Fulham vs. Burnley – English Premier League, May 10, 2021

Fulham could be officially relegated with a defeat here. The reality is that the Cottagers have been marked for the drop for quite a while now. Scott Parker’s side enjoyed some positive results in February, but they have not been enough.

A win for Burnley would see the Clarets safe for another year. But, with the way that Sean Dyche’s side has played recently, there hasn’t really been the same kind of worry about relegation at the club.

Fulham has to come out to win this game, as there is no other way to go now. That’s why BetOnline made the home side the favorite to win this one – but I’m not sure I agree.

Burnley can afford to play a waiting game and pick off what could be an increasingly desperate Fulham. The odds for the draw or the away win seem to be better value for me.

Fulham won just two of its opening 23 Premier League games this season, so it is not surprising that it finds itself in its current situation. Even with a lot of money spent last year and loan signings brought in in January, the Cottagers have failed to be competitive for most of the campaign.

Fulham just hasn’t been good enough this year, and Burnley might show them exactly how to do it on Monday.

It is not as if the Clarets have been incredibly successful this season, though. With four games remaining, they still need a point or two to be sure of safety. But, on a much smaller budget than Fulham, Sean Dyche has consistently put together a squad of players that can give anyone in the EPL a good game.

Burnley was unable to deal with Michail Antonio on Monday and lost to a West Ham side, hoping to finish in the top four. But the week before saw a very accomplished performance to beat Wolves 4-0 away from home, with the underrated Chris Wood bagging himself a hat-trick. With new owners and money to spend, Burnley might do a lot better next season.

Burnley knows that there is no need to force anything here, leaving Fulham to sweat it out to score the goals it needs to stay up. The visiting side can wait for the inevitable mistakes to come along and then punish them accordingly. If that doesn’t happen, then a draw is just as good for Burnley – and I think that’s how it might finish at Craven Cottage on Monday.