Fulham manager Marco Silva praised Bournemouth’s recent success ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash.
The Cherries sit sixth, five places above the London outfit, but both will be targeting the lower European spots this season.
Both sides have finished between ninth and 13th over the last two seasons and Silva acknowledged they have had similar trajectories.
He said: “We have been in and around each other for the last few seasons, that is true.
“This season will show something different as the promoted clubs are doing very, very well.
“After us, Bournemouth, and Forest all stayed in the league, it has been the opposite for newly promoted sides in the last two seasons.”
Silva refused to be drawn on whether he sees Bournemouth as direct rivals for European qualification.
He said: “All of the teams we play against are our rivals. Bournemouth are one of them, like Aston Villa last week or Brentford the week before.”
When asked about the threat of in-form winger Antoine Semenyo, the Portuguese added: “He is very physical.
“If you look at their front line, it’s not just him. He is in a very good moment.
“Bournemouth’s challenges and second balls are really a threat – they can build their attacking moments.
“This is a team that plays face to face with any team.”
Not face to face with a striker, though, as Fulham may have to start without either Rodrigo Muniz or Raul Jimenez.
Muniz’s injury against Cambridge, in a 1-0 League Cup midweek win, was compounded on Sunday when Jimenez limped off early against Villa, prompting winger Adama Traore to fill in up front.
Silva added: “Normally, we have both, one for an impact from the start, the other from the bench.
“We have been mixing very well then and we have managed their time. You will have to wait until tomorrow to see what we do.”
Featured image: Timmy96 via Wikimedia Commons
