The venerable Craven Cottage sets the stage this Saturday, November 1, 2025, for a Premier League clash that carries significant weight at the wrong end of the table. Fulham hosts Wolverhampton Wanderers in a fixture that pits two struggling sides against each other, both desperate to arrest alarming slides in form. For Fulham, a string of four consecutive league defeats has seen them gradually drawn into the relegation dogfight. Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers find themselves rooted to the bottom of the league, still searching for their elusive first Premier League victory of the season.
This encounter is more than just three points; it’s a “relegation ‘six-pointer'” that could either provide a much-needed morale boost or plunge one of these teams further into crisis. With both teams recently exiting the EFL Cup in midweek, albeit in differing circumstances, questions abound: Can Fulham leverage their home advantage and returning players to reignite their season? Or will Wolves, despite their dire league form, finally find the spark needed to kickstart their campaign against a vulnerable opponent? The answers will unfold by the banks of the Thames.
Head-to-Head
Historically, matches between Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers have often been tightly contested affairs. Across 48 historical encounters, Wolves have held the upper hand with 23 victories, compared to Fulham’s 11, with 14 matches ending in a draw. Other sources indicate a slightly different total, with 28 games since 2003 resulting in 5 Fulham wins, 14 Wolves wins, and 9 draws.
Recent Results (Last 6 Meetings):
- 25 February 2025: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 – 2 Fulham (Premier League)
- 23 November 2024: Fulham 1 – 4 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League)
- 09 March 2024: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 – 1 Fulham (Premier League)
- 27 November 2023: Fulham 3 – 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League)
- 24 February 2023: Fulham 1 – 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League)
- 13 August 2022: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 – 0 Fulham (Premier League)
These recent fixtures reveal a mixed bag, with both sides securing victories, often with noticeable scorelines such as Fulham’s 3-2 win or Wolves’ dominant 4-1 triumph. This suggests that while there’s a historical lean towards Wolves, individual match outcomes can be unpredictable.
Current Form & Team News
Fulham
Fulham’s recent league form is concerning, having suffered four consecutive Premier League defeats. Their last five league outings include losses to Bournemouth (3-1), Arsenal (0-1), and Newcastle United (2-1). While they managed to progress in the EFL Cup midweek, it was a hard-fought penalty shootout victory against League One side Wycombe Wanderers, suggesting underlying issues persist.
In terms of team news, there’s a glimmer of hope for the Cottagers. Manager Marco Silva has confirmed that Joachim Andersen is set to return to the squad. Furthermore, Emile Smith Rowe, Samuel Chukwueze, Harry Wilson, and Rodrigo Muniz are all back in contention after varying spells on the sidelines, potentially offering much-needed offensive impetus. However, Antonee Robinson remains a definite absentee due to a knee injury, and Raúl Jiménez is a doubt, facing a late fitness test for a groin issue. Saša Lukić, who recently returned from injury and scored against Newcastle, will be crucial in midfield.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers enter this fixture in dire straits. They are currently bottom of the Premier League table and are the only team in the division yet to register a win this season. Their league form shows a series of losses after initially securing draws against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion, followed by defeats to promoted sides Sunderland and Burnley. Their midweek EFL Cup outing saw them lose a thrilling 4-3 encounter to Chelsea, despite a spirited second-half comeback.
On the injury front, Wolves will be without Matt Doherty and Rodrigo Gomes, both of whom picked up injuries in the midweek cup tie against Chelsea. Long-term absentee Leon Chiwome (ACL) also remains sidelined. Apart from these, the squad is otherwise largely available to choose from.
Tactical Preview
This match is likely to be a cagey affair, particularly in the opening exchanges, as both teams look to avoid further setbacks. Fulham, under Marco Silva, typically favors a possession-based style with an emphasis on wide play. The return of creative players like Harry Wilson and Emile Smith Rowe could add a new dimension to their attack, aiming to exploit Wolves’ defensive vulnerabilities. The midfield battle will be crucial, with Saša Lukić’s influence vital for Fulham to control the tempo and supply their forwards.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, under pressure to secure their first league win, might adopt a more direct approach, looking to hit Fulham on the counter. Their recent concession of goals (4 against Chelsea, 3 against Burnley) highlights defensive fragilities that Fulham will aim to exploit. Given their winless run, Wolves may be tempted to sit deeper and frustrate Fulham, then use rapid transitions to threaten. The absence of key wide players like Doherty and Gomes might force tactical adjustments, potentially relying on different attacking outlets.
The match conditions at Craven Cottage are expected to be favorable, with sunny intervals and temperatures around 13 degrees Celsius, with a minimal chance of rain. This should allow for a free-flowing game, free from adverse weather impacts. Both teams have played midweek, so some level of fatigue could play a role in the latter stages of the match.
