West Ham United hosts Fulham in a crucial Premier League fixture at the London Stadium this Saturday, marking the final match of 2025 for both clubs. The encounter carries significant weight for the Hammers, who find themselves entrenched in the relegation zone, while Fulham eyes an opportunity to climb into the top half of the standings after a recent resurgence in form. The match is also notable for the substantial impact of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations on both squads.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham side enters the game under immense pressure, enduring a dismal run of form that has seen them fail to secure a victory in their last six league outings. This winless streak has yielded only three points from a possible 18, leaving them five points adrift of safety in the bottom three. Recent defeats include a narrow 3-2 loss to Aston Villa and a comprehensive 3-0 rout by Manchester City at the Etihad.

Adding to their woes, West Ham’s home record at the London Stadium has been particularly concerning. Since March, the Hammers have managed to win just two of their last 13 Premier League games on home turf, suffering eight defeats and securing three draws. This troubling trend places increased scrutiny on the team to deliver a much-needed performance in front of their home supporters.

Conversely, Marco Silva’s Fulham arrives with renewed confidence, having secured back-to-back league victories. A recent 1-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage, decided by Raul Jimenez’s penalty, underscored their improving momentum. The Cottagers currently occupy 13th position in the table with 23 points from 17 matches, placing them 10 points and five places above their weekend opponents.

Despite their recent upturn, Fulham’s season has been marked by inconsistency, recording a high number of defeats for a team outside the top five. Their EFL Cup campaign recently concluded with a 2-1 quarter-final exit against Newcastle United, highlighting their mixed fortunes across competitions. A victory this weekend could propel them into the Premier League’s coveted top half.

Historically, the London Stadium has presented a formidable challenge for Fulham. The Cottagers have failed to secure a victory in 13 of their last 14 league visits to West Ham since December 2002, recording nine losses and four draws. This longstanding record offers a potential psychological advantage for the struggling Hammers, despite their current league position.

Both teams face significant squad challenges due to player absences, particularly with the Africa Cup of Nations now underway. West Ham is without key defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, representing Congo DR, and El Hadji Malick Diouf, who is with Senegal. These absences could test the depth of Nuno Espirito Santo’s defensive options.

Fulham, however, appears to be more severely impacted by international duty, missing Nigerian internationals Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze, and Alex Iwobi. These key players will be absent for an extended period, forcing Marco Silva to adjust his tactical approach and rely on alternative squad members for attacking and defensive contributions.

Further injury concerns plague both camps ahead of the fixture. West Ham’s Oliver Scarles remains a major doubt after sustaining an injury against Manchester City, while veteran goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski continues his lengthy recovery from a back injury sustained in September. For Fulham, Brazilian forward Rodrigo Muniz is sidelined with a hamstring issue, and full-back Ryan Sessegnon is set to miss his fifth consecutive game due to a muscle problem, further stretching their available personnel.

Meetings between West Ham and Fulham have historically been high-scoring affairs, with 21 goals recorded in their last seven encounters. Despite the current squad disruptions, particularly for Fulham, and West Ham’s desperate need for points, analysts anticipate a fiercely contested match. The unique circumstances of the fixture, combined with the historical rivalry, suggest a tight contest, with a potential for both teams to share the spoils.

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Keywords: West Ham United, Fulham FC, Premier League, London Stadium match, relegation battle, AFCON absences, West Ham form, Fulham top half