The Premier League serves up an intriguing contest this Sunday as Fulham welcome the mighty Liverpool to Craven Cottage. This match promises high stakes for both sides, with the hosts looking to climb the table and the visitors aiming to solidify their top-four position. The fixture is scheduled for January 4, with kick-off at 8:30 PM IST for fans in India.
Match Details and Where to Watch
The stage is set at Fulham's historic home ground, Craven Cottage. The officiating team will be led by referee Craig Pawson, with Andy Madley overseeing proceedings from the VAR booth. For supporters in India, the match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network. Additionally, viewers can stream the action live on their devices via the JioHotstar app with a valid subscription.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Both teams are navigating significant absences. Fulham will be without several key players due to the AFCON tournament and injuries. Their attacking trio of Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze are on international duty. The injury list includes Kenny Tete, Ryan Sessegnon, Joshua King, and Rodrigo Muniz. Veteran striker Raul Jimenez is expected to spearhead the Cottagers' attack.
Liverpool also feels the impact of AFCON, missing their talisman Mohamed Salah. The injury room is occupied by Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni, and Jeremie Frimpong. However, they have a boost with Florian Wirtz named in the starting eleven. The confirmed line-ups see Alisson Becker in goal for Liverpool, guarding a defence marshalled by Virgil van Dijk. Fulham will rely on Bernd Leno between the posts.
AI Predictions and Head-to-Head Record
Artificial intelligence models are leaning towards a Liverpool victory, though they anticipate a competitive match. Grok predicts a 3-1 win for Liverpool, citing their midfield control as a key factor. ChatGPT forecasts a tighter 2-1 victory for the Reds, acknowledging Fulham's resilient home form. The historical record heavily favours Liverpool, who have won 41 of the previous encounters. Fulham have emerged victorious 12 times, with 17 matches ending in a draw.
With Fulham sitting in 12th place with 27 points and Liverpool in 4th with 33 points, this clash is vital for momentum. Liverpool will be desperate for three points to stay in the Champions League qualification race, while Fulham will aim to leverage their home advantage and cause an upset. All eyes will be on Craven Cottage for what is set to be a compelling chapter in this Premier League rivalry.
