Fulham will be hoping for a routine win over bottom-of-the-league Barnsley as they chase an automatic promotion spot in the Championship table.

Barnsley are in a dire run of form and the London outfit will be hoping for three points to keep the pressure on second-placed Leeds United, who are ahead on goal difference alone.

Match preview

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Fulham are flying at the moment, having gone unbeaten in their last six Championship games in a row and climbing into third place in the table.

Scott Parker's side have picked up 32 points from just 16 league games at Craven Cottage this season, a home record that is second only to Preston North End in the Championship.

Conversely, Barnsley have the joint-worst away record in the division, managing just six points on the road in 15 attempts, level with fellow strugglers Luton Town but having played a game fewer.

Fulham also boast the joint-third best attack in the league, with only Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion and playoff rivals Brentford managing more.

Meanwhile, Barnsley's defensive record of shipping 58 goals in just 32 games is better only than Luton's even more miserable tally of 66.

Gerhard Struber's men are winless in their last five league outings, losing four and conceding eight, while scoring just two of their own.

However, the reverse fixture at the start of the season saw newly-promoted Barnsley emerge shock 1-0 winners, stunning a Fulham side that had just dropped out of the Premier League.

Given the recent form of both sides, a repeat of that surprise result appears unlikely, particularly at Craven Cottage.

Fulham Championship form: WWDWWD
Fulham form (all competitions): WDLWWD

Barnsley Championship form: WLLLDL
Barnsley form (all competitions): LLLLDL

Team News

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Fulham manager Parker does not have too many injury concerns to deal with ahead of this one.

Maxime Le Marchand is still unavailable, but Harrison Reed is closing in on a return from his calf problem.

For Barnsley boss Struber, there are a few more absentees to contend with.

Samuel Radlinger and Marcel Ritzmaier are both sidelined, with the latter expected back towards the end of the month.

Meanwhile, Bambo Diaby is suspended and is also nursing a knee injury.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan; Cairney, Arter, Onomah; Kamara, Mitrovic, Reid

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Williams, Sollbauer, Andersen, Oduor; Styles, Mowatt, Simoes; Woodrow; Brown, Chaplin

We say: Fulham 2-0 Barnsley

Fulham are in fine form and have plenty of motivation as they close in on the automatic promotion places. With their strong home record - and Barnsley's dismal away record - as an additional boost, this should be a routine win over the team at the bottom of the table.

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