Fulham

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth have claimed the edge in the battle for sixth place in the Premier League - and what could be the strangest Champions League spot yet.

The in-form Cherries' 3-0 win over Crystal Palace helped them overtake Brentford into that position.

Sixth will earn a Europa League place at the very least, with some of the contenders having never qualified for Europe before.

However, both elements needed for sixth place to become a Champions League spot seem quite plausible.

Aston Villa would need to finish in fifth, exactly where they currently reside, and win the Europa League. They trail Nottingham Forest 1-0 after the semi-final first leg, but they are at home for Thursday's return leg.

This scenario will only play out if Villa finish fifth - and not in the top four or below fifth - because of a quirk in Uefa's rules.

The Premier League landed a fifth Champions League place because of the English teams' performances in Europe - something called the European Performance Spot (EPS).

So if Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth, that EPS spot would be passed down to the team in sixth, who would qualify for the Champions League.

However if Villa finish in the top four, winning the Europa League would make no difference to any other English team and the sixth-placed finisher would qualify for the Europa League.

With Aston Villa six points clear in fifth, sixth place appears to be the highest any of the other teams could finish.

At the moment, Bournemouth are on 52 points - one point clear of Brentford, who are one point above Brighton.

The Cherries and the Bees have never played in European competition before, while the Seagulls' only Uefa campaign was in the 2023-24 Europa League.

Chelsea are four points behind Bournemouth, but they have a game in hand against Forest.

Fulham are level on points with Chelsea. Everton, who have a game in hand against Manchester City, and Sunderland are on 47 points - so they are just about in the race.

Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Leeds could still mathematically - but not so realistically - qualify for the Champions League.

Read the full article here

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

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Samuel: The season has been great. Arguably 100% worthy of being Premier League winners. The Gunners are one of the best teams in Europe this season. They just need to focus on winning the remaining games and forget what Manchester City do.

Richard: The first half was pure pace and power. Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield gave a superb performance, but Viktor Gyokeres was absolutely uncontrollable. His runs and one-touch passing were what we paid the fee for. In the second half, it was about control and not conceding. More of the same from now to the end of the season, please.

James: Much better performance from the team, who have looked extremely nervous over the past few months. It was good to see Lewis-Skelly get a run out. Mikel Arteta has not rotated the squad enough for the past few seasons, and it shows when the subs come on and put in a great performance. He needs to trust the other players more, especially the youngsters who play without fear. All we can do is keep winning and hope City drop points or score fewer goals.

Andy: It's simple. Having some of your best players fit means you play better - something I've not been able to say for a while.

Fulham fans

Chris: A bitter pill to swallow. Poor first half but glad it wasn't 6-0. Missing Iwobi, Sessegnon and Kevin - they would have made an impact and created chances. Diop should have started. Tough game done, but we need to win the next three.

Phil: Inept, incompetent, hopeless! When your centre-forward is roasted and left sitting on his backside in the left-back position, it shows we're all over the place! Goal one - sloppy passing let the Gunners get their rhythm and there was no looking back for them. I hope we don't get a European place. It could be embarrassing! Oh, to be a Fulham supporter!

Brian: Men against boys. The first-half performance gives a good reason for Marco Silva to move on. The team has gone as far as it can.

Michael: We are nothing more than a mid-table side. I can't understand how some of us feel Fulham can be anything more. Too many mistakes in midfield, poor defence and nothing up front. Arsenal are nothing special, but they're far too much for us.

Pundits Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brentford 3-0 West Ham United

• Newcastle United 3-1 Brighton

• Arsenal 3-0 Fulham

Fulham manager Marco Silva, speaking to BBC Match of the Day about Fulham's fitness problems: "That's the easiest excuse, but we started with 11. As a whole, we should have done much better, and if you don't do the basics well you're not going to be able to compete.

"You have to go through these type of difficult spells in a football match, but the other things have to be there – the basic way to defend and defend your box. We have to be much stronger in the way we defended. We were not at that level this afternoon.

"I can't mention one part of the first half because they started on the front foot. We wanted to be a bit more aggressive in our press and match their intensity. It was not possible. Overall in the first-half, we were not at our level.

"Of course, we're going to be stronger if we have all players available. Unfortunately for us, we're losing decisive players at a key time of the season."

Did you know?

• Fulham have lost five of their last eight Premier League away games (W1 D2) and have failed to score in four consecutive matches on the road in the competition for the first time since a run of seven between January and April 2010.

• The Cottagers have lost their first away London derby in the Premier League since August 2025, with today's defeat ending a run of four London derbies unbeaten on the road (W2 D2), whilst today was the first time they lost an away match in London by 3+ goals since January 2019 - also against Arsenal (1-4).

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

As impressive as Arsenal were, Marco Silva's Fulham were extremely poor.

Pinned back for most of the first half, they were fortunate not to be further behind at the break.

They had an expected goal (xG) of just 0.43 and registered only one shot on target, which shows how little they threatened their hosts.

Silva's sides are usually well organised and dangerous on the counter-attack, but Fulham showed little of either quality as they missed the opportunity to join sixth-placed Brentford on 51 points had they won.

They remain in 10th spot and will need to perform much better in the run-in if they are to qualify for Europe next season.

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

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

What did you make of Fulham's display?

Come back on Sunday for a selection of your replies

Mikel Arteta has given Myles Lewis-Skelly a big opportunity by naming him in midfield alongside Declan Rice.

The 19-year-old was due to start there against Wigan in the FA Cup but had to move back to left back after an injury to Riccardo Calafiori.

This is his first chance to show what he can do from the start of a Premier League match. Bukayo Saka also comes in for his first league start since March after injury.

Arsenal XI: Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Hincapie, Jesus, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Zubimendi, Dowman

Marco Silva makes two changes to his side that beat Aston Villa. Harrison Reed and Antonee Robinson come into the starting line-up.

Fulham XI: Leno, Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Reed, Lukic, Smith Rowe, Wilson, Chukwueze, Jimenez

Subs: Lecomte, Tete, Muniz, Cairney, Bobb, Cuenca, Kusi-Asare, King, Diop

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

• Brentford v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Wolves v Sunderland

• Arsenal v Fulham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brentford v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Fulham", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

I was at Arsenal's game against Atletico Madrid for BBC Radio 5 Live in midweek and they were mugged in Madrid by referee Danny Makkelie.

Some dodgy Dutch decisions have cost them and let's hope they don't pay the penalty in next week's second leg of their Champions League semi-final, because they should really be taking a lead back to Emirates Stadium.

Before then, Mikel Arteta's side have to switch their focus to the Premier League title race and nothing less than a win will do for them here.

Arsenal are not a free-scoring side at the moment, which is a worry - they are just not clicking in the final third.

But, with what is on the line here, I am still backing them to get the job done with a clean sheet and a goal - or maybe even two.

Fulham have had an excellent season under Marco Silva and they are in the race for the European spots too, but Arsenal have the best defence in Europe and their strength at the back will help to get them over the line here.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

After a creditable draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid, Arsenal's focus shifts back to the Premier League on Saturday. They welcome Fulham to Emirates Stadium (17:30 BST) in another vital game in the race for the title.

Eze easing the pressure on Arsenal

Victory would give the Gunners a six-point lead at the top over Manchester City, who face Everton on Monday in one of what will then be two games in hand.

As for Fulham, they gave their hopes of earning a European spot a jolt with a big win over Aston Villa last weekend. The victory lifted them into the top half and Marco Silva's side go into the weekend just two points behind Brighton in sixth.

After a draining fixture in Madrid, Mikel Arteta will surely need to utilise his squad depth when Fulham visit. Overall, he has managed his options well this season and the 22 goal contributions from substitutes in the Premier League this term is a division high.

If fatigue is a factor, the Gunners can always rely on their set-piece trump card. They have shown versatility in the way in which they can attack teams from dead-ball situations too, with last weekend's routine flummoxing Newcastle and ending in a fine goal for Eberechi Eze.

It was a strike that took Arsenal to a Premier League record of 17 goals from corners in one season. Over the past three campaigns, they have scored a remarkable 47 times from corner situations.

In Eze, the Gunners also have a player who tends to save his best form for the final weeks of the season. Across his Premier League career at Crystal Palace and now Arsenal, he has thrived from March onwards in comparison with other parts of the calendar.

Full tilt for Fulham

After stuttering over the last couple of months, Fulham secured a morale-boosting win over Aston Villa last weekend to keep alive their European hopes.

Having struggled against sides in the top eight - with just one win in eight games prior to that victory - Silva will hope his team can take confidence from the result.

It will also give Fulham supporters hope that the team can avoid another late-season collapse. In two of the three years since returning to the Premier League, they have dropped off significantly in the final two months. The signs have been better as of late.

While Arsenal will have to overcome some physical hurdles after their semi-final first leg in midweek, Fulham face mental obstacles of their own - namely, their poor record away at the Gunners.

Fulham have never won at Arsenal in 32 away league games, losing 25 and drawing seven. That is the most matches one side has faced another without ever securing a victory in English football history.

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham have confirmed that all season ticket prices will increase by 3.5% for the 2026-27 campaign.

The Whites also announced a record total of season ticket-holders at Craven Cottage this season, 13 Premier League sellouts and a record number of seats sold through the club's ticket exchange scheme.

The prise rises were explained in a club statement, external, which read: "Throughout discussions with the FAB [Fan Advisory Board], the club was reminded of the importance of keeping football at Craven Cottage affordable and limiting the financial impact on our fanbase.

"Recognising and respecting this, though noting that matchday operating costs continue to rise, the club and the FAB agreed that a 3.5% increase will help to contribute to financial sustainability and compliance with new financial regulations."

Any supporters who held season tickets before 2022-23 will "continue to receive the lowest renewal price for the upcoming season", with the club also keeping its over-65s and 18 to 21-year-old concessionary categories.

The club also said junior season tickets will "continue to offer exceptional value" at just over £8 per Premier League fixture.

FAB chair David Claridge said: "The FAB always appreciates the chance to discuss ticket pricing with the club. We entered the consultation reminding the club of our support for the FSA's 'Stop Exploiting Loyalty' campaign, which advocated for a league-wide price freeze.

"However, the club was very open about the rising operating costs and new financial regulations it faces next season.

"The club listened to our feedback and adjusted their initial proposal to arrive at a 3.5% increase, which balances the club's financial sustainability with the needs of our supporters."

If you're interested in all the current conversation around football being in danger of pricing out its fans, take a listen to BBC World Service's More Than The Score podcast below...

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (17:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Silva confirmed Ryan Sessegnon "will be out of the next game and probably the game after too" having limped off in last weekend's win over Aston Villa.

• Alex Iwobi and Kevin also remain sidelined, while Kenny Tete is back and "maybe in contention" but Saturday is "too soon for him to start".

• The Fulham boss added: "We have some doubts with some players but some players probably will be ready".

• Reflecting on that 1-0 home win over Villa, he said: "It was a well deserved win for us. Another clean sheet. We spoke before about how the game was going to be crucial to keep ourselves in the battle in that part of the table. It has been a good week so far, we're preparing well."

• Asked what it would mean to achieve European qualification with the Cottagers, Silva responded: "It's been a long and top journey. We have been changing completely almost everything. We know clearly the position the club was in before we arrived. We are going to fight for it. If we achieve it then it will be a great thing for this club. We have been creating platforms and the right spirit. But, I don't like talking about ifs. It's a fight. We are in a big fight with many teams for the European places. If we make it, the team will be great."

• On if European qualification will impact his future, with his contract expiring in the summer: "Nothing is going to affect or not affect. It would be a decision that I and the club are going to take together. Many things are there. We are completely on the same page and aligned with what will be necessary for the club for the future. The future of the club is always there."

• On links with managerless Chelsea: "I don't pay any attention. Decisive games for us and all focus will be on Arsenal and what we have to do against them."

• Discussing more on staying motivated: "If you win a game, confidence is boosted. The Brentford game we drew - with the motivation of our players I didn't see anyone giving up after that in our meetings. We don't let that happen."

• On the challenge posed by the Gunners: "It's another very difficult game for us, there are three points to fight for, so we are going to fight. It's not a good record [at the Emirates] - not one we should be proud of. We drew there with 10 men a couple of years ago. We have to go there thinking that it's possible. It's another very difficult game for us, there are three points to fight for, so we are going to fight."

Listen to live commentary of Arsenal v Fulham on Saturday from 17:30 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

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

Benfica have shortlisted Fulham's Portuguese manager Marco Silva, 48, as a leading candidate to replace Jose Mourinho, who has been linked with a return to Real Madrid next season. (Record - in Portuguese), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Fulham's chances of qualifying for European football this season, with just four fixtures left for Marco Silva's side to stake their claim.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Dave: No. Unfortunately we just lack the killer instinct. I think the players are unsettled by Marco's contract shenanigans tbh. In my view we will miss out, Silva will leave and so will Wilson. A new beginning next season if we can find a decent manager prepared to work with Tony Khan.

Mark: Some winnable games which could produce seven to nine points with other teams faltering, so anything is possible. My ambition is progress year-on-year so would be content with that and Europe can wait another year with a deeper squad.

Charlie: We stand a chance as the numbers show, but all in all I don't feel we have the consistency to push for it!

Terry: The other results have gone our way this weekend, that's the positive. On the other side of the coin we have Arsenal away next, then we still have to play Bournemouth, Wolves (should pick up all three there) and Newcastle. So, no, I don't think we will get enough points.

FullSteedAhead: I hope we don't. The squad is at times too thin for the Prem and Forest's European adventure vs current league position should be a cautionary tale. Would the Khans expand the squad if we did qualify? I'm not convinced.

Alexander: As a Fulham fan, It is almost impossible to predict how Fulham play as they are very inconsistent. I don't think they will get European football because their fixtures are hard and they are unreliable.

Rob: No. Too inconsistent. Season finished at the Southampton performance. Marco doesn't want it as it might change his mind about staying.

Murray: Currently our squad is not strong enough for Europe. We do need to strengthen in all departments. Our aim is to remain in the Premier League - anything else is a bonus.

Image source, Getty Images

It's still all to play for in Fulham's four remaining Premier League games.

The permutations for getting into Europe this season are complex, but BBC Sport's Dale Johnson has broken them down here.

Do you think Craven Cottage will host European football next season? If so, why are you confident? If not, what can take the club on to that next step?

Get in touch with your views here

Drew Heatley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Who else could it be but Sess?

In the week that the club triggered an extra year on his deal, Ryan Sessegnon breathed new life into our European push when all appeared lost.

His goal gave us our first win against Aston Villa in nearly four years and sparked renewed hope going into similarly tough games against Arsenal and Bournemouth.

The fact that we then lost him to injury is illustrative of the mixed bag this season has been.

Three wins out of our final four games would all-but guarantee a top eight finish, but there is little room for error.

Our hardest game comes next week at the Emirates, with Arsenal needing no fewer than three points to stay ahead of a rampant Manchester City side that can smell blood.

Our away record this campaign has been poor, which is why it is encouraging that two of our final four games are at home and our other away fixture is a trip to already relegated Wolves.

I cannot help but feel these next four fixtures will determine not just the direction of our 2026-27 season, but the next five years.

If we fail to secure Europe, I expect Marco Silva to depart in June. If we qualify, I think we can expect a new deal and a continuation of his five-year stay in SW6.

Tying down players like Sessegnon for at least another season gives us the type of continuity we crave as fans and Ryan is held in such high regard that it has certainly raised the mood around Craven Cottage.

But when it comes to contract extensions, there is only one that sits at the top of everyone's wish list. And come what may, we will know the outcome of that soon enough.

Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish, external

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison believes Fulham boss Marco Silva is likely to leave the club in the summer but "it might be a different conversation" if they qualify for Europe.

Silva's contract expires at the end of June and, as things stand, the club are yet to confirm whether he will renew.

Ryan Sessegnon boosted Fulham's hopes of finishing in the European places as they beat Aston Villa on Saturday and moved up to 10th in the Premier League - one point behind Bournemouth in the current Conference League spot.

"Silva's stock is going to be high and I think he wants a change because he's not signed a new contract yet," said Morrison on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "But I don't understand why it's taking so long.

"He's done a brilliant job and they've got some top players. Everyone knows their role and they are a very good team.

"If Silva does get them into Europe then it might be a different conversation at the end of the season, but either way, he has done a fantastic job."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

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

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

David: Great improvement on last week - like a different team. Jimenez starting was the right decision - he makes so much more happen than Muniz. Robinson as substitute was much better than of late. Europe may be in reach.

Malachi: It was clear what Marco Silva wanted from his players. Fulham played intelligent, winning football. With Europe back in sight, I'm exited to see where we finish this season.

Tim: Brilliant on all fronts. Great to see the squad performing as they can - a proper team effort with a clean sheet and crisp, clean football. Marco and the coaching squad really prepared the team and the strategy held up. Now to help spoil the Arsenal's ending next weekend!

James: Come on, you Whites! It was a great performance and we completely deserved the three points. A trip to Europe is still in sight - only two points behind sixth. A very hard game coming up next against Arsenal.

Villa fans

Rob: We are staggering towards the Champions League, hoping that we have enough points in the bag to make it in fifth place. Poor finishing has cost us again with Watkins missing two good chances, Tammy one and Rogers one. It's been the story of our season. UCL qualification is critical if we are going to be able to improve because this squad of players are continuing to overachieve.

Matt: Yeesh, I seriously hope we had one eye on the upcoming semi against Nottingham Forest. Fulham did enough against a Villa side who were nowhere near their best. They'll need to double the workload midweek that's for sure, especially when Forest battered Sunderland comfortably. Sancho and Bailey are not good enough - they're meant to have an impact and did nothing. In Unai we trust, but the chances we missed today hopefully won't return to bite us. UTV.

Martyn: Villa are so frustrating. Their inconsistency is painful. An epic performance followed by a dripping wet, lacklustre game. Get. The. Job. Done.

Jack: We are lucky to be fifth and it's only because everyone outside the top two is poor that we are. Emery is a great coach but we have been largely poor under him for three months and, once again, have a very bad goal difference for the third season running. Spending more would help but we have a very large wage bill and wasted it on Sancho, Elliott, Bailey etc. If Forest knock us out of Europe it will be another season without a trophy.

Pundits Martin Keown and Steph Houghton join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham 2-1 Everton

• Wolves 0-1 Tottenham

• Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

Fulham boss Marco Silva speaking to BBC Match Of The Day: "Overall, good performance from us. We would've liked to have a bit more of the ball in the second half, to have longer periods of possession and be able to create more. We pressed them very well every moment. [Aston Villa are] a top side with physical and technical players but we needed [to win] and we wanted it. We created good moments. Second half it was difficult to press, we needed a bit of calmness and quality and could've created more. Back-to-back clean sheets in a crucial moment.

"Very hard work, some moments not easy. They had some moments but we were competitive."

On the disallowed goal: "No comments on that. The image speaks of the moment. The way you have asked me the question speaks about the moment."

On fighting for Europe: "Massive win against a top side. Always capable of finding moments to score the way they build through the spine of the team. Our work was good. Two points off sixth and it's going to be a big fight until the end. We have set ourselves in a position to fight for something so that should make everybody proud. It will be difficult. We have lots of injuries but we keep fighting to make people proud of us."

Did you know?

• Fulham have beaten Aston Villa for the first time in the Premier League since 20 October 2022, a run of six games without a win.

• Joachim Anderson recorded four tackles, four interceptions and seven clearances in this match, becoming the first Fulham player to hit those tallies in a Premier League game since Sasha Reither vs Chelsea in November 2012.