Preview: Fulham vs. Peterborough United - prediction, team news, lineups

Fulham play host to Peterborough United on Wednesday evening looking to extend their six-point advantage at the top of the Championship table.

Meanwhile, Posh make the trip to Craven Cottage having parted company with Darren Ferguson, a consequence of their defeat at relegation rivals Derby County.

Match preview

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While Marco Silva and his Fulham players would have respected Huddersfield Town ahead of Saturday's fixture, they would not have envisaged suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat to their fellow promotion-chasing side.

The Cottagers halved the deficit after finding themselves two goals down at the break, but it was not enough to stop their seven-match league unbeaten run coming to an end.

On a positive note, Fulham start the week still sitting six points clear of Bournemouth and 10 points ahead of third-placed Blackburn Rovers, but Silva will know that he requires an instant response from his players.

Despite possessing the best home record in the division, Fulham have now suffered two defeats in their last six outings at their West London base.

Having made a return to the starting lineup, Bobby Decordova-Reid scored his third goal in four outings, more than half of his tally for the entire season.

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Opponents Peterborough find themselves in all sorts of disarray both on and off the pitch with Ferguson departing as manager after a nine-game winless streak in the league.

With the owners said to have "reluctantly accepted his resignation", the search is now on for a successor, one which will likely stretch past this fixture.

Nevertheless, the club's first-team squad must stay focused on the job in hand after Saturday's defeat at Derby left them five points adrift of safety.

There will be those who will argue that this game represents something of a free pass, but Posh can ill-afford a heavy defeat on top of a goal difference which already stands at minus 38.

That said, Peterborough have lost 14 of their 16 away games this season, conceding as many as 43 goals.

Team News

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Silva could take the opportunity to freshen up his Fulham side with several players pushing for a chance in the starting lineup.

Harrison Reed, Neeskens Kebano and Ivan Cavaleiro may come into the team, with Tom Cairney, Fabio Carvalho and Harry Wilson all at risk of being handed a rest.

Kenny Tete and Jean Michael Seri are also alternatives for Silva as he takes a hectic schedule into consideration.

Peterborough will be without defender Hayden Coulson after his dismissal at Pride Park, putting Bali Mumba in line for a recall.

Jonson Clarke-Harris is an option in the final third, but Posh are unlikely to make many changes from the team which started at Derby.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Williams, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Chalobah; Cavaleiro, Reid, Kebano; Mitrovic

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Benda; Thompson, Knight, Kent, Mumba; Brown, Fuchs, Norburn; Ward, Clarke-Harris, Grant

We say: Fulham 4-0 Peterborough United

Regardless of the goings on at both clubs over the weekend, this is still first versus 23rd. With complacency also not a factor in the Fulham ranks, expect the home side to power their way to a dominant win in the capital.

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