Fulham vs Aston Villa Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
Two games, seven goals conceded, and a grand total of zero points...the new season may be young but things are looking rather alarming for Fulham and Scott Parker so far in advance of their home game against Aston Villa on Monday.
The Cottagers showed a little bit of fight in the last half hour of their 4-3 defeat to Leeds last weekend, but with new signings continuing to bed in, and the defence looking just a little bit suspect, it could be a long season for the men in white.
By contrast, Villa fans have had some cause to feel tentatively optimistic in their second Premier League season since promotion. They have won all of their games against Premier League opposition thus far (ok, they have only played one) and are putting a little League Cup run together.
Read on for 90min's preview of a match which could well play its part in showing us who the league's relegation candidates are this season...
Where to Watch on TV
When is Kick Off? Monday 28 September
What Time is Kick Off? 17:45 (BST)
Where is it Being Played? Craven Cottage
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK)
Referee? Stuart Attwell
Team News
In what is surely a rarity during this stacked sporting schedule, Scott Parker confirmed that Fulham will be playing with tired legs but a full bill of health against the Villans on Monday.
Despite fears that Ezri Konsa had picked up a hamstring strain against Sheffield United last weekend, Villa are in a similar position, with only their long-term absentees unavailable.
That means that Tom Heaton and Wesley, who both picked up nasty knee injuries last season, won't be playing, while Björn Engels' own achilles problems will keep him out.
Predicted Lineups
Fulham: Areola; Tete, Hector, Ream, Bryan; Anguissa, Reed; Knockeart, Onomah, Cavaleiro; Mitrovic.
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Luiz, Hourihane; Traore, Watkins, Grealish.
Recent Form
Fulham have struggled to find the right balance in their side since promotion, and were given a not-so-warm welcome back to the Premier League in the form of a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal on opening day.
While EFL Cup victories over Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday will provide Parker with some solace, things need to change fast.
Villa, on the other hand, are currently three wins from three in all competitions this season, having again upgraded their squad with a number of exciting additions. A gruelling win over ten-man Sheffield United came either side of cup wins over Burton Albion and Bristol City, with Villa's new marksman Ollie Watkins featuring on the scoresheet on both occasions in the cup.
Here's how the two sides have fared recently (and not-so-recently)...
Fulham
Brentford 1-2 Fulham (4/8)
Fulham 0-3 Arsenal (12/9)
Ipswich 0-1 Fulham (16/9)
Leeds 4-3 Fulham (19/9)
Fulham 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday (23/9)
Aston Villa
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal (21/7)
West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa (26/7)
Burton Albion 1-3 Aston Villa (15/9)
Aston Villa 1-0 Sheffield United (21/9)
Bristol City 0-3 Aston Villa (24/9)
Prediction
Fulham looked rather chaotic at the back in their first two games, and with significant defensive reinforcements not forthcoming, it's a trend that you would expect to continue against Dean Smith's Villa side on Monday.
Equally, it does look as if they may be slightly more clued up on the attacking side of things, with the introduction of André-Frank Zambo Anguissa into the first-team picture giving the Cottagers a real helping hand against Leeds last weekend.
With Villa looking rather more assured and professional (so far) than they did last season, another Fulham loss seems to be on the cards. But in this free-scoring Premier League season, at least it won't be boring.
Prediction: Fulham 2-3 Aston Villa