Brentford-Fulham Preview

Fulham boss Marco Silva feels his side have made a bright start to life back in the Premier League, but hopes home advantage can be harnessed for a crucial edge in a derby encounter with Brentford this weekend.

The Cottagers are back at Craven Cottage against the Bees, after showing some lively skill upon their return to the Premier League.

The hosts know they will be among the favourites for the drop this term unless they string together a promising run of results though - and Silva hopes the energy of what he feels to be a special occasion can push them over the edge.

"It's been a solid start from ourselves," he stated. "We probably could get more points from both games, but that's football."

"All derbies are special. I can't say that this is just another game because a derby is always a derby, but we prepare in the same way.

"In the first game against Liverpool, we started on the front foot and involved our fans. It's what we should do tomorrow as well. We know that they can create the noise and atmosphere that will help us."

Opposite number Thomas Frank meanwhile says he is happy to get a new deal down on paper for Mathias Jorgensen, after the defender penned a one-year extension at Brentford Community Stadium.

"We always wanted to extend Zanka's contract and are happy that we have now done so," he stated. "He did very well for us last season in the games he played and was fantastic around the group as an experienced player.

"He is unique in what he gives off the pitch. He gives the group a lot when he is playing and when he isn't, with small pieces of advice to younger players and pushing everyone in training."

Fulham - Aleksandar Mitrovic

Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic has played in more Premier League London derbies without ever winning one than any other player (17 - D2 L15). He's also netted just once in these 17 games, going 15 without a goal since scoring against Spurs at Wembley Stadium in August 2018.

Brentford - Ivan Toney

Ivan Toney has been involved in 12 goals in his last 13 Premier League appearances for Brentford (7 goals, 5 assists), setting up two goals in the Bees' 4-0 win over Manchester United last time out.

- This is the first ever meeting between Fulham and Brentford in the English top-flight, becoming the 1,445th different fixture to be played in the top division.

- Brentford have only lost one of their last 19 away games against Fulham in all competitions (W8 D10), a 1-0 defeat in the third-tier in April 1990, and are unbeaten in their last 11 there (W5 D6).

- Fulham are on a run of 24 Premier League London derbies without a win (D5 L19) since a 2-1 home win over West Ham United in January 2014. In top-flight history, only Crystal Palace between August 1969 and March 1973 (31 games) have had a longer run of London derbies without a win.

- Fulham have drawn both of their Premier League games so far this season - only once have they drawn each of their first three in a top-flight campaign, doing so in 2010-11.

- Brentford have won eight of their 13 Premier League games since the start of March (D2 L3), with only Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham averaging more points per game in the top-flight in that time than the Bees (2 - 26 points from 13 games).

Updated August 19, 2022