Sunderland visit Craven Cottage to face Fulham in the Premier League. Last time out Sunderland drew with Arsenal and Fulham lost at Everton, Brian Brobbey scoring his first Sunderland goal as the Black Cats came from behind to draw 2-2 with Arsenal and move up to fourth place in the Premier League. Dan Ballard and Omar Alderete were both sent off during the international break and return to training fresher than expected. Noah Sadiki and Arthur Masuaku both played the full 120 minutes as DR Congo beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties on Sunday, keeping their 2026 FIFA World Cup dream alive. Fulham lost 2-0 at Everton with goals from Gueye and Keane, the Cottagers, dropping to 15th place with 11 points and just one win in six games. Fulham manager, Marco Silva, has not signed a new contract and there is increased speculation about his future at the club. Upcoming fixtures could determine his fate. After the international break, they host Sunderland, one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season, then comes a brutal double-header against Tottenham and Manchester City. Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze all started the game for Nigeria v DR Congo. Striker Rodrigo Muniz had surgery on a hamstring injury and will be out until the new year. Regis le Bris: “We felt that Brian (Brobbey) had improved a lot, he needed time to change from another club, a new league, a new country and new teammates. He has worked hard and he deserved this reward. Our four substitutes were really important. “This league is really demanding, but our game model is also really demanding. “Our players don’t just stay wide and wait for the next pass, they work hard with the squad, otherwise you can’t defend against a strong side like Arsenal. “They worked well for 60 minutes and then we introduced four new players onto the pitch, and those finishers helped to maintain the energy and the quality of the organisation.” “They all have different profiles as well. “When you start the game with Wilson (Isidor) up front, you know that he will be a threat in behind even though he has the ability to hold the ball up. With Brian (Brobbey) you have a totally different profile, but he is a good goalscorer as well.” Presser on Thursday at 13:30 <tbc> Marco Silva: "It was a disappointing result for us, but more than the result, it was a very disappointing performance. We got what we deserved from the game, definitely. We played 20 minutes in all the game, I think. We lost the game through the physicality, we could not handle at all the physicality of Everton side." Form: Match Appointments: Referee: DARREN ENGLAND Assistant Referee: Scott Ledger Assistant Referee: Akil Howson Fourth Official: Tim Robinson Video Assistant Referee: Neil Davies Additional Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Burt Expected team lineups: Sunderland AFC: Roefe, Reinildo, Ballard, Alderete, Mukiele, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Traore, Talbi, Isidor. Subs: Patterson, Geertruida, Hume, O’Nien, Neil, Rigg, Adingra, Mayenda, Brobbey. Injured: Alese, Cirkin, Hjelde, Mundle, Diarra. Fulham FC: Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon, King, Berge, Kevin, Iwobe, Wilson, Jiménez. Substitutes: Lecomte, Castagne, Cairney, Chukwueze, Cuenka, Smith-Rowe, Traoré, Kusi-Asare, Amissah. Injured: Muniz, Robinson Suspended: Lukic Betting Odds: Sunderland 14/5 Fulham 21/20 Draw 21/10 My two pence: Fulham are behind the Saudis and only one point clear of the relegation places, Marco Silva’s job is on the line and he’s feeling the pressure. They don’t like the physical approach and struggled against Everton. Fulham away is always a great day out, it’s one of easiest away days for me and I’ll be there hoping to pick up a spare ticket. I’m going for a 1-0 away win, but I would be happy with a point. Live Stream: TBC Ha’way the Lads
Fancy another draw here and would be delighted with that. Tough game despite Fulham struggling a little recently
Again head says draw but heart says win. With the same team that started against Arsenal we should be too strong for a fragile Fulham.
Early thank you RTB for setting the scene , looking forward to another Premiership game without fear is like living in dreamland, team seems to pick itself these days and as has been said by others , whilst hoping for a win and three more precious points , a draw is still another step in the right direction. OaU/
Thank you RTB for a fine prelude, I'm all in for a win on this game most of the lads who were away for their countries, put a good shift in so i think mentally they will be chomping at the bit to get into them, As for Fulham they have had a shaky start so all it would take is an early goal to completely unsettle them. In fact even a good bout of sustained pressure could result in a goal, and this could then open the flood gates. This is the scenario I'm hoping for onwards and upwards haway the lads.
If Fulham recover their mojo they're a very solid team and a draw would but be a good result, but as it doesn't look like they'll be sacking their manager this week I'm hoping they're still fragile, in which case attack attack attack!
Of course it would be, just like any PL point away from home is good as a newly promoted club. Keep us ticking along
I think people (including our own fans) need to stop thinking of us like just another promoted team. We've spent big and, more importantly, we've spent WELL. We're not like any other promoted side in recent history. We signed players who were in the Champions League last season. Players who were statistically the best in their position in La Liga last year. Our captain was recently instrumental to one of the most successful Bundesliga seasons of all time and voted as one of the best players in the world, and hasn't lost a step. We're 4th in the league on merit, and Fulham are struggling against relegation; we're better than them all over the park. Delighted with a draw? Sod that, anything less than 3 points would be disappointing, imo
I think if Fulham stick with their style of play and tactics we will win this. However the manager they have is sensible enough to know this so they may switch it up on us. From what I have seen of them I still think RLB and the team will have too much for Fulham in most areas, so if we turn up on the day I think we win. I am going to predict a 0-2.
Cracking thread as always @RTB, thanks. Interesting that Silva reckons they struggled physically against Everton last time out. If all our lads return from international duty unscathed I hope that we can give them more trouble physically. I’m going 3-1 to the lads, Nordi, Noah and Brobbey.
Sunderland have just beaten Chelsea away, invincible for a year ono, given the league leaders their toughest game and scored four goals in doing so. Fulham's form isn't 'poor', it absolutely stinks and only worse than Wolves. If we have half the ambition, I believe we have, that team will go for a the three points that'll keep us where we've deserved to be so far. I can't believe anyone thinks we should go to a club, deep in a relegation battle, hoping to grind out a point. This is exactly the kind of game we need to be targetting and I'll be gutted if we don't win.
Thinking the worst, how exactly? I’ve predicted a draw away from home against an established PL club. Literally not a single thing wrong with that. No wonder so many posters have stopped bothering here lately with muppets like you posting.
