Fulham

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United travel to Fulham on Sunday with both sides in desperate need of a win going into the lengthy international break.

The Red Devils, who were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton on Wednesday, have won just one of their opening four Premier League games this season to leave them 13th, already eight points adrift of the early pace-setters Arsenal and Manchester City.

The Brighton defeat rounded off a difficult few days for United head coach Michael Carrick, whose side were insipid in the Manchester derby loss to 10-man City last Sunday. Throw in the uncertainty over academy star JJ Gabriel's future and Carrick is in dire need of three points on the road in west London.

The good news for him is that United's recent record against Fulham is outstanding; they have lost just once in the past 21 league meetings between the two sides, winning 16 and drawing four.

Should Sesko start?

The only out-and-out centre-forward at Carrick's disposal, Benjamin Sesko, has been used as a substitute in the four league games so far, scoring once off the bench against Everton.

With his team drawing blanks in two of those four games, there are calls for the Slovenia striker to start at Craven Cottage, having netted a stoppage-time winner against the same opposition at Old Trafford last season.

The Red Devils have had more shots than any other top-flight side across the first four matchdays of this season, but aren't among the division's top four scorers. So far, only Brighton (10.2) have accumulated a higher xG than United's 8.3.

Although Sesko struggled to make an impact midweek against Brighton, he is fully recovered from the shin injury he sustained in early May, so Carrick may turn to the club's joint-top scorer from last season in the hope he can convert some of the many shots United are creating.

Fears for Fulham

Winless Fulham find themselves in the relegation zone after four games, with new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa cursing his luck just two months into the job.

The Spaniard's side, currently 18th, were booed off at Craven Cottage after a third successive league defeat against Crystal Palace on 5 September. All three have come via a one-goal margin.

A draw against Liverpool at Anfield last Saturday and a 3-2 midweek win over West Ham United in the EFL Cup have given the Fulham faithful some cause for optimism, though - as has Josh King's continued good form.

King, still only 19, is the Cottagers' top league scorer with two goals and the Londoner has his sights set on a senior England call-up this season. He was one of four youngsters to feature in Thomas Tuchel's pre-World Cup training camp in Florida, along with Alex Scott, Rio Ngumoha and Ethan Nwaneri.

Since the start of last season, when he cemented his place in the Fulham side, the only teenager to make more appearances than King in Europe's top five leagues is Yan Diomande, who joined Real Madrid from RB Leipzig for an initial fee of £107m last month.

On 1 February, the last time the two teams met, late goals from Raul Jimenez and Kevin threatened to earn Fulham a point, before Benjamin Sesko's late winner.

That result triggered a worrying collapse in form – since then, the only ever-present side in the division to win fewer points than Fulham are Tottenham. It is a rut Arbeloa must urgently get out of.

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Craven Cottage (kick-off 16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Kenny Tete is not available for selection "after the ball hit him in the Anfield game". They will have to "make a decision" on Ryan Sessegnon, who is set to train on Friday, while Tom Cairney is "still recovering".

• Arbeloa said Fulham have been working on their defensive game "from the first day" and admitted they conceded some "easy goals" against West Ham in the Carabao Cup in midweek. He added: "It's always more or less the same when we score a goal - maybe we are a little bit relaxing. I don't know why but we need to improve and we need to work in this type of situation."

• On the extended international break: "We will have time to work with the players that stay here with us and we will play a friendly game, but it's not the best moment when you are working so hard. It is what it is and also we are thinking about the game against Manchester United. If we can do a very good game, it will be a better international break."

• Arbeloa was asked how close he thinks Josh King is to a senior England call-up: "I'm not the coach of the England national team but I think Josh is ready. I don't see too many players like him in this league. He's just 19 years old, with the talent he has and obviously he's a really hard-working player. He's making a difference and I think he has the level to be in the national squad."

• Arbeloa said they have to play at their "best level, the same level we saw at Anfield" when they face Michael Carrick's side this weekend. He added: "We are facing one of the best teams in the world and we know that and we need to be ready."

• On Carrick being under pressure, he said: "Every Premier League manager is under pressure. It's not because [of] what comes from outside, it's because you have to be really demanding of yourself. All the managers want to win every weekend. For sure, when you are a coach of a big team you are always under pressure, but same for me because I need to win games. Both teams will want to win the game on Sunday, so it's going to be a good battle."

• On referees and the technology in the game, Arbeloa said "they can do better for sure" but also stressed that "we are behind them" and "trying to support referees".

Listen to full commentary of Fulham v Man Utd on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Sunday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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The draw for the Carabao Cup fourth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties in the order they were drawn.

• Fleetwood Town v Arsenal

• Manchester City/Norwich v Brighton

• Everton v Newcastle

• Sunderland v Brentford

• Liverpool v Chelsea

• Bradford v Peterborough

• Fulham v Crystal Palace

• Bournemouth v Aston Villa

The matches will be played in the week commencing 26 October.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Fulham sealed their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round by beating West Ham in a five-goal thriller at London Stadium.

Here are two of your replies:

Mike: We looked good going forward every time but, yet again, there was terrible defending. Joachim Andersen caught my eye especially - why do we keep playing him? I'm really pleased for Oscar Bobb, he took his goal well. It was a fantastic performance from Cesar Palacios, plus a good goal to top off his player-of-the-match performance.

Bill: Basically a squad team was selected, but despite that we played really well and we deserved the win. Palacios is improving with every game, I think he will be a match-winner for us many times this season. Bring on Manchester United this weekend. I can see our first win coming!

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has been speaking to FFCtv, externalafter his side sealed a spot in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 3-2 win over West Ham United: "I'm so happy - job done. The target was to be in the next round and we did that.

"We prepared for the game really well and we put out a good performance, so I'm happy with my players for their effort and the result.

"West Ham United is a Premier League team with top players, but we prepared very well for them. I made a lot of changes because I thought it was the best way to take on this game and to face them.

"We had a very good first half. I was a little bit upset at half-time because we conceded two goals that we just cannot concede and we could've scored more goals ourselves. I thought all the players did a good job in the second half, though. The players that came on did a good job to help us win the game."

On rotating his squad: "They were asking for an opportunity and training so hard, so they all deserved the opportunity. They all did really well. I'm so happy with Rodrigo Muniz's goal, he deserved it with the way he is working. Kevin was playing in a new position, but he did his best. It was Hugo Larsson's first game as well.

"Cesar Palacios was amazing. He is a very young player, so he will need time, but you can see his quality. He could've maybe even scored one or two more, but he is doing so well. I'm very happy for him. Oscar Bobb scored his first goal and I don't think it will be his last."

On the away support: "We are much stronger with the fans behind us. We know it wasn't the best start to the league season, but we need them. We have a massive game on Sunday so we will need them again for that. The only thing we can promise is that we are working so hard and we always give our best."

Fulham winger Oscar Bobb has also been speaking to FFCtv after scoring the winning goal at London Stadium: "We played really well at times. I felt we dominated the first half, but we were a bit sloppy towards the end of it. As soon as the second half started, we were controlling. They got back into the game and it opened up a bit.

"Obviously it was a great feeling to score. We felt like we had the game, even though they had some chances at the end. It was very nice to pull through it."

On getting his first goal for the club: "It has taken so long, but thankfully I've got it now. Hopefully I can continue scoring. It is definitely time for us all to kick on. We hope to get our first three points of the season before the international break."

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Fulham's performance

Reaction to follow - and come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies.

There are five Carabao Cup third-round ties on Tuesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Peterborough v Barnsley (19:30)

• West Ham v Fulham (19:45)

• Liverpool v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Ipswich v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Reading v Brentford

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Tottenham" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Ipswich match", for example.

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Fulham goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte has signed a one-year extension to his deal at Craven Cottage.

The 35-year-old Frenchman arrived on a two-year contract from Montpellier in July 2025 and has now committed to the Whites through to summer 2028.

Lecomte has featured in eight cup ties for Fulham, who face Championship side West Ham at London Stadium in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday (19:45 BST kick-off).

"I feel really good here with the team, also with all the staff members and all the people in the club," Lecomte told Fulham's official website, external.

"It's really good to have this extension and to move forward with the club."

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup third-round fixture against West Ham United at London Stadium (kick-off 19:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Ryan Sessegnon is dealing with a "small groin problem", which explains his exclusion from the matchday squad last time out. The club are waiting on his scan results, but he won't be available for the cup tie, confirmed Arbeloa, and he will be assessed again before Sunday's game against Manchester United.

• It was "important" for Fulham to claim their first Premier League point of the season against Liverpool, but "three points is always the goal".

• However, he added: "In a situation where it wasn't easy for us, the players did what we worked on in training during the week and everything we worked on was almost perfect. We knew we needed to adjust the things that weren't going well, and I think we did that."

• Fulham are still hunting for their first piece of major silverware and Arbeloa is hoping his "self-demanding" nature will take his side far in the domestic competitions this season.

• For that reason, the Cottagers are approaching this fixture as a cup final: "We know in this case that if we don't win the game, we are out of the competition. We know it is a final for us. It is very important to beat them and go into the next round."

• When asked about facing another one of his former clubs in West Ham United, he replied: "What a week this is for me!"

• Nuno Espirito Santo's side are "performing so well" in the Championship this season, having suffered Premier League relegation last term, and Arbeloa insisted they will be "a difficult team" to beat away from home.

• He added: "They have a Premier League level squad, so they aren't Championship opposition in my opinion. If we want to beat them, we will have to perform well."

• After rotating 10 players for Fulham's second-round win over AFC Wimbledon, the Cottagers boss intends on bringing in some "fresh legs" and handing "opportunities" to those players who deserve it.

• When asked about his influence in signing David Affengruber, who made his full debut at Anfield, he responded: "I already knew him very well. I talked about him with the club at the beginning of the summer, but they were looking at other players. They wanted someone who was of a similar profile to other Premier League centre-backs at first."

• On the defender's strengths, he added: "He has that personality, he is so intelligent with the ball, he is strong, he has the pace and he understands the game very well. I believe he can play even better than he did."

Follow all of Monday's news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Fulham? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Ian: The Fulham goalkeeper could have gone home, he wasn't needed. There was a total lack of effort all through the Liverpool team. We definitely need a left back because Tsimikas and Kerkez were woeful. A football match best forgotten.

Jack: Drab and disappointing. Fulham had a doddle against us and it is absolutely unacceptable for us to have a £350m+ attack and for Leno to be so untested and for their backline to be so unconcerned. The two small positives we can take are a clean sheet and another stellar Jacquet performance, but the one huge negative is it looks like we're going to struggle with two games a week. Worries starting to set in.

Xavier: Our defence is stabilising, thanks to Jacquet and Ronald. Attack is okay, they can score goals but there are no balls in the final third. I blame the board for not strengthening the midfield ever since Fabinho left. There's no coordination at all. A natural six is needed to strike a balance, if not we are doomed.

Fraser: Not a good performance but this is a learning curve for Iraola. We are nowhere near a finished product and a work in progress. Fans need to be patient with Iraola, it is going to take time for his ideas to get across our players. Disappointing start to the season, but no need to panic just yet.

Fulham fans

Jeremy: After four poor games defensively, Fulham were fabulous in defence. Bassey has a partner! The attack will come - lightweight but energetic and will click and gel as the weeks go by because King is magical and such a quick learner. Stansfield would fit in these front four perfectly. Just need a Mitrovic or Kane.

Terry: Arbeloa told us to "trust the process " and, on the basis of this evidence, he was right! He made a couple of changes and they made the difference. Affenberger was fantastic alongside Bassey, and Castagne and Robinson ran themselves into the ground. Berge and Charles controlled the midfield brilliantly, and King fully deserved his POTM award. Liverpool were made to look poor because we didn't allow them to play.

Quinn: We need to accept the reality of how much Liverpool's win against Atletico affected their performance. However, it felt like a more solid performance from Fulham and I think that, and the team selection, suggests Arbeloa is learning. Stability first, then flair. Next home game will be crucial.

Rob: Much much better after the carnage in the first two home games. Something to build on and positive signs. Not many sides will earn a shut out at Anfield this season.

Aadam Patel
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Against a Fulham side who had conceded seven goals in their first three league games, this should have been the ideal opportunity for Liverpool to build on their momentum and for Andoni Iraola to show this squad can cope with two games a week.

Instead, the hosts looked like a different team from the one Anfield saw on Wednesday and were far too flat throughout.

A return of six points from their first four games is hardly cause for concern, but Iraola will surely be disappointed they have already dropped four points at Anfield, with draws against Nottingham Forest and Fulham.

Including last season, that is now four home Premier League draws in a row for them as they failed to score in a home league game for the first time since Leeds visited in January.

For Fulham, this was a big step in the right direction after a poor start and proof, if needed, that the team are playing for their manager after they were booed off at home last week.

Affengruber was superb on debut and so was the captain and his centre-half partner Calvin Bassey. Fulham also had more touches (24) in the opposition box than Liverpool (18).

Arbeloa's side face the three promoted sides in October and there will be a better indication of his start to life in London by then.

But here, on familiar territory for the Spaniard, there were plenty of positives.

Had his side been more clinical, they could have snatched a notable success, but Arbeloa became the first ex-Liverpool Premier League player to pick up a point against his former side as a manager - following defeats for Paul Ince, Mauricio Pellegrino and Steven Gerrard.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Liverpool's performance

What did you make of Fulham's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa, talking to BBC Match of the Day: "I'm happy because of the point but also for the performance of my players, in this stadium against a very big team - we're happy.

"After the Crystal Palace game, my players realised where the problem is and we fixed it. Today we were more balanced and played really, really well and we controlled the counter-attacks of Liverpool.

"We played well against Chelsea and Crystal Palace and we lost, but we did many things well and we have to keep doing these things well. Today, against a really good team, we improved and have been working really hard this week.

"I know it's really difficult when you aren't winning games to tell the supporters that we're doing things well and deserve more. We can be a very difficult team to beat. I'm happy to be back at Anfield, a very special stadium for me with these supporters. It was my first time here [since leaving the club] and hopefully I will be back again."

Did you know?

• Josh King (19 years, 252 days) became just the second teenager to reach 20 starts in the Premier League for Fulham, after Ryan Sessegnon in March 2019 (18y 316d).

• Fulham have had three 0-0 draws away from home in the Premier League in 2026, more than any other side.

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest

• Bournemouth v Brentford

• Chelsea v Hull City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town

• Liverpool v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Everton (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sunderland v Arsenal (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Hull City" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Everton match", for example.

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

Image source, BBC Sport

New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

I am covering this game for BBC Radio 5 Live and will be co-commentating with Ian Dennis.

For Fulham, the big talking point is their manager, and whether they will sink any lower under Alvaro Arbeloa. He will be under pressure until he gets his first Premier League win.

Fulham look a little bit lightweight to me and, while Cesar Palacios in midfield and Gonzalo Garcia up front have clearly got something about them, it is always going to be hard for any young player to hit the ground running when they are thrown into the Premier League, especially under a manager who is new too.

If you don't get off to a good start, you are going to be scrutinised. It is the same for every manager and, while Fulham have got some good attacking players, they are shipping goals at the other end.

To lead twice against Crystal Palace, who had also started the season poorly, and still lose makes this game even bigger for Arbeloa.

He is trying to play a high-pressing game, and he also wants to dominate the ball, but at the highest level, which the Premier League is, if you are not on point with your press then teams will play through you.

Arbeloa needs a result to kick-start his season, or at least something to grab hold of, and I don't think it's impossible for them to get something at Anfield.

I certainly don't think Liverpool have cracked it after watching them win at Ipswich, and they will give up some chances with their high defensive line too.

Fulham will score, but the problem for Arbeloa is that Liverpool will score more.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's match (15:00 BST), with Alvaro Arbeloa seeking his first points as Fulham boss against his former club Liverpool.

Reds on a roll

Liverpool are chasing a third win in the space of eight days after Andoni Iraola's first Premier League victory as Reds boss, a comfortable 2-0 success at Ipswich, was followed by Wednesday's victory over Atletico Madrid in his first Champions League match as a manager.

Alexander Isak scored twice at Portman Road, meaning he has already equalled his league tally from an injury-disrupted 2025-26 campaign, and the Swede is now aiming to score in three consecutive top-flight games for the first time in 18 months.

Summer signing Bradley Barcola, meanwhile, is set to make his first Premier League appearance at Anfield. His home debut in midweek did not quite go to plan, with the 24-year-old missing some clear-cut chances before being forced off with cramp after an hour.

Barcola will be keen to open his account sooner rather than later, and a game against opponents who historically struggle on Merseyside could provide the ideal opportunity to begin repaying his sizeable transfer fee.

Liverpool have lost only two of their 33 home league matches versus Fulham and won 2-0 when the sides last met in April.

Arbeloa targets lift-off on Anfield return

Fulham are one of two pointless sides in this season's Premier League, along with newly promoted Coventry City, and a fourth straight defeat would leave the omens looking a little bleak for the west Londoners.

The only previous top-flight campaigns in which they lost their opening four matches were 1951-52 and 2020-21, with both seasons ending in relegation.

The Whites, who host Manchester United next weekend in their final game before the three-week international break, have shown plenty of attacking endeavour under new boss Arbeloa and lead the league for touches in the opposition box.

But they have been alarmingly open out of possession, conceding a league-high 14 big chances and recording an expected goals against figure of 6.2, the second highest in the top flight.

Arbeloa spent two and a half years at Liverpool and came off the bench in their Champions League final defeat by AC Milan in 2007.

But history offers little encouragement on his return to Anfield. Liverpool have won all five previous Premier League matches against managers who represented the club as players in the competition.

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Liverpool at Anfield (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no new injuries to report, while Tom Cairney, who is recovering from minor left knee surgery, should be nearing a return to training after the two-week international break.

• On some fans booing the Crystal Palace performance: "We are a very strong team when our fans are behind us. Obviously we want to give everything on the pitch for them. They want to see us win games - we know that - but we are stronger with them behind us."

• Arbeloa admitted to "learning more" about his group of players following the defeat, after Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe deleted all of their club-related Instagram posts and Kevin posted a cryptic Instagram story.

• He added: "They have all worked with a very positive attitude this week. When you aren't playing, you can't be happy - I expect that feeling from my players. I want them to show me they aren't happy in training. I feel I have a very good group with a very good attitude."

• Kenny Tete, who has not been handed a single Premier League minute so far this season, is still "so important" in Fulham's dressing room. Arbeloa urged the right-back to "keep working and being patient", and he reiterated that his opportunity will come.

• When asked what they have been working on in training, the Fulham boss responded: "We know why we aren't winning games and what we need to adjust. Our first thought on the ball shouldn't be about what we're going to do to score, it should be about what we're going to do when we lose the ball. We need to control the transition, that's very clear to me."

• Having spent two-and-a-half years at Liverpool as a player, it will be "so special" to return to Anfield as a manager.

• Andoni Iraola and Alvaro Arbeloa know each other "very well", having regularly faced each other in La Liga and having represented Spain together.

• On Liverpool's main threats: "They are so aggressive, they press high, they want to control the game and they are so quick in attack. They have a lot of top players and a lot of quality in their squad."

• He closed down suggestions that he won't be afforded the time to turn things around at Craven Cottage, adding: "I haven't just come here for three games or a month in charge, I've come here because I wanted to improve this team. That's where my energy goes."

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Liverpool v Fulham from 15:00 BST on Saturday here

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Fulham? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

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The Premier League has announced it will stage seven matches on Boxing Day this year after releasing its festive schedule.

Four fixtures will be staged at 15:00 GMT, with further matches played at 12:30, 17:30 and 20:00.

The fixture programme for 26 December, which falls on a Saturday in 2026, is considerably bigger than last year, when one game was held.

Three matches will be played on Sunday, 27 December, while three further rounds of games will be held over a period up to Thursday, 7 January.

A round of evening midweek fixtures will staged on 29-30 December, while Leeds will host Everton (20:00) for the only match on New Year's Day.

The remainder of that round will be held over the weekend of 2-3 January, with the fourth round of games spread across the evenings of 5-7 January.

The Premier League has brought forward the announcement of fixture scheduling over the Christmas and New Year period after consultation with both broadcast partners and the Football Supporters' Association and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.

Television scheduling for Premier League fixtures has been announced up to Monday, 2 November, with broadcast selections for the remaining games in November and December to be announced in the weeks commencing 21 September and 19 October respectively.

The Premier League has guaranteed clubs at least a 60-hour break between fixtures over the festive period to address the concerns over a congested festive schedule that follows recent expansions of the European and international calendars.

Premier League Christmas and New Year schedule

Saturday, 26 December

12:30 Aston Villa v Leeds

15:00 Everton v Sunderland

15:00 Fulham v Brighton

15:00 Ipswich v Brentford

15:00 Spurs v AFC Bournemouth

17:30 Hull v Liverpool

20:00 Newcastle v Manchester City

Sunday, 27 December

14:00 Coventry v Chelsea

16:30 Manchester Utd v Nottingham Forest

19:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Tuesday, 29 December

19:30 Hull v Leeds

19:30 Spurs v Brighton

20:15 Everton v Manchester City

Wednesday, 30 December

19:30 Coventry v Brentford

19:30 Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Fulham v Arsenal

19:30 Manchester United v Sunderland

19:30 Newcastle v Nottingham Forest

20:15 Aston Villa v Liverpool

20:15 Ipswich v Chelsea

Friday, 1 January

20:00 Leeds v Everton

Saturday, 2 January

12:30 Brighton v Manchester United

15:00 Arsenal v Ipswich

15:00 Brentford v Crystal Palace

15:00 Liverpool v Coventry

15:00 Nottingham Forest v Fulham

15:00 Sunderland v Hull

17:30 AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa

Sunday, 3 January

14:00 Chelsea v Newcastle

16:30 Manchester City v Spurs

Tuesday, 5 January

19:30 Arsenal v Brentford

19:30 Brighton v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Everton v Aston Villa

19:30 Nottingham Forest v Hull

20:15 Sunderland v Liverpool

Wednesday, 6 January

19:30 Crystal Palace v Chelsea

19:30 Fulham v Spurs

19:30 Ipswich v Coventry

20:15 Leeds v Manchester City

Thursday, 7 January

20:00 Manchester United v Newcastle

Image source, Getty Images

Calvin Bassey says it has been "a huge privilege" to wear the armband for Fulham in their first three Premier League games this season.

The Cottagers are still in search of their first points under new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who seems to have handed matchday captaincy duties to the 26-year-old.

Bassey, who signed a four-year deal in July 2023, has made 105 appearances for Fulham, scoring four goals and recording one assist.

"Being able to captain this club is unbelievable," Bassey said. "I'm going into my fourth season here so I know the boys and I get on with everyone.

"I'm just myself and I try to help everyone. Leading comes naturally to me because of the position I play - I can see everything and I have to communicate as a centre-half.

"It is a huge privilege and I have to thank the manager for giving it to me, but I don't think it has changed me."

On what type of character he tries to be in the dressing room, the 26-year-old Nigeria international said: "I'm more chill. Before a game, I'm just happy and smiling, as always. I just want everyone to go into a game with good energy.

"Of course you can get frustrated, I think everyone understands that. It isn't my personality to start screaming at people, though. I know everyone goes out there and gives 100%."

On looking after Fulham academy graduate Josh King, he added: "His mum has told me to look after him, so I know I can stick it on him now if he gets too big for his boots!

"I always looked after him anyway, but I got the green light so it's even better now. I'm so happy for him - he works hard and he is always on the pitch after training practising. He is a player we need."

Emma Jones
BBC Radio London reporter

Fulham's difficult start to life under Alvaro Arbeloa has been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Fulham Ask Me Anything form' form recently, with readers querying the new manager and his summer signings, and wondering if the Cottagers are favourites for relegation.

Well, it hasn't been the best start, has it? Three Premier League games played and three defeats.

Fulham fans might have been excited by what they saw in a thrilling first competitive match under Arbeloa, but it was ultimately a loss, at home to Chelsea.

But then there were no shots on target in a defeat at Sunderland, before they couldn't hold on to the lead, twice, against Crystal Palace.

Arbeloa said he takes responsibility for the things that aren't quite going right, but has also asked for patience. It will take time for a new manager, in a new league, with new players, to fully settle.

Those new players include several from Real Madrid, including Gonzalo Garcia, who got a goal on his Premier League debut. Meanwhile, Josh King has already scored twice this season has said he knows other players need to step up after the loss of Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez.

Favourites for the drop? I have seen more than a few pundits suggesting Fulham should finish comfortably mid-table.

However, they do need to pick up some points soon, with Liverpool and Manchester United to play before the international break.

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We asked for your views on Chris Sutton's comments that Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has "underestimated" the Premier League.

Here are some of your comments:

Rohan: I feel as though Arbeloa has completely underestimated the physicality of the Premier League. Without signing another centre-back as a partner for Calvin Bassey, he has allowed other players to breach the right of our defence easily. Arbeloa needs to find a way to counter this so we can start picking up points.

Rob: I think he has to change his philosophy asap. We are so comical as a defensive unit. Criticism of the players' attitude after two games? Think he should look at himself. Looking like a long hard season unless changes are made.

Mark: This was always a boom or bust managerial appointment, unfortunately it will be bust under Arbeloa! Get Eddie Howe on the dog and bone pronto.

Bryn: I believe that a high-pressing game can work, but to mix metaphors - you build a house from the foundation upwards. For the game to work, the team must be built on a sound defence, which we emphatically do NOT have!

Richard: Arbeloa is attempting to impose a type of high press Spanish-type football in a highly competitive Premier League without the players to do it. A number of key players under Marco Silva - Smith-Rowe, Iwobi, Tete, Anderson - appear disaffected and unconvinced. Arbeloa will either have to adapt and play a more measured type of football, especially in defence, or he will fail with his scheme and be removed.

Charles: There's a lot of talk about the success under Marco Silva and there's no denying that there was significant stability achieved after a period of volatility. However, is mid-table all any club outside of the big six should be hoping to attain? Wasn't it time to have a bit more ambition? Fulham didn't win any silverware under Marco and never really embraced the potential of what could be. It's a bit frightening at the moment, sure, but it feels like we're trying something at least.

Quinn: I think we need to give him more time before we judge. Andoni Iraola won six points in his first 10 games at Bournemouth, 28 in his first 20. The youngsters are trying hard for him. Maybe we need to tweak the starting 11 for stability and then bring on potential game-changers? As long as the team keep fighting and the supporters keep believing. Positive support is the best way to give him a chance.