PREVIEW: Fulham host Crystal Palace with sights on bouncing back from City defeat | OneFootball

Fulham were within inches of achieving one of the Premier Leagues all time greatest comebacks in midweek against Manchester City; only a Joško Gvardiol clearance prevented the Cottagers from clawing back a 5-1 deficit to achieving an incredible 5-5 draw. Against Crystal Palace, they’ll be looking to go one or even two steps further.

When they found themselves 5-1 down at home to Manchester City courtesy of a deflected Jérémy Doku effort cannoning over Bernd Leno, few would have foreseen what the next half an hour would bring. A brace from substitute Samuel Chukwueze coupled with a goal from Alex Iwobi had Craven Cottage bouncing and Pep Guardiola shrinking. City held on but the belief that Fulham can take from the game will be huge for Marco Silva’s side.

Despite the positives that can be taken from midweek’s game, Fulham would have much rather had a point than pride, the West Londoners currently sit in 15th place and could be dragged right into a relegation scrap should they lose and other results go against them. A caveat to their league position is that nine out of Fulham’s 17 points have come in their last five games, including strong results against Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur.

As for their visitors, Only Arsenal can boast a better defensive record than Crystal Palace this season. Oliver Glasner’s side are once again massively impressing as they sit in fifth. The visitors’ goal has only been breached 11 times all season and players such as Marc Guéhi and Daniel Muñoz have been some of the league’s outstanding performers.

Palace have more than enough quality, even with the departure of Eberechi Eze in the summer, to compete for a top four place this season. However their recent form hasn’t been as bright as their season as a whole. They have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six Premier League games.

Fulham came out of their nine-goal spectacle with Manchester City free from any new injuries so Silva will only have Rodrigo Muniz and Antonee Robinson missing for the clash against Palace. Chukwueze showed what he can do against City and his performances will put him right in contention for a starting birth.

Palace also emerged from their victory away at Burnley unscathed. Glasner will be hoping that fullback Borna Sosa is available to provide more depth. Ismaïla Sarr is still recovering from a knock, while Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad will also likely be absent.

Predicted line-ups

FUL: Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, King; Chukwueze, Smith-Rowe, Iwobi; Jiménez