Fulham welcomes Tottenham Hotspur for a London derby on Sunday, with both teams still chasing European ambitions in various competitions this season.
Nolan James Mar 16
Fulham’s Season So Far
Fulham have enjoyed a strong campaign under Marco Silva, continuing their steady improvement each season. Currently sitting 10th in the Premier League after 28 matches, the Cottagers remain in contention for European qualification, trailing Brighton & Hove Albion—the team occupying the final European spot—by just four points.
Beyond their league ambitions, Fulham also have their sights set on an FA Cup run. They recently knocked out defending champions Manchester United in the fifth round, keeping alive the possibility of securing a UEFA Europa League place through cup success.
Tottenham’s Struggles and European Hopes
For Tottenham Hotspur, European aspirations rest largely on their progress in the UEFA Europa League. Ange Postecoglou's men have reached the quarter-finals after edging past AZ Alkmaar with a 3-2 aggregate victory. This success offers some relief for Spurs, who have underwhelmed in the Premier League, sitting 13th after 28 games.
Their domestic form has been inconsistent, making their European campaign even more crucial. With time running out to climb the league table, Spurs will be desperate to turn things around, starting with a strong performance in this London derby.
The reverse fixture between these two sides ended in a 1-1 draw, with goals from Brennan Johnson and Tom Cairney. Notably, Cairney received a straight red card late in the match.
Historically, Tottenham have had the upper hand in this fixture, winning three of the last five league meetings. However, goals have been scarce in recent encounters—four of the last five matchups have seen fewer than 2.5 goals, and discipline has been relatively controlled, with fewer than 4.5 bookings per game.
Fulham’s Recent Performances
Fulham come into this clash in solid form, winning three of their last five league games:
Notably, they have struck first in five of their last six matches in all competitions, including Calvin Bassey’s opener at Old Trafford in their FA Cup triumph.
At home, Fulham’s form has been mixed, with just one win in their last five—against Nottingham Forest. They have suffered defeats to Crystal Palace (0-2) and Manchester United (0-1) while drawing against Bournemouth and Ipswich.
Tottenham’s Recent Performances
Spurs have struggled on the road, losing three of their last five away league games:
Defensive frailties have been a key concern, with Tottenham failing to keep a clean sheet in their last five outings. Their Premier League form has also been shaky, with a loss to Manchester City followed by a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
This fixture is a tough one to call, despite the gap in the league standings. Fulham’s recent form, coupled with their strong FA Cup performance, gives them a slight edge. They have scored first in five of their last six matches, but their defensive record remains a concern, with no clean sheets in their previous six games.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have struggled both defensively and on the road, losing three of their last five away matches. That said, they have troubled Fulham in past meetings, scoring first in six of the last eight encounters.
While Spurs have the quality to threaten, Fulham’s current momentum at home might prove decisive. Expect a closely fought contest, but the Cottagers could just edge this one with a narrow victory.
