Emile Smith Rowe already feels at residence at Fulham, as the previous Arsenal man appears to be like to proceed his constructive begin to the season at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Smith Rowe left Arsenal after 14 years on the membership to hitch Marco Silva’s staff in a deal reportedly value as much as £35million final month, and he has wasted no time in making an affect.
He has contributed to targets in every of his first three residence video games with Fulham (two targets, one help), scoring their second objective in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Newcastle United.
Forward of this week’s journey to the Metropolis Floor to face Forest, who’re one level higher off than Fulham and nonetheless unbeaten, Smith Rowe mentioned he was delighted along with his begin.
“I couldn’t be happier, we simply had one other actually good efficiency and now it’s onto the following one,” Smith Rowe informed the membership’s web site.
“I believe it’s all been about getting my confidence again and getting again on the pitch. Everybody is aware of it’s been a tough couple of years for me.
“I’m feeling actually joyful out on the pitch and the gaffer is giving me a lot confidence. I’m actually joyful right here and it looks like residence already, so it’s good.”
Forest, in the meantime, performed out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Brighton final trip, going 1-0 up by way of Chris Wooden’s opener earlier than falling behind, just for Ramon Sosa to attain a second-half equaliser.
Talking after that sport, New Zealand striker Wooden mentioned: “It’s all the time good to get one thing out of the sport when coming away from residence within the Premier League. Brighton is a tricky place to come back, they’re a superb aspect.
“We obtained into the lead effectively and so they weren’t inflicting us too many issues till the objective went in. Then we went on a down spell and so they had a superb spell. They’re a superb aspect, and that’s the way it goes.
“Sadly, we couldn’t capitalise on it however we’ve got sturdy character within the group, fought again and scored a beautiful objective to equalise.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nottingham Forest – Chris Wooden
Since Nuno Espirito Santo’s first sport answerable for Forest on December 23 final 12 months, solely 5 gamers have scored extra Premier League targets than Wooden (14 in 21 video games).
Wooden has transformed 29% of his photographs in that point (14/48), whereas he additionally netted in a 3-1 victory for Forest after they final hosted Fulham on April 2.
Fulham – Andreas Pereira
Within the Premier League in 2024, solely Kevin De Bruyne (74) has created extra possibilities than Fulham’s Pereira (66), with 41 of these coming by way of set-plays, probably the most of any participant.
It’s the most Premier League possibilities created by a Fulham participant in a calendar 12 months since 2011 (Danny Murphy, 74).
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Fulham have gained extra league video games towards Nottingham Forest than they’ve versus some other opponent of their league historical past (42). They’ve gained eight of their final 11 towards the Difficult Bushes, shedding three.
Nonetheless, Forest’s 3-1 victory on this actual fixture final time period ended a run of 4 straight residence league defeats to Fulham. They final beat them in back-to-back residence league matches in 2014-15.
Nuno’s aspect ought to enter the match in excessive spirits as one among simply 4 sides who stay unbeaten within the Premier League this season, alongside Manchester Metropolis, Arsenal and Brighton.
pic.twitter.com/45qKRbMvjt
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 23, 2024
Forest final prevented defeat of their opening six matches of a league marketing campaign in 2014-15 within the Championship (first 11).
Fulham, nevertheless, have additionally carried out effectively, with solely Metropolis (36), Spurs (35) and Liverpool (34) bettering their 28 photographs on the right track within the Premier League this season. Their present common of 5.6 photographs on the right track per sport is their finest in any Premier League marketing campaign. An entertaining draw could possibly be on the playing cards.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Nottingham Forest – 39%
Fulham – 34.4%
Draw – 26.5%
