Marcus Tavernier has described Bournemouth team-mates Junior Kroupi and Rayan as “world-class talents” as the Cherries push for a European place.
Bournemouth defeated Crystal Palace 3-0 last time out to move up to sixth in the Premier League, which could be a Champions League spot if Aston Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League.
Andoni Iraola’s side, who are unbeaten since January 3, are six points behind fifth-placed Villa with three games to go.
Kroupi and Rayan have been in strong form for the Cherries; in the two 19-year-olds, Bournemouth are the first side ever to have two teenagers score a goal in back-to-back Premier League games.
Ahead of this weekend’s trip to Fulham, Tavernier lauded the young talents and insisted Bournemouth know what they need to do to qualify for Europe.
“Kroupi and Rayan are world-class talents. We give young players confidence to go out there and play with freedom,” said Tavernier.
“Last season was a tough one to take, but we’re not stupid, we know what we’re playing for.
“There are three big games left, and we need to keep pushing. We’re under no illusions about how tough it is.
“Our focus is to finish as high as we can.”
Kroupi x Rayan
Teenage talents in their debut @premierleague campaigns pic.twitter.com/H9RpK6ml8r
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) May 6, 2026
Fulham, meanwhile, suffered a setback in their own European push after a 3-0 loss to league leaders Arsenal last weekend.
The Cottagers were blown away in the first half at the Emirates Stadium, and Marco Silva believes his side did not meet the demands of a Premier League match.
“You have to be strong in some individual duels, we have to be able to hold the ball, you have to be able to beat your man, and, of course, off the ball, we have to do the basics well,” said the Fulham boss.
“And if you look at the way we conceded the three goals during the first half, we are not at the level that the Premier League demands from you.
“I’m not talking about the game against Arsenal – [but the level that the] Premier League demands from you.
“We were not able to defend the box like we should defend, and to be strong enough in that type of moment.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham – Raul Jimenez
Jimenez has scored five goals in his six Premier League starts against Bournemouth.
Only against West Ham (seven) and Everton (six) has the Mexican netted more in the competition.
Bournemouth – Junior Kroupi
Kroupi has scored 12 Premier League goals for Bournemouth this season.
There are just five occasions of a teenager netting more in a single campaign – Robbie Fowler in 1994-95 (23), Michael Owen in both 1997-98 and 1998-99 (18), Nicolas Anelka in 1998-99 (13) and Romelu Lukaku in 2012-13 (14).
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League games, both their longest run and the longest current run of any side in the competition (W7 D8).
The only team to have a longer run with all of their games coming while sitting outside the top five in the table are Manchester United between October 2016 and March 2017 (18).
Meanwhile, following victories against Burnley and Aston Villa, Fulham are looking to win three consecutive home league games for the first time since December 2023.
However, Fulham have failed to score in five of their last seven Premier League games, though they did win both in which they found the net in this run (D2 L3). The Cottagers had only failed to score in five of their first 28 league games this term.
Bournemouth have won their last two Premier League games against Fulham. They are looking to complete the double over them for the first time in the competition, last doing so in any division in 2014-15 (Championship).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Fulham – 37.7%
Draw – 26.4%
Bournemouth – 35.9%