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Fulham logo
Championship
Apr 15, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Rotherham logo

1-1

McCormack (67')
FT(HT: 0-1)

Preview: Fulham vs. Rotherham United

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Championship clash between Fulham and Rotherham United at Craven Cottage.

Fulham and Rotherham United will know that victory for either side will go along way to guaranteeing their place in the Championship next season.

The pair meet at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night in a crucial fixture, 24 hours after relegation-rivals Millwall and Wigan Athletic square off at The New Den.



Fulham

Fulham Manager Kit Symons attends the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage on December 29, 2014© Getty Images

Fulham manager Kit Symons looked like he was steering his side to safety, but a horrible slump in form has them looking over their shoulders.

They won just one game in 12 early in 2015, before they clinched a vital 2-1 away win at Huddersfield Town on March 21.

The gap between them and the bottom three sits at a healthy nine points and they will know that if they beat Rotherham then survival will be all but assured.

The West London side have now lost just one of their last four, but that was a heavy 4-1 home loss to neighbours Brentford.

Friday night's 2-2 draw with Wigan was a key result, as it stopped the Latics gaining on them with just four games to go and drew them level with Brighton & Hove Albion in the table.

It has been a turbulent two years for Fulham following their relegation from the Premier League last season, and they will be keen to end this campaign quickly.

After Rotherham, they travel to face Blackpool before a daunting final two games against promotion contenders Middlesbrough and Norwich City, which makes this game vital as they don't want to be still in danger ahead of those fixtures.

Recent form: DLWLDD



Rotherham United

A general view of the New York Stadium following the pre season friendly match between Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town at The New York Stadium on July 20, 2013© Getty Images

Rotherham sit two points behind Fulham and just seven ahead of Wigan in 22nd place, although they could face a three-point penalty for fielding an ineligible player.

Defender Farrend Rawson played the full 90 minutes against Brighton last week, and the club has been charged by the Football Association.

The Millers have maintained a steady gap between themselves and the bottom three for most of the campaign but a run of just one win in six games has seen that gap close up, and manager Steve Evans will also be aware that Millwall have a game in hand.

Last time out they lost 2-0 to Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, thanks to goals from Lee Tomlin and Patrick Bamford.

However, as Millwall lost to Watford and Fulham and Wigan drew, there was no real damage done.

Rotherham face a tough game at home to Norwich City this weekend, while they finish the season against fellow bottom-half sides Reading and Leeds United. If they need points from those two games, they will be confident.

Recent form: LLLLWL



Team News

Hugo Rodallega of Fulham celebrates scoring during the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Huddersfield Town at Craven Cottage on November 8, 2014© Getty Images

Fulham have no new injury concerns ahead of the clash, but Symons has plenty of attacking talent who are pushing for recalls.

Hugo Rodallega, Alex Kacaniklic, and Bryan Ruiz sat on the bench against Wigan and will hope to force their way into the side.

However, it remains likely that Symons will stick with Ross McCormack and Matt Smith upfront, after both scored last time out.

Midfielder Danny Guthrie will hope to replace Jack Grimmer, after he was dropped for the previous game.

Rotherham have Mat Sadler available after his loan spell at Oldham Athletic came to an end, but the ineligible Rawson has returned to his parent club Derby County.

Striker Danny Ward could make his first start after recovering from injury, and may replace either Jordan Bowery or Matt Derbyshire.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Bettinelli, Grimmer, Turner, Burn, Husband, Tunnicliffe, Hoogland, Parker, Kavanagh, McCormack, Smith.

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Martinez, Hunt, Broadfoot, Wood, Arnason, Lafferty, Green, Smallwood, Hammill, Bowery, Derbyshire.



Head To Head

This will be the 36th meeting between the two sides, and Fulham have the better record with 14 wins in comparison with Rotherham's 12.

The Millers haven't won in this fixture since 1992, although that was only five games ago.

Earlier this season, defender Dan Burn denied Steve Evans's side victory with a 90th-minute equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Prior to that match, they hadn't met in 21 years.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Fulham 2-1 Rotherham United

Home advantage is key in close matches like this one, and we're predicting that Fulham will sneak a 2-1 victory in front of their own supporters to ease their relegation fears.

With striker Ross McCormack back in form and an opponent who has won just three times on the road, Fulham will be confident of securing a morale-boosting win.



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