Preview: Fulham vs. Barnsley - prediction, team news, lineups

Fulham head into Saturday's fixture with Barnsley looking to extend their winning streak in the Championship to seven matches.

Meanwhile, the Tykes, who will not have new boss Poya Asbaghi in charge until next week, are eager to reduce the deficit to safety with an unlikely result at Craven Cottage.

Match preview

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Throughout September, Marco Silva must have wondered what had happened to his Fulham side with just two wins coming from six outings in all competitions.

However, the Portuguese has certainly rediscovered the right formula, the Cottagers claiming a maximum 18 points from six games and scoring 21 goals in the process.

Aleksandar Mitrovic netted 10 of those strikes, taking his tally for the season to a remarkable 20 from 17 appearances.

Fulham are also on a run of five successive clean sheets, arguably the most important trait as they bid to remain at least six points clear of rivals West Bromwich Albion.

While Fulham have collected the fourth-most points during home games this campaign, they have played one match fewer than the clubs who have claimed more points.

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At the start of the month, Barnsley finally made the inevitable decision to part ways with Markus Schopp, who had delivered just one win all season.

Caretaker boss Joseph Laumann has since delivered three points from important matches against Derby County and Hull City, an acceptable return in the circumstances.

Nevertheless, club officials have since handed the reins to Sweden Under-21s boss Asbaghi, who will take a watching brief as Laumann takes his place in the dugout for the final time.

Barnsley head into the contest with the second-worst away record in the division having failed to win any of their eight matches on the road.

Team News

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Fulham will be forced into at least one alteration after Denis Odoi collected his fifth yellow card of the campaign against Peterborough United.

Providing that all of the international players returned unscathed, Silva may be prepared to stick with the rest of his starting lineup from that day.

Tom Cairney is an alternative to Jean Michael Seri in the middle of the pitch, but Tosin Adarabioyo remains suspended.

While there is uncertainty over how Barnsley may line up for this contest, Callum Styles and Victor Adeboyejo will both expected to be recalled to the team.

Romal Palmer could also get the nod over Claudio Gomes in midfield.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Tete, Hector, Ream, Robinson; Seri, Reed; Wilson, Decordova-Reid, Kebano; Mitrovic

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Andersen, Helik, Kitching; Brittain, Styles, Benson, Williams; Adeboyejo, Woodrow, Iseka

We say: Fulham 2-0 Barnsley

With a new head coach to impress, it would come as no surprise if Barnsley put in a strong performance in the capital. Nevertheless, we cannot back against Fulham, who we expect to record a win and clean sheet versus the Tykes.

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