MX23RW : Friday, October 29 11:53:48| >> :120:13663:13663:
Oct 20, 2021 at 7.45pm UK at Craven Cottage
FulhamFulham
2-0
CardiffCardiff City
Cairney (57'), Mitrovic (63')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Pack (69'), Bagan (78'), Ng (85')

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

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Championship clash between Fulham and Cardiff City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Fulham play host to Cardiff City on Wednesday night looking to build on their impressive victory over Queens Park Rangers at the weekend.

While the Cottagers now sit in third place in the Championship standings, Cardiff are down in 20th position after six successive defeats.


Match preview

Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring their first goal on October 16, 2021© Reuters

Having delivered no consistency since before the September international break, Fulham were under pressure to perform against London rivals QPR on Saturday afternoon.

At one stage, it appeared that the two promotion-chasing clubs would play out a draw, but Marco Silva's team showed their class with three goals during the closing quarter.

With 23 points being collected from 12 matches, the Portuguese will be relatively satisfied with his team's return, particularly when that period has also included three defeats.

Nevertheless, he will feel that there is more to come over the winter months and he will call on his players to start matching the standards which have been set by leaders Bournemouth.

Aleksandar Mitrovic continues to be a revelation this season, the Serbia international's double at the weekend taking him to 12 strikes from as many appearances in the second tier.

Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy on September 28, 2021© Reuters

Mick McCarthy would have had high hopes for Cardiff challenging Fulham for promotion this season, but the veteran boss is instead fighting to keep his job in South Wales.

The Bluebirds have suffered eight defeats in nine matches in all competitions, six in a row for the loss of 15 goals where the Championship is concerned.

McCarthy is experienced enough to know that he may be past the point of no return as the club's hierarchy inevitably consider alternatives to someone who only penned a two-year contract in March.

Nevertheless, on the back of losing 3-0 at rivals Swansea City, McCarthy will demand that his players restore some pride if he is given the chance to remain at the club this week.

Fulham Championship form:
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W

Fulham form (all competitions):
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W

Cardiff City Championship form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L



Team News

Fulham's Bobby Reid celebrates scoring against QPR in the FA Cup on January 9, 2021© Reuters

Bobby Decordova Reid is expected to be handed a place in the Fulham XI after replacing the injured Ivan Cavaleiro against QPR.

Antonee Robinson should return at left-back in place of Joe Bryan, while Nathaniel Chalobah is an option if Silva wants to freshen up his midfield.

McCarthy will almost certainly make alterations to his Cardiff starting lineup with Will Vaulks a likely inclusion in midfield.

The versatile Rubin Colwill could feature on the right-hand side of midfield or play in close proximity to Kieffer Moore.

With changes to the backline expected, Perry Ng may feature at right-back.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Odoi, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Seri, Reed; Kebano, Reid, Wilson; Mitrovic

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Smithies; Ng, Morrison, Flint, Nelson, Brown; Colwill, Ralls, Vaulks, Giles; Moore


SM words green background

We say: Fulham 3-0 Cardiff City

This will surely be one-way traffic. Even with the unpredictability of the Championship, a trip to Fulham is the worst possible fixture for the Bluebirds, and we expect the home side to ease their way to victory.


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How you voted: Fulham vs Cardiff

Fulham
83.8%
Draw
11.0%
Cardiff City
5.2%
154
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Fulham manager Marco Silva applauds fans after the match on September 11, 2021
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bournemouth1410402481634
2Fulham1492333141929
3West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom1484225111428
4Coventry CityCoventry147342017324
5Luton TownLuton145632318521
6Middlesbrough146351713421
7Queens Park RangersQPR146352522321
8Huddersfield TownHuddersfield146351817121
9Stoke CityStoke146351716121
10Millwall145631515021
11Blackpool146351718-121
12Blackburn RoversBlackburn145542317620
13Reading146172024-419
14Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd145362021-118
15Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest145271820-217
16Swansea CitySwansea144551517-217
17Bristol City144461520-516
18Birmingham CityBirmingham144461217-516
19Preston North EndPreston143651418-415
20Peterborough UnitedPeterborough144281627-1114
21Cardiff CityCardiff143291226-1411
22Hull City14239920-119
23Barnsley14158920-118
24Derby CountyDerby143831011-15

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