As the Premier League season progresses, every match becomes a crucial battle for positioning, whether for the top spots, European qualification, or survival in the league.
This weekend, Fulham and Aston Villa face off in a match that promises to be more than just a routine fixture.
With both teams having their own set of ambitions and challenges, let's dive into the details of this encounter.
Date and Kick-Off Time
The match is scheduled for Saturday, February 17th 2024, with a kick-off time of 3pm GMT.
This timing falls during the UK's 3pm blackout period, affecting live broadcast options.
Where to Watch: Live Stream and TV Info
Due to the 3pm blackout rule in the UK, the game will not be televised live.
However, fans can catch highlights on the Sky Sports app and YouTube channel from 5.15pm, with Match of the Day airing on BBC One at 10.30pm.
Team News and Focus
Fulham's Recent Form and Team News
Fulham, under Marco Silva, have been enjoying a positive run of form, losing just once since New Year’s Eve.
Coming off a 3-1 victory against Bournemouth, they find themselves comfortably mid-table, clear of relegation worries for now. Their recent success has been partly due to Rodrigo Muniz, who has found the net three times in the last two games.
However, they will be without Raul Jimenez, Issa Diop, Kenny Tete, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Fode Ballo-Toure for this fixture due to various reasons including injuries and international duty.
Aston Villa's Challenges and Team News
Aston Villa, on the other hand, have had a mixed bag of results. Their early-season form has dipped, making their top-four aspirations increasingly difficult.
Despite this, manager Unai Emery is known for his ability to rally his troops, and with the Europa Conference League on the horizon, he'll be keen to get back to winning ways.
Villa will miss key players such as Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings due to season-ending injuries, along with Jhon Duran, Ezri Konsa, and Boubacar Kamara.
Head to Head
There have been several matches between the two teams in numerous competitions over the years, with Villa having won 27 encounters, Fulham getting the W 26 times and 22 of the contests being drawn.
It's been pretty close historically, but will that be the case this weekend?
Prediction
Given the current form and team news, this match could go either way. Fulham will look to capitalize on their home advantage and recent positive momentum.
Aston Villa, despite their injury woes, have the quality to pose a serious threat, especially with their need to bounce back and push for a better position in the league standings.
Prediction: Fulham 1 - 1 Aston Villa
FAQs
What time does the match start? The match kicks off at 3pm GMT on Saturday.
Where can I watch the match? If you're in the UK then you will not be able to watch the game live, unfortunately.
Are there any major absences for this match? Yes, both teams have significant players missing due to injuries and international duty. Fulham will be without Raul Jimenez, Issa Diop, and others, while Aston Villa will miss Emiliano Buendia, Tyrone Mings, and more.
What's at stake for both teams? Fulham aims to continue their climb up the table and distance themselves further from the relegation zone. Aston Villa, meanwhile, needs to find form to revive their European aspirations.
Willian 
Ollie Watkins 
Fulham 
Aston Villa 
