Preview: Fulham vs. Bristol City - prediction, team news, lineups

Fulham will look to stay within touching distance of Championship leaders Bournemouth when they play host to Bristol City on Saturday afternoon.

At a time when the Cottagers are one point adrift of top spot, the visitors occupy 15th position in the standings.

Match preview

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The stop-start nature of the past five weeks has not helped Fulham's bid to get back to winning ways, the Cottagers going between November 20 and January 8 without posting a victory.

However, after battling their way to a 1-0 success over Saturday's opponents in the FA Cup last weekend, they rediscovered their clinical touch at Reading three days later.

While the level and belief of their opponents should be taken into consideration, Fulham were ruthless as they posted a 7-0 triumph at the Madejski Stadium.

Harry Wilson and Aleksandar Mitrovic both netted doubles, giving the pair a combined total of 32 goals between them in the Championship this season.

The manner of the result also solidified their superior goal difference over their rivals, and that may eventually prove crucial during the second half of the campaign.

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Performance-wise, Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson will have few complaints about the last two games, especially after the Robins fought back to beat Milwall 3-2 in the league on January 2.

Nevertheless, Pearson was disappointed to fall to a narrow defeat against Fulham at Ashton Gate six days later, Wilson's effort in the 105th minute ultimately proving to be the difference.

That setback leaves Bristol City to focus on matters in the Championship, but they face months of having little to play for unless they can find some consistency.

Although Pearson's side are still searching for back-to-back wins in the second tier this season, they have suffered successive defeats on three occasions since the middle of October.

Team News

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Barring any unforeseen selection issues, Marco Silva could select the same Fulham XI which started at Reading in midweek.

The Cottagers were able to coast through the second period at the Madejski Stadium, and none of the late substitutes made a notable impression during the closing stages.

Jean Michael Seri remains out of contention due to representing Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Having reverted to a back three against the same opponents last week, it would come as a surprise if Bristol City boss Pearson did not stick with the same system.

However, there should be changes in personnel with Andreas Weimann expected to return in attack and Matty James could be recalled in the middle of the pitch.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Cairney, Reed; Wilson, Carvalho, Kebano; Mitrovic

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Kalas, Atkinson, Pring; Scott, Massengo, James, O'Dowda; Benarous, Weimann; Martin

We say: Fulham 3-0 Bristol City

While Bristol City held their own against the same opponents last weekend, we cannot see anything but a home win. The visitors may keep it competitive for a time, but we feel that Fulham will eventually post a comfortable three points.

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