Premier League | Gameweek 37

May 18, 2025 at 3pm UK

Brentford Community Stadium

Brentford vs Fulham

Match preview

After finishing 16th in the top flight during the 2024–25 campaign, Brentford are on course to qualify for a European competition for the first time in their history, provided they secure their highest-ever Premier League position over the next week.

The Bees are in red-hot form ahead of Sunday afternoon's crunch clash at the Gtech Community Stadium. They have enjoyed a six-game unbeaten run in the top flight of English football, collecting 14 points and netting an impressive 12 goals during this successful period as they chase a place in Europe.

Thomas Frank's team secured a fourth consecutive victory last Saturday afternoon at Portman Road, where the in-form German scored against the struggling Ipswich team. Kevin Schade squeezed his shot past Tractor Boy Alex Palmer to ensure a triumphant away day for Brentford.

Having last tasted defeat in the Premier League at St James' Park against Newcastle United in early April, the Bees are in pole position in eighth place as they look to pip Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth and Fulham to a Conference League berth, with 55 points from 36 games.

Recently nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award, Brentford talisman Bryan Mbeumo is especially deserving of a spot in the European spotlight next season. The Cameroonian has scored 18 goals and provided seven assists in 36 top-flight appearances.

Fulham are Europa League finalists, having faced Diego Forlán's Atlético Madrid in the 2010 final. They have more European experience than their top-eight rivals, but the west Londoners are beginning to stumble and stutter in their pursuit of the Conference League.

Ahead of this weekend's trip to the Gtech Community Stadium, the Cottagers have lost four of their last five Premier League matches, with the latest defeat coming last time out when Everton secured a 3-1 win at Craven Cottage with goals from Vitaliy Mykolenko, Michael Keane and Beto.

Having netted the opening goal for Marco Silva's team last weekend, Raúl Jiménez is returning to the heights of his Wolverhampton Wanderers days, having scored 11 goals in 36 top-flight games this season. The Mexican's resurgence will be greatly celebrated, even if Fulham fail to qualify for Europe.

Having earned just three points from their last five top-flight matches, the Cottagers have slumped to 11th place in the Premier League standings, with only two games remaining and knowing that they must beat Brentford on Sunday if they are to stand any chance of finishing eighth on 25 May.

Despite ranking 11th for away form, Silva's team have a relatively solid record outside of Craven Cottage, conceding just 22 goals in 18 matches — fewer than only Arsenal (16), Brentford (21), Everton (21) and Manchester City (21).

Recent Performance

Brentford Premier League form:DDWWWW

Fulham Premier League form:WLLWLL

Team News

Brentford could welcome Aaron Hickey back into the matchday squad for the first time since autumn 2023, following his recovery from a serious hamstring injury.

However, the flying Scotsman will need to work hard to earn a place in an in-form starting XI, with Keane Lewis-Potter and Michael Kayode currently excelling in full-back roles.

The Bees will be without influential midfielder Vitaly Janelt, who underwent surgery for a heel injury suffered in April.

Former Liverpool player Fabio Carvalho will also not feature again this season, as he is currently recovering from a shoulder injury.

Fulham have several first-team players receiving treatment, and the only one who could play again this season is midfielder Sasa Lukic.

Reiss Nelson's hamstring injury required surgery, meaning the Arsenal loanee is targeting a return to action with his parent club during pre-season.

Silva has limited options in midfield and at the back, with Timothy Castagne (ankle) and Harrison Reed (calf) both injured.

Possible starting lineup

Brentford possible starting lineup:

Flekken; Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Yarmolyuk; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade; Wissa

Fulham possible starting lineup:

Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Pereira, Berge; Traore, Smith Rowe, Willian; Jimenez