MX23RW : Saturday, December 28 02:34:47| >> :120:13332:13332:
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Attendance: 18,779
Fulham logo
Championship | Gameweek 20
Dec 7, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Bristol City

1-2

Kamara (86')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Brownhill (26'), Diedhiou (76')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Fulham and Bristol City, including predictions, team news and potential lineups.

Scott Parker's high-flying Fulham welcome Bristol City to Craven Cottage on Saturday as they look for their fifth win in a row.

Lee Johnson's Robins picked up a resounding 5-2 win over Huddersfield Town last time out and they are currently fifth in the table, two places and three points behind their West London opponents.


Match Preview

Jubilant Fulham manager Scott Parker pictured on September 27, 2019© Reuters

The Cottagers have really hit their stride in recent weeks, winning four on the spin and another victory on Saturday will help them keep pace with Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in the race for automatic promotion.

Parker has introduced a possession-heavy style of play since taking permanent charge and Fulham's sheer dominance of the ball is evident, especially when you consider that they have had 92 attacks this season featuring more than 10 passes that culminated in a shot or touch in the box - 48 more than any other side in the division.

That style has ensured that Aleksandar Mitrovic gets regular service and the big Serb's brace against Swansea City last weekend took him to 15 for the season.

However, one downside to Fulham's style of play is that they are very susceptible to being hit on the counter, something that has been a strength for City in this campaign.

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson pictured on September 28, 2019© Reuters

One key to Bristol City being so effective on the counter has been their use of a 3-5-2 formation, which allows them to work a low block before springing forward with pace in the wide areas.

They did opt for a more traditional 4-4-2 against Huddersfield but given Fulham's approach and home advantage, Johnson is likely to switch to three at the back for Saturday's game.

The Robins have not been particularly consistent this season but they can record back-to-back wins for the first time since August if they triumph at the weekend.

Despite Fulham's impressive form of late, their recent record against City implies that the away side will have more than a good chance on Saturday; Johnson's men have won their last four trips to Craven Cottage in all competitions.

Fulham recent form: DLWWWW

Bristol City recent form (all competitions): DDWDLW


Team News

Fulham's Bobby Decordova-Reid celebrates scoring their first goal on November 26, 2019© Reuters

Fulham have a mostly fit squad for Saturday's game, although Harry Arter, Maxime Le Marchand and Bobby Decordova-Reid are all doubts.

Should none of them be fit enough for a first team return, Parker is likely to field a similar side to that which beat Swansea last time out.

Bristol City are definitely without Benik Afobe, who is a long-term absentee, while Tomas Kalas and Jay Dasilva are both still a couple of weeks away from being able to start.

Nathan Baker is also a doubt, having gone off in last weekend's game with a dead leg.

As aforementioned, Bristol are likely to opt for a 3-5-2 on Saturday, with Ashley Williams probably being partnered by Taylor Moore and Bailey Wright in defence.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Odoi, Mawson, Ream, Bryan; Johansen, Cairney; Knockaert, Onomah, Cavaleiro; Mitrovic

Bentley; Wright, Williams, Moore; Eliasson, Brownhill, Massengo, Nagy, Rowe; Weimann, Diedhiou.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Fulham 2-1 Bristol City

Although Bristol City have the resources and the nous to take something from this game, Fulham's superior form and home advantage should help them secure a fifth straight league win.



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Bristol City's Famara Diedhiou celebrates scoring their second goal against Millwall on April 30, 2019
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4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
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17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


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