Image source, Getty ImagesThree of the past four Premier League meetings between Manchester United and Fulham have been won by the away side, with each of these victories coming courtesy of a 90th-minute winning goal (United twice, Fulham once).
Image source, Fulham FCFulham have unveiled their third kit for the 2024-25 season.
"Fulham will step out in an all-purple third strip, featuring a striking multi-layered camo graphic print in an exciting mix of purple and blue hues," a club statement said about the shirt.
What do you make of of the kit, Fulham fans? Will you be adding it to your collection?
It's that time of the year again - the annual act of foolishness in which I try to predict the outcome of the 2024-25 season for all 20 Premier League clubs.
Fulham - 13th
Fulham finished in a comfortable position last season despite losing key striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. This time manager Marco Silva must do the same after losing outstanding midfielder man Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich and key defensive duo Tosin Adarabioyo to Chelsea and Tim Ream to Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC.
Silva, however, has proved himself adept at dealing with such matters and the acquisition of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal could be a masterstroke, a talented player loved by Gunners fans who simply could not force his way into regular contention.
Ryan Sessegnon has made a popular return from Tottenham and if defender Diego Carlos can arrive from Aston Villa then Silva can be satisfied with a decent summer.
Calvin Bassey was a growing force in defence last season while striker Rodrigo Muniz developed rapidly. Silva will count on him.
Much will depend on Silva himself but think Fulham will have a relatively untroubled season.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup has been made.
Here is the list of the ties - which are split into southern and northern sections - involving Premier League clubs:
South
AFC Wimbledon v Ipswich Town
Brighton & Hove Albion v Crawley Town
Birmingham City v Fulham
Cardiff City v Southampton
Colchester United v Brentford
Crystal Palace v Norwich City
West Ham United v Bournemouth
North
Everton v Doncaster Rovers
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United
Leicester City v Tranmere Rovers
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley
The games will take place in w/c 26 August.
Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League opener at Manchester United (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Silva said his side have to be "confident" despite being "one of the only teams that is going to compete in the Premier League that has lost four senior players".
He added: "We have to deal with it. We have a lot of work to do in the next two and a half weeks in the market because we need it. Now we have have to rebuild again like we did last season."
On whether knowing they need more players makes the job harder: "At this stage of the season I would like to have all the squad we need and have them prepared. It is always same story. It is what it is. We have been working hard. We're not 100% yet, but we are going to be ready for the game."
Silva confirmed Fulham are "definitely" going to sign someone to replace Joao Palhinha and also another centre-back.
On reports linking the Whites with Premier League defenders like Joachim Andersen of Crystal Palace: "It is clear when you lose two centre-backs [you need replacements]. We signed Jorge Cuenca and we are pleased to have him with us. He will be a big surprise for everyone who doesn't know him. But we need another centre-back if we are going to cope this season."
On if he has been impressed by Emile Smith Rowe's performances: "I will be more impressed in the future. The best thing that can happen for a player like him is to have an impact straight away - and he has."
Silva added: "The main thing for me [in signing him] was to feel the desire from Emile to come to our football club. That made me push to convince our board to have him in our club. He is a statement for us. Last season was tough for him, but he is a top talent and we want to help him play his best level again."
On recent form against Manchester United: "There has been fine margins. The reality is we have been a match for them. I'm excited to be at Old Trafford and to start there - the environment is going to be very good. They will want to start on the front foot - but they know what we are capable of."
Chris Collinson
BBC Sport football statistician
As their stats show, Fulham were the quintessential "top half of the bottom half" side in the Premier League last time out, fluctuating around 13th for most of the season before finally finishing there.
Despite selling star striker Aleksandr Mitrovic last summer, Fulham remarkably scored the same number of goals, had more shots and a higher xG than in 2022-23.
Although they did concede eight more goals, they actually ranked higher in their defensive stats than in the previous campaign.
Pressing might be all the rage these days but Marco Silva's side avoided any relegation worries by sitting back, with only relegated Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest winning the ball in the final third less often.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday at the conclusion of the first-round tie between Leeds United and Middlesbrough.
Thirteen Premier League clubs will enter in the second round, as will Luton Town and Burnley, who were relegated from the top flight in 18th and 19th positions last season.
The draw for round two will be regionalised into northern and southern sections.
The seven Premier League clubs playing in European competitions in 2024-25, including Carabao Cup holders Liverpool, will come in at the third-round stage.
The key dates for the competition are as follows:
Second round - w/c 26 August
Third round - w/c 16 and w/c 23 September
Fourth round - w/c 28 October
Quarter-finals - w/c 16 December
Semi-finals - w/c 6 January (first leg) and w/c 3 February
Final - 16 March
Follow Wednesday's action and then the full draw here from 19:30 BST
Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesFulham have made a second bid for Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen, believed to be £25m plus £5m in add-ons, sources have told BBC Sport.
Palace rejected Fulham’s first bid of £20m on Monday and value the Denmark international at closer to £40m.
Andersen spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Craven Cottage while at Lyon before joining Palace.
Drew Heatley
Fan writer
Where will you finish in the league and why?
I am going for 10th. We have done well so far this summer to lower the average age of the squad - Willian and club stalwart Tim Ream have both gone. Former Fulham favourite Ryan Sessegnon, along with Jorge Cuenca - both 24 - have come in. These seem like the right moves to make to spark upward trajectory.
Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?
It is always hard to call at Fulham because the Khans traditionally love the brinkmanship of the window and always make many moves on deadline day - but Emile Smith Rowe became our record signing at the start of August, which looks a real statement of intent. He got off the mark on his debut too - so expectations are high.
What do you want from your manager this season?
To stay until the end of the season! Marco Silva has rehabilitated his reputation at Fulham - it is the longest he has stayed at a club - but we all know we are in the autumn of his incredible tenure. We are all hoping for him to go out with the bang his time at the club deserves.
Who will be the breakout star in your squad?
Last year it was Rodrigo Muniz, this term all eyes are on young English forward Jay Stansfield. He impressed in a poor Birmingham side last season and we are all hoping Silva starts to use him. But Marco's track record with our academy is the only negative you could level at him.
What is your one major concern?
At the time of writing we have not replaced Tosin Adarabioyo at centre-back, with no concrete rumours circulating - and, more worryingly, there is a Joao Palhinha-shaped hole in our midfield. I suspect it will take more than one man to fill it too.
You can get more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish, external
Aston Villa, Fulham and Crystal Palace are all in the race to sign Chelsea's 25-year-old English centre-back Trevoh Chalobah. (Football Insider), external
Manchester City are willing to let 28-year-old England midfielder Kalvin Phillips leave on loan, with Ipswich, Everton and Fulham all interested. (Manchester Evening News), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
After a long summer break, BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club is back in action this evening.
Tune in as the panel cover all the major talking points from the summer and look ahead to Premier League football returning at the weekend.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesCrystal Palace have rejected the £20m offer from Fulham for centre back Joachim Andersen.
It is understood that the bid was rejected at the time of the offer and no subsequent bid had been made.
The Eagles value the 28-year-old defender at closer to £40m.
Fulham also had a bid rejected for Aston Villa defender Diego Carlos last week.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe curtain opens on the 2024-25 Premier League season in just a matter of days, so why not take a look at how all 20 clubs performed in pre-season?
The games have been spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Crawley and Preston.
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's pre-season friendly between Hoffenheim and Fulham.
Here are some of your comments:
Will: Perfect end to pre-season, really think that Emile Smith Rowe is the future of this club. Adama also really improving. Manchester United get ready.
Garry: We looked good today, the team is starting to really come together. Adama was fantastic, his runs were immense and his finishing was clinical. Great link-up play between Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe. Second goal from Emile shows he's fitted in nicely. Excellent vision from Bassey for the cross to Adama and Robinson looking really sharp. Still need a striker and a centre-back.
Steven: I believe Fulham have been very good and solid this pre-season. This really gives me hope for a top-half finish this season, maybe even European football.
Luke: Promising. The press was scarily good and we shocked a very press-proven side with how good it was. The left flank linked up really well but lack of service for Muniz worried me.
Tim: We looked good on the ball, and it feels like we should get a few more goals from midfield this season. Slightly concerned about Muniz failing to get on the scoresheet again though, we need our strikers to be firing, especially as with Palhinha gone we're likely to concede more.
Image source, Getty ImagesFulham rounded off their pre-season campaign with victory in Germany against Bundesliga side Hoffenheim.
Goals in each half from new man Emile Smith Rowe and winger Adama Traore ensured Marco Silva's side warmed up for Friday Premier League opener at Manchester United in style.
So are the Whites ready for the big kick-off?
What did you learn from this game, Fulham fans?
Let us know your thoughts on the match here, external - and return on Monday to read the submissions
Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesFulham have had a bid rejected for Aston Villa defender Diego Carlos.
Fulham are looking at a number of possibilities to strengthen their centre-back options after Tosin Adarabioyo left for Chelsea on a free transfer and Tim Ream joined Charlotte FC.
The Cottagers completed the signing of Jorge Cuenca earlier this week from Villarreal as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the new season.
Fulham have stepped up their interest in Aston Villa defender Diego Carlos. The 31-year-old Brazilian is expected to leave before the transfer window shuts and Villa are open to offers. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter
Right now, brinkmanship is the name of the game. There have been times when some clubs sorted their transfer business early in the window and everyone wondered why so few others followed their lead. Put simply, it isn't in the selling clubs' financial interest, and it usually isn't in the moving player's financial interest either, to go early.
A selling club wants a bidding war to up the price and they don't mind a bit of panic buying when the window is creaking ever nearer the sill. If you still haven't signed that star player who you think, hope or maybe even actually believe, will make all the difference, clubs can get twitchy and make rash costly decisions.
I have watched it happen from within. Good intentions and a willingness to stick to a pre-arranged budget, suddenly evaporates when clubs are bounced into making these calls. There is also a bit of pride in there too. "We aren't losing out on our first choice to that lot!" is a common refrain, especially when it's to one of your close rivals.
As for the moving player, or more specifically his agent, last-minute brinkmanship is the dream scenario. Playing two or three suitors off against each other (and you don't even have to tell the truth of what you are being offered elsewhere) means you can exaggerate as much as you like to up the ante.
So that is why the deals go to the wire, and why they are so lucrative. It is also why I never have too much sympathy for a player, when a huge deal falls through at the last moment. Greed can push it too far in the end and it can all come crashing down, which is why they call it brinkmanship! If you dance on the edge of a volcano you might just fall in.
Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesCharlotte FC manager Dean Smith has spoken of the importance of adding Fulham defender Tim Ream to his squad.
The 36-year-old has ended his nine-year spell at Fulham to sign a two-year deal at one of Major League Soccer's newest franchises, with an option for an extra year included.
He will link up with former Aston Villa, Leicester and Brentford manager Smith, who told BBC Sport: "I felt we needed more national team and American players in the squad. We haven't got the biggest American numbers in the squad, but it's for obvious reasons because we are a new club.
"The top Americans are the more expensive ones to take and as a new club we probably had to throw our cast further afield.
"Now we are two and a half years old and we have got the chance to go and sign a top Premier League player and he's coming in as a member of the men's national team.
"His experience and calibre and his leadership are certainly something that will boost us in the dressing room."
Ream revealed his aims were to push towards the play-offs and fight for Charlotte's first trophy and he could make his debut against New York Red Bulls on 24 August.
