/11 | Likelihood: Probable
> Harry Wilson to score or assist at 10/11 | Likelihood: Probable
> Correct score - 1st half - 0-0 at 23/10 | Likelihood: Possible