'Our aspirations': Why Marco Silva feels Burnley game is 'crucial' for his Fulham side
Marco Silva has labelled Fulham’s home game against Burnley on Saturday as “crucial” to their European aspirations.
Luke Burnley, the Cottagers’ played out a 0-0 draw last weekend (at Nottingham Forest) which kept them 11th in the Premier League table and only three points adrift of Brentford in seventh.
Fulham, who haven’t qualified for Europe since 2011, only have the league to focus on after being dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship side Southampton in the last round, following Silva’s much-criticised decision to make nine changes.
That means they can fully focus on their league campaign, which sees them host Scott Parker’s side at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Both Burnley and Fulham recorded their first clean sheet of 2026 last weekend and it’s something Silva is keen to take full advantage of.
“A clean sheet is something very important for us,” the Portuguese said.
“I have to say that’s been missing and probably playing a big part in some games for us, when we are not able to win the game, to not concede as well.
“We move on for a game before the international break that is going to be crucial if you want to fight for something more. It’s going to be crucial to our aspirations.”
Following Saturday’s Craven Cottage clash, neither club will play for three weeks as the season’s final international break is followed by the FA Cup quarter-finals over the Easter weekend. Burnley’s next match at home to Brighton & Hove Albion is set for April 11.