Fulham vs Liverpool Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Jan 4 – Can Liverpool Cement Top 4 Status against Tricky Fulham?

Craven Cottage is set to host one of the most intriguing fixtures of the weekend, with plenty on the line for both clubs. The hosts are flying high in 12th place, fresh off securing their third consecutive Premier League victory,a run that has transformed their season. The visitors, meanwhile, are firmly in the top-four conversation, arriving in London unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions. It is a tactical showdown pitting Marco Silva’s elegant, possession-based philosophy against the high-octane, aggressive pressing intensity of Arne Slot.

Fulham vs Liverpool Match Details at a Glance

Injury News and Suspensions

Fulham

Marco Silva has a relatively stable squad, though there are a couple of notable absentees in the attacking department. Ryan Sessegnon is agonizingly close to a return from a hamstring issue, listed as being just “a few days” away, making him a major doubt for this clash. The news is more definite for Rodrigo Muniz, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and isn’t expected back until early February 2026.

Liverpool

Arne Slot’s medical team is working overtime with a crowded treatment room. The most significant blow is the absence of Alexander Isak, who is out until late April with a broken leg. Young defender Giovanni Leoni is also a long-term absentee (ACL). However, there is hope for the trio of Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring), Joseph Gomez (hamstring), and Wataru Endo (knock), all of whom are targeting early January returns and could be involved in the squad if they pass late fitness tests.

Fulham vs Liverpool Head-to-Head Records

Form Guide

Fulham

The mood at Craven Cottage hasn’t been this buoyant in some time. Currently sitting 12th with 26 points, the Cottagers have found a rich vein of form in December 2025, winning three on the bounce. Under Silva, they have stayed true to their identity, playing attractive, possession-based football that seeks to control the tempo. Raúl Jiménez has been rejuvenated, serving as the focal point of the attack, while Harry Wilson provides the creative spark from midfield. However, despite the winning streak, they remain prone to defensive lapses and can sometimes switch off, a habit that better teams usually punish.

Liverpool

The Reds seem to have turned a corner under Arne Slot. Sitting 4th in the table, they have recovered from early-season wobbles to string together a seven-match unbeaten run. Slot’s system is aggressive and fast, relying on rapid transitions and high pressing to suffocate opponents. Attacking talents like Hugo Ekitike have stepped up in the absence of others, and Ryan Gravenberch has been commanding in the middle. Yet, their “aggressive attacking” style comes with a cost; they can look vulnerable at the back when the initial press is broken, and maintaining consistency in these high-stakes away games remains an ongoing challenge.

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Fulham vs Liverpool Key Battles

Kenny Tete vs Hugo Ekitike

For the home side, KFulham vs Liverpooly Tete is the defensive anchor on the right flank. His role will be absolutely critical against a Liverpool side that loves to overload wide areas. Tete is known for his one-on-one tackling ability and positional discipline. He cannot afford to be dragged out of position by the visitors’ fluid movement. If Tete holds his ground and cuts off the supply line, he stifles a huge portion of the opposition’s threat.

He faces Hugo Ekitike, who has become a key figure in the Reds’ attack this season. Ekitike brings a blend of height, pace, and technical ability that makes him a nightmare to mark. He will look to drift wide to isolate Tete or make sharp diagonal runs into the box. In Slot’s system, Ekitike isn’t just a finisher; he’s the first line of the press. If he catches Tete dawdling on the ball, it could lead to an immediate turnover and goal.

Harry Wilson vs Ryan Gravenberch.

In the engine room, Harry Wilson is the creative heartbeat for the Cottagers. Operating in those pockets of space between the midfield and defense, Wilson’s job is to link play and unleash shots from distance. His vision is essential for Silva’s possession game. If Fulham are to control this match, Wilson needs to find space away from the visitors’ press and feed the likes of Jiménez.

Trying to stop him will be Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutch midfielder has flourished under Slot, using his physicality and driving runs to dominate the center of the park. Defensively, Gravenberch will be tasked with closing down Wilson and disrupting Fulham’s rhythm. Offensively, his ability to carry the ball through lines breaks defensive shapes. Whoever wins this battle of wits and athleticism will likely dictate which team controls the tempo of the match.

Fulham vs Liverpool Tactical Outlook

This match promises to be a fascinating chess match played at high speed. The hosts will likely stick to their 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 shape, looking to build from the back through Leno and Andersen. Silva will want his team to bypass the first line of pressure with crisp passing, utilizing the width provided by Robinson and Tete. The danger for them lies in the transition; if they lose the ball while expanding the pitch, they are susceptible to the visitors’ lightning-quick counters.

The visitors, adhering to Slot’s philosophy, will press high and hard. Expect a fluid formation where defensive players like Frimpong push extremely high to create overloads. The Reds will try to force turnovers in Fulham’s defensive third. However, with key defensive personnel potentially rotating or returning from injury, there may be gaps in their defensive line. If the home side can break the press, they will find space to exploit, particularly if the visitors commit too many bodies forward in search of a goal.

Fulham vs Liverpool Possible Playing Squad

Fulham XI: 

Leno (GK), Tete, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson, Lukic, Berge, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Kevin, Jiménez

Liverpool XI:

Alisson (GK), Frimpong, Konaté, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Chiesa, Wirtz, Ekitike

Fulham vs Liverpool Match Prediction

Craven Cottage is a difficult place to go when the home side is in form, and Marco Silva’s men are certainly that. However, the Reds possess superior quality in depth and a system that can devastate teams who try to play too openly. Expect a high-energy contest where the visitors’ pressing eventually wears down the hosts’ resistance.

Score Prediction

Fulham 1–2 Liverpool; The Cottagers will make it a contest and likely score, but the Reds’ attacking variety and momentum should see them edge a tight victory.

Disclaimer: This Football prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.