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Fulham vs Luton predictions: Hatters can exploit Fulham failings
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Simon Barlow
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Luton should be boosted by the return to fitness of captain Tom Lockyer
Luton should be boosted by the return to fitness of captain Tom Lockyer

- Fulham have not kept a home clean sheet since February
- Luton have taken more shots than Fulham so far this season
- Recommended Bet: Over 1.5 Luton goals

Fulham will be under pressure to pick up their first home win of the season when they host promoted Luton at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

The Cottagers, who sit 13th in the table after four matches of the campaign, were beaten 5-1 by Manchester City last time out in a game that turned on the controversial decision to allow Nathan Ake's goal.

Marco Silva's men were beaten 3-0 by Brentford in their last home game and have not kept a clean sheet on their own patch since February.

Luton, down in 19th place, have been bolstered by some late transfer window dealings as they look to bounce back from a home defeat against West Ham and claim their first Premier League point.

Team news

Fulham will welcome Joao Palhinha back to their midfield after he saw a deadline-day move to Bayern Munich fall flat.

The Portugal international could replace Tom Cairney, who picked up a first-half injury at the Etihad Stadium.

New signing Alex Iwobi has been nursing a thigh injury and may not be quite ready to make his debut this weekend.

Luton's Tom Lockyer is expected to be fit to return in central defence, despite withdrawing from the latest Wales squad because of injury.

He could start alongside Mads Andersen and Reece Burke at the heart of the Hatters' defence with Amari'i Bell potentially given a rest after a busy international break with Jamaica.

Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga is available to make his debut in midfield and could replace Ross Barkley.

Carlton Morris will continue up front with Jacob Brown pushing Elijah Adebayo for the other spot in attack.

The stats

This marks the first top-flight league meeting between Fulham and promoted Luton since the 1959-60 campaign.

Luton could become just the second team to start their debut season in the Premier League with four consecutive losses, after Swindon did it in 1993-94.

Fulham have won three and drawn four of their last eight matches against promoted clubs, losing only to Leeds in that sequence.

Raul Jimenez remains without a goal in the Premier League since the start of last season, attempting 27 shots in 19 appearances during that time.

The Hatters' most recent trip to Craven Cottage came in the Championship in May 2022 and it ended in a 7-0 annihilation under then-manager Nathan Jones.

Joao Palhinha is back in the Fulham fold after missing out on a deadline-day move to Bayern Munich
Joao Palhinha is back in the Fulham fold after missing out on a deadline-day move to Bayern Munich

Prediction

Luton have had a tough start to life back in the top flight, but things could be looking up for them ahead of a crucial run of fixtures against likely fellow-relegation candidates.

Fit-again Lockyer is a crucial player for them and the addition of Sambi Lokonga, who has a point to prove after being sidelined by Arsenal, upgrades Rob Edwards' midfield options.

The Hatters have not been completely outclassed in any of their first three games and look organised enough to make things difficult for Fulham.

Despite scoring twice to claim a draw at Arsenal, the Whites look short of goals up front, while their defensive record suggests they are vulnerable at the back too.

Luton have had more shots in three games than Fulham have produced in four and should be able to extend the hosts' run of eight home games without a clean sheet by scoring, perhaps even more than once

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Premier LeagueFulhamLuton Town
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