Fulham

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's match (15:00 BST), with Alvaro Arbeloa seeking his first points as Fulham boss against his former club Liverpool.

Reds on a roll

Liverpool are chasing a third win in the space of eight days after Andoni Iraola's first Premier League victory as Reds boss, a comfortable 2-0 success at Ipswich, was followed by Wednesday's victory over Atletico Madrid in his first Champions League match as a manager.

Alexander Isak scored twice at Portman Road, meaning he has already equalled his league tally from an injury-disrupted 2025-26 campaign, and the Swede is now aiming to score in three consecutive top-flight games for the first time in 18 months.

Summer signing Bradley Barcola, meanwhile, is set to make his first Premier League appearance at Anfield. His home debut in midweek did not quite go to plan, with the 24-year-old missing some clear-cut chances before being forced off with cramp after an hour.

Barcola will be keen to open his account sooner rather than later, and a game against opponents who historically struggle on Merseyside could provide the ideal opportunity to begin repaying his sizeable transfer fee.

Liverpool have lost only two of their 33 home league matches versus Fulham and won 2-0 when the sides last met in April.

Arbeloa targets lift-off on Anfield return

Fulham are one of two pointless sides in this season's Premier League, along with newly promoted Coventry City, and a fourth straight defeat would leave the omens looking a little bleak for the west Londoners.

The only previous top-flight campaigns in which they lost their opening four matches were 1951-52 and 2020-21, with both seasons ending in relegation.

The Whites, who host Manchester United next weekend in their final game before the three-week international break, have shown plenty of attacking endeavour under new boss Arbeloa and lead the league for touches in the opposition box.

But they have been alarmingly open out of possession, conceding a league-high 14 big chances and recording an expected goals against figure of 6.2, the second highest in the top flight.

Arbeloa spent two and a half years at Liverpool and came off the bench in their Champions League final defeat by AC Milan in 2007.

But history offers little encouragement on his return to Anfield. Liverpool have won all five previous Premier League matches against managers who represented the club as players in the competition.

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Liverpool at Anfield (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no new injuries to report, while Tom Cairney, who is recovering from minor left knee surgery, should be nearing a return to training after the two-week international break.

• On some fans booing the Crystal Palace performance: "We are a very strong team when our fans are behind us. Obviously we want to give everything on the pitch for them. They want to see us win games - we know that - but we are stronger with them behind us."

• Arbeloa admitted to "learning more" about his group of players following the defeat, after Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe deleted all of their club-related Instagram posts and Kevin posted a cryptic Instagram story.

• He added: "They have all worked with a very positive attitude this week. When you aren't playing, you can't be happy - I expect that feeling from my players. I want them to show me they aren't happy in training. I feel I have a very good group with a very good attitude."

• Kenny Tete, who has not been handed a single Premier League minute so far this season, is still "so important" in Fulham's dressing room. Arbeloa urged the right-back to "keep working and being patient", and he reiterated that his opportunity will come.

• When asked what they have been working on in training, the Fulham boss responded: "We know why we aren't winning games and what we need to adjust. Our first thought on the ball shouldn't be about what we're going to do to score, it should be about what we're going to do when we lose the ball. We need to control the transition, that's very clear to me."

• Having spent two-and-a-half years at Liverpool as a player, it will be "so special" to return to Anfield as a manager.

• Andoni Iraola and Alvaro Arbeloa know each other "very well", having regularly faced each other in La Liga and having represented Spain together.

• On Liverpool's main threats: "They are so aggressive, they press high, they want to control the game and they are so quick in attack. They have a lot of top players and a lot of quality in their squad."

• He closed down suggestions that he won't be afforded the time to turn things around at Craven Cottage, adding: "I haven't just come here for three games or a month in charge, I've come here because I wanted to improve this team. That's where my energy goes."

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Liverpool v Fulham from 15:00 BST on Saturday here

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Fulham? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League has announced it will stage seven matches on Boxing Day this year after releasing its festive schedule.

Four fixtures will be staged at 15:00 GMT, with further matches played at 12:30, 17:30 and 20:00.

The fixture programme for 26 December, which falls on a Saturday in 2026, is considerably bigger than last year, when one game was held.

Three matches will be played on Sunday, 27 December, while three further rounds of games will be held over a period up to Thursday, 7 January.

A round of evening midweek fixtures will staged on 29-30 December, while Leeds will host Everton (20:00) for the only match on New Year's Day.

The remainder of that round will be held over the weekend of 2-3 January, with the fourth round of games spread across the evenings of 5-7 January.

The Premier League has brought forward the announcement of fixture scheduling over the Christmas and New Year period after consultation with both broadcast partners and the Football Supporters' Association and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.

Television scheduling for Premier League fixtures has been announced up to Monday, 2 November, with broadcast selections for the remaining games in November and December to be announced in the weeks commencing 21 September and 19 October respectively.

The Premier League has guaranteed clubs at least a 60-hour break between fixtures over the festive period to address the concerns over a congested festive schedule that follows recent expansions of the European and international calendars.

Premier League Christmas and New Year schedule

Saturday, 26 December

12:30 Aston Villa v Leeds

15:00 Everton v Sunderland

15:00 Fulham v Brighton

15:00 Ipswich v Brentford

15:00 Spurs v AFC Bournemouth

17:30 Hull v Liverpool

20:00 Newcastle v Manchester City

Sunday, 27 December

14:00 Coventry v Chelsea

16:30 Manchester Utd v Nottingham Forest

19:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Tuesday, 29 December

19:30 Hull v Leeds

19:30 Spurs v Brighton

20:15 Everton v Manchester City

Wednesday, 30 December

19:30 Coventry v Brentford

19:30 Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Fulham v Arsenal

19:30 Manchester United v Sunderland

19:30 Newcastle v Nottingham Forest

20:15 Aston Villa v Liverpool

20:15 Ipswich v Chelsea

Friday, 1 January

20:00 Leeds v Everton

Saturday, 2 January

12:30 Brighton v Manchester United

15:00 Arsenal v Ipswich

15:00 Brentford v Crystal Palace

15:00 Liverpool v Coventry

15:00 Nottingham Forest v Fulham

15:00 Sunderland v Hull

17:30 AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa

Sunday, 3 January

14:00 Chelsea v Newcastle

16:30 Manchester City v Spurs

Tuesday, 5 January

19:30 Arsenal v Brentford

19:30 Brighton v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Everton v Aston Villa

19:30 Nottingham Forest v Hull

20:15 Sunderland v Liverpool

Wednesday, 6 January

19:30 Crystal Palace v Chelsea

19:30 Fulham v Spurs

19:30 Ipswich v Coventry

20:15 Leeds v Manchester City

Thursday, 7 January

20:00 Manchester United v Newcastle

Image source, Getty Images

Calvin Bassey says it has been "a huge privilege" to wear the armband for Fulham in their first three Premier League games this season.

The Cottagers are still in search of their first points under new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who seems to have handed matchday captaincy duties to the 26-year-old.

Bassey, who signed a four-year deal in July 2023, has made 105 appearances for Fulham, scoring four goals and recording one assist.

"Being able to captain this club is unbelievable," Bassey said. "I'm going into my fourth season here so I know the boys and I get on with everyone.

"I'm just myself and I try to help everyone. Leading comes naturally to me because of the position I play - I can see everything and I have to communicate as a centre-half.

"It is a huge privilege and I have to thank the manager for giving it to me, but I don't think it has changed me."

On what type of character he tries to be in the dressing room, the 26-year-old Nigeria international said: "I'm more chill. Before a game, I'm just happy and smiling, as always. I just want everyone to go into a game with good energy.

"Of course you can get frustrated, I think everyone understands that. It isn't my personality to start screaming at people, though. I know everyone goes out there and gives 100%."

On looking after Fulham academy graduate Josh King, he added: "His mum has told me to look after him, so I know I can stick it on him now if he gets too big for his boots!

"I always looked after him anyway, but I got the green light so it's even better now. I'm so happy for him - he works hard and he is always on the pitch after training practising. He is a player we need."

Emma Jones
BBC Radio London reporter

Fulham's difficult start to life under Alvaro Arbeloa has been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Fulham Ask Me Anything form' form recently, with readers querying the new manager and his summer signings, and wondering if the Cottagers are favourites for relegation.

Well, it hasn't been the best start, has it? Three Premier League games played and three defeats.

Fulham fans might have been excited by what they saw in a thrilling first competitive match under Arbeloa, but it was ultimately a loss, at home to Chelsea.

But then there were no shots on target in a defeat at Sunderland, before they couldn't hold on to the lead, twice, against Crystal Palace.

Arbeloa said he takes responsibility for the things that aren't quite going right, but has also asked for patience. It will take time for a new manager, in a new league, with new players, to fully settle.

Those new players include several from Real Madrid, including Gonzalo Garcia, who got a goal on his Premier League debut. Meanwhile, Josh King has already scored twice this season has said he knows other players need to step up after the loss of Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez.

Favourites for the drop? I have seen more than a few pundits suggesting Fulham should finish comfortably mid-table.

However, they do need to pick up some points soon, with Liverpool and Manchester United to play before the international break.

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We asked for your views on Chris Sutton's comments that Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has "underestimated" the Premier League.

Here are some of your comments:

Rohan: I feel as though Arbeloa has completely underestimated the physicality of the Premier League. Without signing another centre-back as a partner for Calvin Bassey, he has allowed other players to breach the right of our defence easily. Arbeloa needs to find a way to counter this so we can start picking up points.

Rob: I think he has to change his philosophy asap. We are so comical as a defensive unit. Criticism of the players' attitude after two games? Think he should look at himself. Looking like a long hard season unless changes are made.

Mark: This was always a boom or bust managerial appointment, unfortunately it will be bust under Arbeloa! Get Eddie Howe on the dog and bone pronto.

Bryn: I believe that a high-pressing game can work, but to mix metaphors - you build a house from the foundation upwards. For the game to work, the team must be built on a sound defence, which we emphatically do NOT have!

Richard: Arbeloa is attempting to impose a type of high press Spanish-type football in a highly competitive Premier League without the players to do it. A number of key players under Marco Silva - Smith-Rowe, Iwobi, Tete, Anderson - appear disaffected and unconvinced. Arbeloa will either have to adapt and play a more measured type of football, especially in defence, or he will fail with his scheme and be removed.

Charles: There's a lot of talk about the success under Marco Silva and there's no denying that there was significant stability achieved after a period of volatility. However, is mid-table all any club outside of the big six should be hoping to attain? Wasn't it time to have a bit more ambition? Fulham didn't win any silverware under Marco and never really embraced the potential of what could be. It's a bit frightening at the moment, sure, but it feels like we're trying something at least.

Quinn: I think we need to give him more time before we judge. Andoni Iraola won six points in his first 10 games at Bournemouth, 28 in his first 20. The youngsters are trying hard for him. Maybe we need to tweak the starting 11 for stability and then bring on potential game-changers? As long as the team keep fighting and the supporters keep believing. Positive support is the best way to give him a chance.

Fulham are expected to begin contract talks with 26-year-old defender Calvin Bassey, who is attracting interest from Inter Milan. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

"If you are a Fulham fan, you are worried right now," former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has said after seeing the Cottagers pick up zero points from their first three league games of the season.

He also criticised new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa's "really quite strong words" towards his squad, adding that the Spaniard might have "underestimated" the quality of the English top flight.

"I thought Fulham were quite an attractive team under Marco Silva," Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"You do wonder whether Arbeloa has come in and underestimated the strength of the Premier League.

"He clearly wants to play in a particularly way, which involves high pressing and front-footed football.

"But he was critical of his team after their loss to Sunderland - he questioned their mentality and said they needed to improve their energy and attitude. They are really quite strong words to use in the infancy of your managerial career at a club.

"I always felt Silva punched above his weight as Fulham manager because he had developed them into a really stable club. The worry now is that all of that could go out of the window in a short space of time.

"The Premier League is so unforgiving."

What do you think? Are you worried Arbeloa might have underestimated the strength of the Premier League? Or are you confident things will improve under Silva's successor?

Send us your comments here

And listen to this week's episode of Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds

Chelsea showed late interest in Fulham's Sander Berge as they attempted to strengthen their midfield options before Enzo Fernandez's departure.

The Blues intended to sign a central midfielder in the closing days of the summer transfer window as they prepared for Fernandez to join Manchester City.

However, Chelsea's search ended in disappointment as they sold Fernandez for £125m without signing a replacement.

It is understood Norway international Berge was among the options explored by Chelsea during the final stages of the window, though they did not make a formal bid and Fulham considered the 28-year-old not for sale.

Since his arrival from Burnley in 2023, Berge has become a key player for the Cottagers, making 78 appearances.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Fulham and Crystal Palace.

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

Tom: Who would have thought that replacing Premier League experience with novices on and off the pitch would backfire almost immediately? If we don't win before the international break, then Alvaro Arbeloa will have to go.

Brian: We knew it would be a massive change from Marco Silva as the majority of players were/are his and that losing Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez would change the dynamics. I can see what Alvaro is trying to achieve but it may take longer than some in the home crowd are prepared to accept. I'm not worried, there is too much quality in the squad, but we know football management is cursed, so let's see how it pans out.

Simon: Arbeloa's system can't defend but the board knew this when taking the gamble with him and the Real Madrid academy. This is a strategic error to chase player profits over Premier League stability. We've leaked seven goals in three league games. You can't stay in this division with that defence.

Russ: The managerial appointment was always going to be high risk but out of our supporters' hands. The manner in which we concede goals has to be a concern and with games against Liverpool and Manchester United coming up, this should have been at least our first point. Early days, but what I saw at Craven Cottage on Saturday is concerning.

Crystal Palace fans

Gary: It was great to get the win, but we are too open at the back and playing too high up the pitch. Offensively, we look good. The forward players need to be more clinical. We have Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta to come back, so I'm sure they will make the difference if they can get their heads right. I'm pleased for Tyrick Mitchell getting his first double. We have three home games now - games we should win. Hopefully, a good start in the cups and three points against Ipswich.

Steve: An entertaining game full of defensive frailties on both sides. One positive is that Palace scored three goals, but there is still cause for concern. Chris Richards was often caught out of position and Adam Wharton lacked control and dynamism. The team perhaps still needs time to gel, but a much-needed win is very welcome.

Derek: This win was huge, not only for the team and the new manager, but so important for the fans. Everyone's morale will be reinvigorated by this result. Must push on with ground improvements.

Andy: It was good to get the win in a competitive game. There are plenty of positives, one being the presence of Quinten Timber and the improved attacking intent of Tyrick Mitchell. Our defending appears chaotic, but this could be part of the new bonding process and could come good. We need to improve our distribution as we are giving the ball away too easily.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham enjoyed a better expected goals (xG) of 3.13 than Crystal Palace (1.97), and also ran Chelsea close on the opening weekend.

But that does not stop the table reading three matches played, three defeats, zero points.

It led to booing from some Fulham fans, as well as chants questioning the team's performance.

Alvaro Arbeloa will be no stranger to pressure. His playing career included more than 350 appearances for Real Madrid, Deportivo la Coruna, Liverpool and West Ham.

He also won 56 caps for Spain and was part of their side that won two European Championships and a World Cup between 2008 and 2012.

Arbeloa got the job following four months as Real's caretaker manager, taking charge of the final 28 matches of last season following Xabi Alonso's departure.

In that time he oversaw 18 wins, two draws and eight defeats.

As a former defender, the Spaniard will have wanted to avoid conceding three goals, especially in the manner they did.

"We were really unlucky in this goal [second Palace goal," Arbeloa said.

If Fulham can keep creating chances in the way they did against Palace, the victories should come. But the prospect of being on zero - or very few - points at the international break is a real one.

Arbeloa faces meetings with two of his former clubs next. A trip to Liverpool comes before a home Carabao Cup third-round tie with the Hammers and a league meeting with Manchester United.

Only six Premier League teams have started a season with five straight defeats. Of them, only two went on to avoid relegation.

Read more here

Match of the Day pundit and ex-Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy gives his analysis on Fulham's defending in their 3-2 defeat by Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Alongside newly promoted Coventry City, Fulham became the first of two teams to have played three games in the Premier League this season and lost all of them.

On paper, Fulham have not had the easiest set of starting fixtures - at home to Chelsea and then back-to-back meetings with sides that will be in this season's Europa League in Sunderland and Crystal Palace.

Like their opening weekend derby defeat by rivals Chelsea, Fulham scored twice but they conceded three goals that were largely avoidable.

And it doesn't get any easier from here. Fulham travel to Anfield next weekend to face Liverpool, then will host Manchester United in their final league game before the international break.

There were some boos and disparaging chants towards Arbeloa at full-time. With three defeats and seven goals conceded from their opening three games, it could easily get worse before it gets better for a side tipped by many to be in danger of going down in the pre-season predictions.

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I think we didn't deserve to lose this game. I think my players did everything, good attitude, they were brave, so many chances to score more goals. They [Crystal Palace] took their chances, in the end football is about that.

"We were really unlucky in this goal [second Palace goal], we had many chances also we were very unlucky. Good effort from Gonzalo [Garcia], that's the spirit I want from my players, the striker making a sprint to try and save a goal. With that spirit and character, if we play in this way, the victories will come.

"We did many good things to win the game, it was similar against Chelsea but we lose. For the players it's a difficult situation, difficult moment, but I am very proud of them.

"Cesar Palacios and Gonzalo Garcia both had a great game, Cesar scored a goal, and for Gonzalo another great performance."

Did you know?

• Fulham's Josh King has scored two goals across his three Premier League games this season, after netting just once in his previous 40 for Fulham.

• Fulham have lost each of their first three games of a top-flight campaign for the just the third time, also doing so in 1951-52 and 2020-21 - suffering relegation on both those occasions.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Fulham's performance

What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Newcastle v Bournemouth (12:30)

• Brentford v Sunderland

• Brighton v Leeds

• Fulham v Crystal Palace

• Man City v Coventry - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Nottingham Forest v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Hull v Aston Villa (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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Neither of these teams have got a point so far, as I predicted.

On top of his side's poor start to the season, one of the problems for Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage will be dealing with Ismaila Sarr after he did not get a move to Liverpool before the transfer window shut.

My worry for Fulham is they have become a Real Madrid feeder team, and their boss Alvaro Arbeloa has already got issues with his squad.

He stuck the boot into his players after their defeat by Sunderland, questioning their mentality.

A first win would be massive for both new managers, but I don't think either of them will get it here.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here