The Premier League winter schedule continues with a high-stakes encounter at Craven Cottage as Fulham host Nottingham Forest on Monday night, December 22, 2025. This Matchday 17 fixture features two sides separated by a mere two points in the bottom half of the table. With Fulham currently in 14th place (20 points) and Nottingham Forest in 16th (18 points), the result of this clash could significantly alter the outlook of the relegation battle and the mid-table scramble heading into the new year.
Both clubs enter this match following contrasting recent results but share a common struggle: significant squad depletion due to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and a growing list of injuries. This analysis dives deep into the tactical setups, key personnel, and historical trends that will define this critical London showdown.
Current Form: Momentum vs. Inconsistency
Fulham: High-Scoring Chaos
Marco Silva’s Fulham side has become one of the most entertaining, if frustrating, teams to watch in the 2025/26 season. The Cottagers have been involved in several high-scoring affairs, including a breathless 4-5 loss to Manchester City and a recent 3-2 victory over Burnley. While their attacking output has been commendable—netting 23 goals in 16 matches—their defensive fragility remains a glaring issue.
Fulham’s recent exit from the EFL Cup at the hands of Newcastle United (2-1) highlighted their difficulty in maintaining leads. However, their home form at Craven Cottage has generally been their saving grace, as they look to snap a two-game losing streak at home in the league.
Nottingham Forest: The Dyche Effect
Nottingham Forest has undergone a stylistic shift following the arrival of Sean Dyche. The "Tricky Trees" have moved away from the more expansive style seen under previous management toward a more disciplined, organized structure. This shift was perfectly illustrated in their recent 3-0 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur, a result that sent shockwaves through the league.
Forest has won six of their previous eight matches across all competitions, a run that has moved them out of the bottom three. Their away form, while still needing work, showed resilience in a 1-0 win at Wolves earlier this month. A victory at the Cottage would propel Forest above Fulham, marking a significant milestone in their mid-season revival.
Tactical Analysis: Styles of Play
Fulham’s Fluid 4-2-3-1
Marco Silva remains committed to a 4-2-3-1 system that prioritizes width and attacking transitions. With Antonee Robinson and Kenny Tete encouraged to overlap, Fulham often creates 3-vs-2 situations on the flanks. The central creative hub is Emile Smith Rowe, whose ability to find pockets of space between the opposition’s midfield and defense is vital for releasing Raul Jimenez.
However, the absence of key defensive transition players like Calvin Bassey (AFCON) has left Joachim Andersen somewhat isolated. Fulham’s tendency to play a high offside trap is risky against a Forest side that excels in direct, vertical counter-attacks.
Forest’s Organized Mid-Block
Under Sean Dyche, Nottingham Forest typically sets up in a compact 4-4-1-1 or a narrow 4-2-3-1. The emphasis is on defensive solidity and winning second balls. The double pivot of Douglas Luiz and Elliot Anderson provides a sturdy shield for the center-back pairing of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic.
Forest’s primary attacking strategy involves utilizing the pace of Callum Hudson-Odoi on the break and the creative vision of Morgan Gibbs-White. Without a traditional target man like the injured Chris Wood, Forest has transitioned to using Igor Jesus as a more mobile, pressing forward who looks to exploit the channels behind Fulham’s attacking full-backs.
Team News: The AFCON and Injury Crisis
Both managers are forced to "reshuffle and rejig" their starting elevens due to significant absences.
Fulham Absentees
AFCON Duties: Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey.
Injuries: Ryan Sessegnon (thigh), Rodrigo Muniz (thigh).
Doubtful: Sasa Lukic (groin).
Predicted XI: Leno; Tete, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Kevin; Jimenez.
Nottingham Forest Absentees
AFCON Duties: Ibrahim Sangare, Willy Boly.
Injuries: Chris Wood (knee), Ola Aina (thigh), Ryan Yates (thigh).
Doubtful: Nicolas Dominguez, Matz Sels, Taiwo Awoniyi.
Predicted XI: Victor; Savona, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams; Luiz, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus.
Head-to-Head: Historical Dominance
Fulham holds a significant historical advantage in this fixture, particularly in the Premier League era. The Cottagers have won five of the last six league meetings between these two sides.
February 2025: Fulham 2-1 Nottingham Forest
September 2024: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Fulham
April 2024: Nottingham Forest 3-1 Fulham
December 2023: Fulham 5-0 Nottingham Forest
The trend suggests that this fixture rarely ends in a draw. In fact, there has not been a stalemate between these two in their last eight competitive encounters. Fulham’s 5-0 win in 2023 remains a painful memory for Forest fans, but the current squad under Dyche is a much harder unit to break down.
Key Matchups to Watch
Joachim Andersen vs. Igor Jesus: With Bassey out, Andersen must lead a makeshift backline. The Brazilian forward Igor Jesus is highly mobile and will look to pull Andersen out of the central zones to create space for Hudson-Odoi.
Harry Wilson vs. Neco Williams: A battle of the Welsh internationals. Wilson is in a "purple patch," having provided three goal involvements in his last two games. Williams will need to be disciplined to prevent Wilson from cutting inside onto his lethal left foot.
Emile Smith Rowe vs. Elliot Anderson: The creative spark of Fulham meets the industrious engine of Forest. If Anderson can successfully shadow Smith Rowe, Fulham’s primary supply line to Jimenez will be severed.
Match Prediction and Betting Outlook
Given the defensive frailties shown by Fulham and the recent scoring streak of Nottingham Forest, Both Teams to Score (BTTS) is a highly probable outcome. Fulham’s historical dominance at home makes them slight favorites, but Forest’s organization under Dyche makes them a dangerous underdog.
The "goal-fest" trend at Craven Cottage—where five of Fulham's last five matches have seen Over 2.5 goals—is likely to continue here. Expect a high-intensity game where individual errors, prompted by fatigue and missing personnel, decide the result.
Final Score Prediction: Fulham 2-2 Nottingham Forest
