MX23RW : Friday, June 19 03:53:14| >> :120:28728:28728:
Jun 20, 2020 at 12.30pm UK at Craven Cottage
Fulham
vs.
Brentford

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between West London rivals Fulham and Brentford, including team news and predicted lineups.

West London rivals Fulham and Brentford face off at Craven Cottage on Saturday lunchtime in a huge clash at the top end of the Championship.

Fulham are third in the table, six points off the automatic promotion places, while neighbours Brentford are four points further back in fourth.


Match preview

Fulham's Harry Arter celebrates scoring their second goal with Joe Bryan and Cyrus Christie on January 4, 2020© Reuters

The three-month hiatus came at a bad time for Fulham, who had some momentum on their side in their pursuit of a top-two finish.

Scott Parker's side beat Swansea City and Preston North End in successive home games, sandwiched by away draws at Derby County and Bristol City, to close the gap on second place.

West Bromwich Albion picked up just one point from the last six on offer, though they are still six points better off than Fulham with only nine matches left to play.

Fulham know that they have to hit the ground running if they are to have a realistic shot of going up automatically, but they have two very tough games on their return to action.

After taking on Brentford this weekend, Parker's men then turn focus to league leaders Leeds United the following week, while a trip to West Brom is also on the horizon.

Brentford's Ethan Pinnock celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 15, 2020© Reuters

Brentford are not entirely out of the automatic promotion picture, with a favourable set of results this week potentially seeing them move to within seven points of second.

However, the immediate priority for the Bees is to hold off the chasing pack to secure a playoff spot, with just seven points separating them and Swansea down in 11th.

Thomas Frank's side had a mixed time of things prior to the coronavirus-enforced shutdown, following a five-match winless run with a thumping 5-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

They remain winless in three away from home, though, and that could prove problematic as Fulham boast the best home form in the division - 12 wins and two draws in 19 matches.

Incredibly, however, the Cottagers have won just one of their last 18 home games against Brentford in all competitions - a 1-0 victory back in April 1990.

That is a run that they will need to put an end to on Saturday if they are to keep alive their hopes of an automatic return to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Fulham's Championship form: DLDWWD

Brentford's Championship form: DDDLDW


Team News

Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring for Fulham on February 1, 2020© Reuters

Fulham will be without loanee Terence Kongolo for the remainder of the season because of a foot injury sustained in February.

Central defender Alfie Mawson will also miss this first game back because of a knee problem, but Parker otherwise has a fully-fit squad to choose from.

That includes a fit and firing Aleksandar Mitrovic, who leads the Championship scoring charts and has won more points with his goals than any other player in the league this term.

The prolonged hiatus, meanwhile, has given Brentford an opportunity to get some key players back to full fitness.

Pontus Jansson, Mathias Jensen and Kamo Mokotjo would have sat this match out had it gone ahead as originally scheduled in March, but all three players are now available.

Said Benrahma has formed an impressive partnership with Ollie Watkins and Bryan Mbeumo this season, leading to speculation that he is a target for Premier League giants Chelsea.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Christie, Hector, Ream, Bryan; Arter, Cairney; Knockaert, Reid, Cavaleiro; Mitrovic

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Martin; Dalsgaard, Pinnock, Jansson, Henry; Mokotjo, Jensen, Dasilva; Mbeumo, Watkins, Benrahma


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Fulham 2-1 Brentford

Brentford have won just two of their last 10 away league outings, while Fulham have an unrivalled 38 home points this term in the second tier. Form may ultimately go out of the window this weekend, but we are still backing the hosts to grind out all three points against their West London rivals.


ID:402932:

Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Fulham and Brentford?

Fulham
Draw
Brentford
Fulham
52.0%
Draw
8.0%
Brentford
40.0%
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West Bromwich Albion's Jake Livermore celebrates scoring their second goal with Hal Robson-Kanu and teammates on February 25, 2020
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds37218856302671
2West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom371913564372770
3Fulham371810952381464
4Brentford371791164333160
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest371612948381060
6Preston North EndPreston37168135045556
7Bristol City371510125153-255
8Millwall37131594440454
9Cardiff CityCardiff37131595250254
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn371411125245753
11Swansea CitySwansea371314104645153
12Derby CountyDerby371312124949051
13Queens Park RangersQPR37148155862-450
14Reading37139154642448
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds37139154649-348
16Birmingham CityBirmingham371211144857-947
17Stoke CityStoke37126194955-642
18Huddersfield TownHuddersfield37119174558-1342
19Middlesbrough37914143747-1041
20Wigan AthleticWigan371011163850-1241
21Hull City37118184963-1441
22Charlton AthleticCharlton37109184454-1039
23Luton TownLuton37105224371-2835
24Barnsley37810194262-2034

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