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Emile Smith Rowe already feels at house at Fulham, as the previous Arsenal man appears to proceed his optimistic begin to the season at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Smith Rowe left Arsenal after 14 years on the membership to hitch Marco Silva’s workforce in a deal reportedly value as much as £35million final month, and he has wasted no time in making an affect.
He has contributed to objectives in every of his first three house video games with Fulham (two objectives, one help), scoring their second aim in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Newcastle United.
Forward of this week’s journey to the Metropolis Floor to face Forest, who’re one level higher off than Fulham and nonetheless unbeaten, Smith Rowe mentioned he was delighted along with his begin.
“I couldn’t be happier, we simply had one other actually good efficiency and now it’s onto the subsequent one,” Smith Rowe instructed the membership’s web site.
“I feel it’s all been about getting my confidence again and getting again on the pitch. Everybody is aware of it’s been a tough couple of years for me.
“I’m feeling actually comfortable out on the pitch and the gaffer is giving me a lot confidence. I’m actually comfortable right here and it looks like house already, so it’s good.”
Forest, in the meantime, performed out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Brighton final day out, going 1-0 up via Chris Wooden’s opener earlier than falling behind, just for Ramon Sosa to attain a second-half equaliser.
Talking after that recreation, New Zealand striker Wooden mentioned: “It’s all the time good to get one thing out of the sport when coming away from house within the Premier League. Brighton is a tricky place to return, they’re aspect.
“We acquired into the lead effectively they usually weren’t inflicting us too many issues till the aim went in. Then we went on a down spell they usually had spell. They’re aspect, and that’s the way it goes.
“Sadly, we couldn’t capitalise on it however we’ve sturdy character within the group, fought again and scored a stunning aim to equalise.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nottingham Forest – Chris Wooden
Since Nuno Espirito Santo’s first recreation in command of Forest on December 23 final yr, solely 5 gamers have scored extra Premier League objectives than Wooden (14 in 21 video games).
Wooden has transformed 29% of his photographs in that point (14/48), whereas he additionally netted in a 3-1 victory for Forest once they final hosted Fulham on April 2.
Fulham – Andreas Pereira
Within the Premier League in 2024, solely Kevin De Bruyne (74) has created extra possibilities than Fulham’s Pereira (66), with 41 of these coming through set-plays, probably the most of any participant.
It’s the most Premier League possibilities created by a Fulham participant in a calendar yr since 2011 (Danny Murphy, 74).
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Fulham have received extra league video games in opposition to Nottingham Forest than they’ve versus another opponent of their league historical past (42). They’ve received eight of their final 11 in opposition to the Tough Bushes, dropping three.
Nevertheless, Forest’s 3-1 victory on this precise fixture final time period ended a run of 4 straight house league defeats to Fulham. They final beat them in back-to-back house league matches in 2014-15.
Nuno’s aspect ought to enter the match in excessive spirits as one in every of simply 4 sides who stay unbeaten within the Premier League this season, alongside Manchester Metropolis, Arsenal and Brighton.
pic.twitter.com/45qKRbMvjt
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 23, 2024
Forest final averted defeat of their opening six matches of a league marketing campaign in 2014-15 within the Championship (first 11).
Fulham, nevertheless, have additionally carried out effectively, with solely Metropolis (36), Spurs (35) and Liverpool (34) bettering their 28 photographs on track within the Premier League this season. Their present common of 5.6 photographs on track per recreation is their greatest in any Premier League marketing campaign. An entertaining draw might be on the playing cards.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Nottingham Forest – 39%
Fulham – 34.4%
Draw – 26.5%
