Fulham defeated Aston Villa at the weekend to put themselves right back into contention for the European places. But, with four matches to go, what do they actually need?
Fulham’s win over Aston Villa was massive.
Not only did it stop the rot after the international break, with a goal finally scored in the process, but it kept them firmly in the hunt for European football.
The Cottagers are desperately searching for their first venture into continental competition since the 2012 season, when they were in the Europa League and without a win over Villa, it was certainly not on the cards.
But, victory over the Villans brought Fulham back into contention.
As well as winning though, Fulham were handed a bunch of results that went in their favour, not least Sunderland losing 5-0 at home to Nottingham Forest.
Everton were also defeated by West Ham and Brentford too lost to Manchester United.
It was pretty much a perfect weekend for Marco Silva’s men.
But, as always in football, it is all about looking ahead, and Fulham have now got four matches to go for the rest of the season.
But what do they need from those four games to earn qualification into the European places?
Well, let’s look at the fixtures first, Fulham face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium next - the league leaders and the best team in the Premier League at home.
Fulham’s away form has been pretty dire all season, they have won only four matches on the road and that does not seem like a game they will turn that around in.
So, we can safely assume they pick nothing up there, but this is where it gets interesting.
Bournemouth at home is a game of huge magnitude.
The Cherries have not lost in the Premier League since January 3 and currently sit in seventh, a point ahead of Fulham and occupying the second Europa League spot.
Fulham are among the top teams at home and have won 32 of their 48 points at Craven Cottage.
So it is a battle between two strong teams who are chasing European adventures.
Then Fulham go to Wolves away and Newcastle home.
Both of these teams have been dire, Wolves all season, and Newcastle in recent weeks.
Wolves have won just three matches all season, and although all of them were at home, they appear to have given up based on their form in recent weeks.
Newcastle too have been shocking away from home for the duration of the campaign and have now lost their last four matches.
Fulham, if they want European football will need six points from those two matches.
I had previously made a predicted table for the end of the season before the gameweek 34.
It looked like this:
6. Brighton 59
7. Bournemouth 56
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8. Sunderland 54
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9. Fulham 53
10. Everton 53
11. Brentford 52
12. Chelsea 52
Now, after results at the weekend - here is a new prediction:
6. Brighton 59
7. Fulham 55
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8. Bournemouth 54
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9. Chelsea 53
10. Brentford 52
11. Everton 52
12. Sunderland 50
You may see that my predictions on Fulham’s results have not changed, I think they lose to Arsenal, draw to Bournemouth and win their last two matches.
But the difference now is, with three points instead of the one I had previously allocated against Aston Villa, seven points from the last four matches may well be enough for European football.
Fingers crossed I am right come May.