Fulham vs Aston Villa Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - Premier League

Fulham travel to Villa Park on Saturday to face an Aston Villa side that has beaten Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United in its last five league matches. Fulham have won their last two matches, but they have scored twice in four away matches this season, and Villa Park will ask questions that road record does not answer.

The Matchup

Aston Villa come into this game as the form side in this corner of the table. Unai Emery's side are ninth at 3-2-3, and their last five league matches have brought wins over Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Manchester City, the latest of them a 2-1 win over City at Villa Park on October 24.

Villa have scored 9 goals and conceded 12 in eight matches, and their home record is only 1-1-2, which is the honest warning in this fixture. Fulham are fifteenth at 2-2-4 and have won their last two matches, beating Hull City 1-0 at home and winning 1-0 at Coventry City on October 24.

Neither club has named its side yet. The expectation is Nicolas Jackson leading Villa's line again after starting against Manchester City, with John McGinn, Johan Manzambi and Alysson around him and Boubacar Kamara and João Gomes in midfield. Villa remain without Amadou Onana, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Matteo Ruggeri.

For Fulham, the expectation is Gonzalo García leading the line again after starting at Coventry, with Oscar Bobb, Josh King and Alex Iwobi around him. Ryan Sessegnon is suspended, and Emile Smith Rowe is a doubt after missing the Coventry match.

Key Factors

Jackson is the player Fulham have to stop. He scored both of Villa's goals in the 2-1 win over Manchester City, with McGinn setting up one of them, and he was rested completely in Villa's midweek cup tie at Bournemouth, so he comes into Saturday fresh. Fulham's problem is the road. The visitors have scored 2 goals in four away matches and conceded 3, winning once, and a side that quiet away from home cannot afford to chase a game at Villa Park.

The counterpoint is Villa's own home record and Fulham's last fortnight. Villa have won one of four at home in the league, drawing with Brentford and losing to Nottingham Forest and Arsenal, so this ground has not been a fortress. Fulham have also kept things tight on their travels, with a 0-0 draw at Liverpool in September, and Bobb scored the winner at Coventry last weekend. If Fulham score first and settle into their shape, Villa will have to break down a side that is comfortable defending a lead.

Every pick is published with its line before the game. Odds via consensus sportsbooks at time of writing and move constantly. Must be 21+. If gambling is a problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.