Fulham return to Premier League action at Craven Cottage, with a massive must-win clash against Aston Villa with European football a real possibility still for next season.
Fulham return to Craven Cottage for the first time since March 21 for a potentially season-defining clash with Aston Villa.
The Cottagers find themselves just three points off the European places with five matches to play and they begin that run at home to an Aston Villa side who have impressed this season.
It will be a challenge for Fulham to return to Europe for the first time since 2012, but it is one that the players and the fans alike are desperate to make happen, and for it to take place, you feel they will need to get something out of this weekend, or it may be another near miss.
With such a big game to be played, though, we look at the form of the two sides and the team that Marco Silva may select.
Form Guide
Fulham have picked up just one point from their two matches after the international break, losing to Liverpool at Anfield before a 0-0 draw with Brentford last Saturday.
At Craven Cottage, they played four matches in March, winning two of them, against Tottenham and Burnley, and losing to West Ham and Southampton in the FA Cup.
Villa have won three and drawn one of their four clashes since returning from the break, defeating Bologna 7-1 on aggregate in the Europa League quarter-final.
The Villans were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest, and they defeated Sunderland in dramatic circumstances to hold on for a 4-3 triumph.
Previous Meetings
The sides have met 79 times, dating back to a 5-0 win for Aston Villa in the FA Cup on March 4, 1905.
Villa hold a narrow edge, having won 31 of the clashes, while Fulham have won 26 matches and there have been 22 draws.
Fulham’s last win over Villa came way back in October 2022, with Villa winning the last six match-ups, including a 3-1 win in September at Villa Park.
Team News
Fulham had an injury scare to Alex Iwobi after the midfielder limped off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury in the draw with Brentford.
He is therefore a doubt, while Kenny Tete remains out with an ankle injury.
Harrison Reed is back fit, while Brazilian Kevin is out for the season with a foot injury.
Alex Iwobi is a doubt for Fulham's clash with Aston Villa. Image Credit: ReutersPredicted XI
Fulham: (4-2-3-1) Leno; Sessegnon, Bassey, Andersen (c), Castagne; Berge, Lukic; Bobb, King, Wilson; Jimenez
Odds
Bet365 have got this game being extremely tight, with Fulham at 7/4 and Aston Villa at 29/20, a draw fetches odds of 13/5.
What did Marco Silva say?
He has yet to give his press conference, this will be updated when he does.