Mitrovic return to inspire goals at the Cottage
Fulham host Aston Villa to round off the midweek’s Premier League action in aiming to address a three-game winless run in the Premier League.
Marco Silva’s men are stuttering after an impressive start to the season and will be realistic in looking over their shoulders and hoping to stay above the dotted line.
A lot of teams starting the season slowly has propped up the Cottagers for a while, but picking up a victory against Villa would make the table look very different for them at this early stage.
The pressure is mounting on Steven Gerrard’s shoulders in the Villa dugout, and it would be no surprise to see the former England captain dismissed if they do taste defeat in West London.
Process
Defensively, Fulham’s data is very concerning.
The Cottagers have conceded 20 goals from 10 outings, allowing chances on their own goal equating to 22.4 expected goals (xG) against at an average of 2.24 xGA per game.
Fulham have overperformed to score 16 goals from 13 xGF, creating chances at a concerning 1.3 xGF per game, not a horrendous attacking process but considering their leaky defence, it is a process on the whole that will drag them towards the bottom three.
Villa have scored just seven goals in ten games so far this season and have been very toothless in the final third.
There is enough attacking talent in the squad for Villa to be in the top half of Premier League sides in the final third, but at the moment they are generating just 1.25 xGF per game, they are underperforming but the lack of conviction in a number of areas means it is no surprise to see them struggling in front of goal.
They are much better than Fulham defensively, but with Aleksandar Mitrovic back for the Cottagers it is hard to imagine them keeping a clean sheet.
Goals?
There may be a smidgeon of value on the hosts as outsiders, with the pressure on Gerrard and questions over whether he is getting the best out of the squad at his disposal.
At Craven Cottage under the lights, I would lean towards the hosts, but a goals angle is backable and more enticing.
Fulham have scored in eight of ten.
Fulham have conceded in nine of ten.
Fulham have seen both teams score in eight of ten.
Fulham have seen over 2.5 goals in eight of ten.
Villa have scored in six of ten.
Villa have conceded in seven of ten.
Villa have seen both teams score in six of ten.
Villa have seen over 2.5 goals in four of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
3-0 Fulham, goodbye Gerrard.