Fulham

Fulham were promoted to the Premier League after winning the 2017/18 Championship Play-Offs. The Cottagers are the oldest club in London and it will their first season in the top division since their relegation in 2013/14. 

• Stadium: Craven Cottage  
• Stadium Capacity: 25,700
• Location: West London 
• Founded: 1879 
• Nickname: The Cottagers, The Whites, The Lilywhites
• Manager: Slaviša Jokanović
• Kit: White shirt and socks, black shorts

Fulham was formed in 1879 and is based in West London on the banks of the River Thames. Their main rivals are Chelsea, whose Stamford Bridge Stadium is actually in Fulham rather than Chelsea. Throughout its history, Fulham have played in all four divisions of English football and have never won a major trophy, although they were very close in 2010 when they lost the Europa League Final to Athletico Madrid after extra-time. Here are some of the highlights:

• Championship Winners (second level): 2000/01
• FA Cup Runners-up: 1975
• UEFA Europa League Runners-up: 2010
• Premier League best finish (7th): 2008/09

The Manager 

Slaviša Jokanović joined Fulham in December 2015 and has taken to the team to the Premier League in his second full season with the club. Jokanović is from Serbia and first had success as a player, winning the League in both Serbia and Spain. As a manager, Jokanović has managed seven clubs in six different countries, winning the league in Serbia and Thailand. 

Three to Watch

The Fulham manager is not the only influence on the Fulham squad. Here are three players to watch out for in the Premier League this season:

Ryan Sessegnon

Sessegnon is an 18-year old English left-back or winger and is seen as a star of the future. He made his debut at just 16 and has already played over 70 times for Fulham’s first-team. He is very quick and has an eye for goal.

Tom Cairney

Cairney is a midfielder who plays for Scotland. He has made over 100 appearances for Fulham and was named in the Championship Team of the Season in 2016/17 and 2017/18. 

Jean Seri

Seri is a central midfielder who plays for the Ivory Coast and signed for Fulham from Nice in France in July 2018. In 2017, Seri was named in the French League’s Team of the Season.

Last season

Fulham finished third in the Championship last season and won promotion to the Premier League via the Playoffs. They beat Derby County in the semi-finals and then beat Aston Villa in the Final at Wembley which is often described as the richest game in football.

Prediction: 17th

Fulham were the third best team in the Championship last season so might find it difficult in the Premier League this season. They need to have a bigger squad and make a few new signings if they want to survive. The signings of Jean Seri and Maxime Le Marchand from Nice is a good start.