Matchday 7 of the Premier League brings an attractive match at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth and Fulham will face each other in a duel that could define part of the fight for the European places in these first dates of the championship. The locals arrive with better sensations, while the Londoners need to regain confidence away from home.
Bournemouth: An Exciting Beginning
The team led by Andoni Iraola is proving that it can be one of the pleasant surprises of this season. With 11 points in six games, the "Cherries" are in sixth place, showing a dynamic style of play and a balance between attack and defense.
They have been solid at their home stadium: two wins and a draw in three appearances reflect the fact that Vitality Stadium has become a fortress. In addition, their average of almost 1.5 goals per game is evidence of an effective offense, with young players who are responding at key moments.
Their 2-2 draw against Leeds was a show of character, as they were able to bounce back in a difficult match. Although their defense still concedes chances, the combination of intensity and punch makes them a difficult opponent to beat.
Fulham: Irregularity Away from Home
Fulham, under Marco Silva, have not been able to maintain the consistency needed to move up the table. With 8 points from six games, they are in tenth position, although most of their problem is concentrated on their away performance.
In three outings, they have yet to win, with only one draw and two defeats. In addition, their scoring average drops away from Craven Cottage, which reflects the fact that the team loses some of its offensive capacity when playing away.
The 3-1 defeat against Aston Villa last week left worrisome sensations, especially in defense. Even so, they have players capable of unbalancing in attack, and they will look for a surprise in a field where historically they have not done well.
Performance Comparison
The numbers reflect a slight Bournemouth advantage, especially at home. Fulham depends on improving its defensive solidity and finding a balance to aspire to score in this match.
| Team | Points | Position | Goals scored | Goals against | Last 5 games | Performance home/visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth | 11 | 6º | 8 | 7 | 2V - 2E - 1D | 2V - 1E at home |
| Fulham | 8 | 10º | 7 | 8 | 3V - 0E - 2D | 0V - 1E - 2D visitor |
Recent History Between the Two
In the last five head-to-head meetings, Bournemouth dominates with three wins to Fulham's one, plus a draw. The most recent meeting in the Premier League favored the "Cherries" with a 1-0 win, reinforcing their recent superiority over this rival.
This could play an important role in the confidence of the home side, who have shown that they have the tools to control this type of close duels. Fulham, on the other hand, will be under pressure to reverse a negative trend.
Final Forecast
Everything points to a match with alternatives in both areas, although the advantage leans towards the locals. Bournemouth arrives in a better moment, with a solid performance at home and a squad that responds in key matches.
Fulham has offensive capacity, but their defensive problems as visitors may weigh on the result. Both teams are likely to score, but the home field factor and Bournemouth's consistency seem enough to decide the duel.
Prediction: Bournemouth wins in a match with goals in both goals, possibly 2-1.
MLB
