This Saturday, August 24th, Craven Cottage will host a Premier League match between Fulham and Leicester City in the second round of the 2024/25 season. Both teams will be eager to secure three points after mixed starts to their campaigns.
Fulham’s Quest for Redemption
Fulham enters this match looking to bounce back after a narrow 0-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford in their season opener. Despite the loss, Marco Silva’s men have shown promise in pre-season friendlies, securing wins against Hoffenheim (2-0) and Benfica (1-0). However, a 1-2 loss to Sevilla highlighted the need for sharper performances. The Cottagers will also be aiming to break their home winless streak, which dates back to March 16th. With a solid history against Leicester, having won 42 out of 88 encounters, Fulham will be confident of turning things around in front of their home fans.
Leicester’s Steady Return to the Premier League
Leicester City, under the new management of Steve Cooper, made a respectable return to the Premier League with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham. This result came after a challenging pre-season where the Foxes suffered three consecutive defeats. Leicester has been inconsistent on the road, with five losses and four wins since March, but their opening performance suggests they are ready to compete at the top level once again. Cooper’s side will be keen to build on their positive start and prove that they belong back in the Premier League.
Alex Iwobi: Fulham’s Big Star
One of the key players to watch in this match will be Fulham’s new signing, Alex Iwobi. The Nigerian international joined the Cottagers on the final day of the autumn 2023 transfer window for €25.7 million, following a successful stint at Everton, where he made 140 appearances, scored 9 goals, and provided 16 assists. Last season, Iwobi quickly became a crucial part of Fulham’s squad, scoring 5 goals and adding 2 assists in 30 appearances. His ability to influence the game will be vital for Fulham’s chances against Leicester.
Bookmakers have taken note of Iwobi’s impact, with 1xBet offering odds of 4.75 for him to score the first goal in this match.
Match Prediction
This match is shaping up to be a closely contested battle, with both teams having something to prove. Fulham will be desperate to claim their first win of the season and end their poor home form, while Leicester will look to continue their strong start under Cooper’s guidance.
With the firepower of Alex Iwobi and the Cottagers’ historical edge over Leicester, Fulham might just edge this encounter, but expect a tightly-fought contest with opportunities for both sides.
The odds for Fulham’s victory at 1xBet are 1.852, while the Foxes odds to win are estimated at 4.325.
