Premier League: Crucial Early Points Up For Grabs In West London

Fulham vs Leeds United

Two Premier League clubs aiming for mid-table respectability meet in west London this weekend and there’s much to play for.

Fulham have only secured two points from their opening three games but that tally does not reflect their performances.

Marco Silva and his men twice fought back from deficits to gain an opening weekend draw at Brighton and hold Manchester United before a harsh defeat at neighbours Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Leeds, meanwhile, have four points gained via a 1-0 defeat of Everton (through a highly contentious penalty) and a goalless draw at home to Newcastle United (they were beaten 5-0 by Arsenal in between).

While an acceptable start for both, the focus is firmly on Premier League 2025 highlights and, more crucially, points 

 

Talking Points

You don’t need me to tell you that Fulham were very much hard done to last time out and were right to feel aggrieved when talented youngster Joshua King saw his first-ever top-flight goal ruled out.

Quite frankly, it was just the latest decision against the spirit of the game after the video assistant referee (who was subsequently stood down – too little, too late) adjudged that King’s team-mate Rodrigo Muniz had stepped on home defender Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up to the goal.

When the pitchside monitor was viewed – there appeared to be minimal contact in what also looked a natural action by striker Muniz – and the decision to chalk off what would have been the opening goal was confirmed, it was the latest ruling (I call it a VAR howler) that makes you question the system.

It was further frustration for manager Marco Silva who had previously openly expressed his disappointment at the club’s lack of signings ahead of the new season.

Recent results seem to indicate he may have been right, but they will be optimistic of getting a first win on the board in this one. After all, Fulham have lost just one of their five home Premier League matches against Leeds.

Issa Diop is the only major doubt for the home side, while Leeds have question marks against Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe.

Of all the promoted teams, Daniel Farke’s team seemed best equipped to buck the trend of the past two years which has seen every team go straight back down.

 

History

Historically, this has always been a close encounter.

Leeds have 26 wins in total, compared to Fulham’s 22 with a further 15 draws.

In 2019/20, the season both teams were promoted to the top flight, the meetings were each won by the home team.

Fulham triumphed 2-1 at home before Leeds had the upper hand in the reverse fixture.

That was the first of three clashes in a row that Leeds won (two in the top flight, one in the League Cup).

Before then you had to go back nearly two decades for top-flight encounters.

Leeds won 3-2 at Elland Road in late 2003 when a double from Fulham’s Louis Saha (who was to join Manchester United a month later) looked to have cancelled out goals from Michael Duberry and Mark Viduka before Dominic Matteo netted a late winner.

Fulham won the return fixture 2-0 at Craven Cottage in March 2004, courtesy of goals from Sean Davis and Luis Boa Morte.

Back to the current day and the Cottagers have won the last three meetings, all of which came three seasons ago (2022/23).

At Elland Road, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Bobby Decordova-Reid and Willian scored the goals in a 3-2 away success. Rodrigo and Crysencio Summerville replied for Leeds.

Harry Wilson and Andreas Pereira were the men on target as Fulham won the return fixture at Craven Cottage.

There was also an FA Cup fifth-round success by the Thames that season, a 2-0 home win when Joao Palhinha and Manor Solomon were the goal-getters.

 

Betting Tip

Fulham have the edge with the SBOTOP Premier League 2025 betting odds and are priced 1X2 @ 1.94 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.23.

Leeds are on offer 1X2 @ 3.66 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.28.

The draw will pay out @ 3.21 and a re-run of their most recent meeting will earn you a pay day @ 8.80 with Correct Score 2-0.

Total goal 0-1 @ 2.90, 2-3 @ 1.97 and 4-6 @ 3.59 are attractive options and I’ve considered Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 4.94.

That may tempt you given the last four Premier League meetings between the sides have produced 18 goals, with both sides finding the net in each match.

However, my *** tip is Over 2.75 goals @ 2.35.

   

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