Fulham – Aston Villa: Craven Cottage is set for a European night 
The opening game on Saturday in England takes us to London for a clash between two European hopefuls. Fulham host an Aston Villa side who are sitting pretty in the top four, but under pressure. The Londoners are in mid-table, but they are only a few points off the spots that lead into continental competition. Villa, meanwhile, are looking to strengthen their grip on a Champions League place next season. The Craven Cottage crowd will be expecting a big performance to shake up the pecking order.
Fulham’s home strength 
Marco Silva’s side have been built on a hugely impressive record at home this season. In fact, Fulham have picked up more than 64% of their points in front of their own fans, which makes them a difficult side to handle at Craven Cottage. Despite a few recent issues in front of goal, Fulham showed against Burnley that they can be ruthless when it clicks. The absence of key players like Tete has hurt them at the back, but Fulham still have enough depth to cope. Even so, the Cottagers need to start games with more purpose, because they have one of the worst first-half records in the division since the turn of the year. A win would drag Fulham right back into the pack and keep their hopes of a memorable finish alive.
Aston Villa’s cutting edge 
Unai Emery’s men are coming off a bonkers game against Sunderland and are carrying a sparkling attacking threat. Ollie Watkins, Villa’s main man, loves facing Fulham and will fancy adding to his numbers this weekend. If the attack is flying, the away defence is still a concern for the Spanish coach. The visitors have won just one of their last seven league trips, a weakness that could cost them. With a European semi-final coming up next week, squad management will be key if they are to avoid paying the price in the capital.
Probable lineups
Fulham : Leno ; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon ; Berge, Lukic ; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Bobb ; Jimenez
Aston Villa : Martinez ; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen ; Onana, Tielemans ; McGinn, Rogers, Sancho ; Watkins
Football prediction Fulham vs Aston Villa
Both teams to score
Villa’s firepower, led by the red-hot Watkins, should find a way through the London defence at least once. But the visitors’ shaky away defending gives Fulham’s forwards plenty of encouragement.
Fulham have always been tough to beat at Craven Cottage and usually find a way to nick a goal in front of their own crowd. Quick transitions and Smith Rowe’s quality on the ball could be constant problems for Emery’s back line.
Expect an open game with chances at both ends, and neither goalkeeper looks likely to keep a clean sheet.
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