Fulham and Brentford head into their London derby on Saturday afternoon feeling satisfied with their start to the new Premier League campaign.
Although both clubs remain unbeaten from two games, Brentford sit two points and 10 places above their hosts in the standings courtesy of their famous triumph over Manchester United.
Match preview
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Aleksandar Mitrovic went from hero to zero against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, following a double versus Liverpool with a missed penalty at Molineux.
The Serbia international was also fortunate to avoid a red card for a confrontation with Morgan Gibbs-White, strengthening previous feelings that you never know what you are going to get with the forward.
Nevertheless, Fulham still managed to depart the West Midlands with a share of the spoils, extending their undefeated record ahead of facing a rival.
While Fulham's overall performance against Wolves did not match their efforts against Liverpool, Marco Silva will accept that getting points on the board is far more important with further changes to the squad expected in due course.
With trips to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur just around the corner, the Portuguese is aware that three points from this fixture would ease the pressure ahead of those two daunting trips to the North of the capital.
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First of all, however, Fulham face a Brentford side who experienced one of the biggest highs in their history last weekend as they blitzed Man United with four first-half goals.
Even with United being far from their best, the manner of the demolition job felt surreal at times, Brentford capitalising on mistakes and producing moments of class in equal measure.
Thomas Frank will know that he has to retain a sense of realism regarding the trajectory of his squad, but there is currently no reason to believe that this group of players cannot challenge for the top half of the table.
Last week's display came without new arrivals Keane Lewis-Potter and Mikkel Damsgaard entering the action, and both players will only improve this team as the season progresses.
Brentford have only lost once in seven games against Fulham, that loss coming in the 2019-2020 Championship playoff final.
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Team News
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Providing that Andreas Pereira and Bobby Decordova-Reid shake off minor injuries sustained last weekend, Fulham should line up with an unchanged team.
Tom Cairney will come into contention if either of those players are not passed fit for this contest.
With Harry Wilson and Manor Solomon both sidelined through injury, Silva is lacking alternatives in wide areas.
Unless Brentford have any new fitness issues, Frank is likely to stick with the same Bees XI which started against Man United.
Kristoffer Ajer and Sergi Canos may return on the substitutes' bench after their respective injuries, where they will be joined by Lewis-Potter and Damsgaard.
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; Kebano, Pereira, Decordova-Reid; Mitrovic
Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Roerslev, Jansson, Mee; Hickey, Dasilva, Norgaard, Jensen, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney
We say: Fulham 1-1 Brentford
With Brentford riding a crest of a wave, Fulham are aware that they are squaring off with a team full of confidence. However, we cannot ignore the Cottagers' performance against Liverpool on the opening day, leading us to predict a draw between two well-matched teams.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
