English Premier
2025-12-22 - Fulham vs Nottingham Forest
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Monday 22nd December 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Fulham
Marco Silva will have been disappointed in seeing his Fulham team concede another late goal at St James' Park and this time it cost his side a place in the League Cup Semi Final. However, last weekend they showed plenty of character and quality in edging to the three points at Turf Moor and that is a victory that has allowed Fulham to pull a little clear of the relegation zone.
They are 14th in the Premier League table and Fulham are now 7 points ahead of West Ham United in 18th place. The key for Fulham has been the form at Craven Cottage where the side have a 4-1-3 record and have scored 14 goals.
Fulham have lost 3 of the last 4 games played in all competitions since beating Tottenham Hotspur in North London, while they have conceded at least twice in 4 straight games. One concern for the manager has to be the fact that Fulham have lost their last 2 games at Craven Cottage against Manchester City and Crystal Palace.
Sasa Lukic picked up a knock last Wednesday and is a doubt. Otherwise the squad that travelled to the North East should be available for selection.
Nottingham Forest
The main priority for Sean Dyche as manager of Nottingham Forest is keeping the club in the Premier League and wins like the one achieved against Tottenham Hotspur will certainly push them in the right direction. He may be looking for some reinforcements to be signed in the January transfer window, especially if Nottingham Forest want to make a serious attempt at winning the Europa League.
An important win last Sunday has moved Nottingham Forest up into 16th place in the Premier League table and they are now 5 points clear of former manager Nuno Espirito Santo's West Ham United. The Tricky Trees have a 2-2-4 away record in the top flight where they have scored 6 goals and conceded 12.
Nottingham Forest have won 3 of the last 4 games in all competitions and they will certainly feel like they have some momentum behind them. They did lose their last away Premier League game 3-0 at Everton, but Nottingham Forest had won games at Liverpool and Wolves prior to that defeat.
Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare have travelled for the African Cup of Nations. Ryan Yates is expected to miss out with an injury, while Chris Wood needs a bit more recovery time. Both Matz Sels and Nicolas Dominguez may appreciate this fixture being played on Monday night as they look to shake off knocks.
Head to Head
Fulham did the Premier League double over Nottingham Forest last season.
Fulham have now won 3 straight at Craven Cottage against this opponent.
Prediction
The final Premier League game to be played before Christmas Day takes place at Craven Cottage on Monday evening and both Fulham and Nottingham Forest would love to pick up the three points and further ease relegation concerns.
Both teams will feel they have shown enough in the last few weeks to suggest they will find enough points to avoid dropping out of the Division, but that will mean avoiding sustained slumps in form.
Nottingham Forest are certainly producing a bit more than Fulham in recent games after the thumping win over Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday. Before losing at Everton, they had also won consecutive away Premier League games and so there is little doubt they will make the trip down to West London full of belief.
At the same time, Fulham have been very competitive in recent games, but have looked vulnerable at the back and that has been exposed in defeats. Even the win at Burnley came in a fixture in which Fulham conceded twice and that has to be a concern when going up against this Nottingham Forest team.
Sean Dyche will want his team to counter Fulham, which is where Nottingham Forest can be very dangerous, although containing the home attack will not be easy.
Recent years have seen Fulham find the right solutions to deal with Nottingham Forest and the feeling is that they will have a bit more in the final third.
Sharing three or more goals would not be a surprise, but it feels like backing Fulham on any 'draw no bet' market is perhaps a more comfortable selection.
Fulham have lost consecutive home Premier League games, but they conceded late to Crystal Palace and gave Manchester City a massive scare. As well as Nottingham Forest have played of late, the defeat at Everton came after a battling win over struggling Wolves and the feeling is that Fulham come out on top of a high-scoring game.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Fulham 2-1 Nottingham Forest
