Fulham are London's oldest professional football club, playing at one of the most charming grounds in England on the banks of the Thames. Here's who they are and how to read their odds.
Who Fulham are
City and stadium
Fulham were founded in 1879, making them the oldest professional club in London. Since 1896 they've played at Craven Cottage, by the River Thames in south-west London. The ground's corner pavilion, the Cottage, is a listed building. A redeveloped Riverside Stand has added hospitality and new views of the river.
Famous eras
- Johnny Haynes: in the 1950s and 1960s, the playmaker became England's first £100-a-week footballer after the maximum wage was abolished.
- The climb: Fulham rose from the fourth tier to the Premier League between the late 1990s and 2001.
- 2010 Europa League final: under Roy Hodgson, Fulham reached the final, beating Juventus along the way with a famous comeback, before losing to Atlético Madrid in extra time.
- Yo-yo years: Fulham have moved between the Premier League and the Championship several times.
Rivalries
Chelsea is Fulham's nearest big neighbour, and Queens Park Rangers and Brentford provide other west London derbies.
How to read odds on Fulham matches
Reading the 1X2 market
Fulham at home to a similar side:
- Fulham: 2.20 (45.5%)
- Draw: 3.40 (29.4%)
- Opponent: 3.30 (30.3%)
- Total: 105.2%
Fair: about 43%, 28% and 29%.
Promoted and yo-yo clubs
Clubs that move between divisions often have big squad changes from season to season. Early-season lines may rely on preseason expectations. As results and underlying numbers come in, the market adjusts. See power ratings.
Worked example: double chance at home
Fulham or draw (1X) at 1.36.
Using the fair probabilities above: 43% + 28% = 71%. Fair odds ≈ 1 ÷ 0.71 = 1.41.
- EV per 20 staked at 1.36 = 0.71 × 7.2 − 0.29 × 20 = 5.11 − 5.8 = -0.69
Slightly negative because of the margin. Double chance is lower-risk but pays less. It suits a view like "Fulham won't lose at home," but only if you think the combined chance is higher than the price implies. See soccer 3-way odds.
Craven Cottage atmosphere
Craven Cottage is a traditional, intimate ground. It's known as a friendly venue, and it even has a neutral section where fans of both teams can sit. Home advantage still exists but may vary. See home-field advantage.
Riverside wind
Being right by the Thames, the ground can be breezy. Like most weather factors in soccer, the effect is usually small.
Mid-table balance
Matches between mid-table teams often have tight prices and a high draw probability. That makes them hard to call. Rather than forcing a pick on every match, look for spots where you have a real reason to disagree with the price, such as team news or a clear stylistic mismatch. Passing on matches is a valid decision. See common beginner mistakes.
London fixtures
Fulham play several London clubs each season, and short travel means away fans often attend in large numbers.
What to check before picking Fulham matches
- Team news and injuries.
- Squad changes after promotion or transfer windows.
- Home vs away splits.
- Opponent's fixture load.
- Draw and double chance in balanced matches.
- The price. See implied probability.
Futures and season-long markets
For clubs that have moved between divisions, relegation odds are a key market. If Fulham are 4.00 to be relegated, the implied chance is 25%. See championship odds explained.
Practice with play money
Fulham matches are a good way to practice double chance and draw reads. On MockSport you can make free play-money picks on Fulham matches and track results across a season. Visit the odds page.
FAQ
Where do Fulham play?
At Craven Cottage, on the River Thames in south-west London, their home since 1896.
Are Fulham London's oldest club?
Yes. Founded in 1879, Fulham are the oldest professional football club in London.
What happened in Fulham's 2010 Europa League run?
They reached the final, beating Juventus with a famous comeback along the way, before losing to Atlético Madrid in extra time.