Promotion chasing Fulham welcome Birmingham City to Craven Cottage. Scott Parker’s team are looking to build on their excellent West London derby win over Queen’s Park Rangers.
In contrast, Pep Clotet will be looking for a response from his team after their crushing home loss to Huddersfield Town. A game with high stakes for both sides.
Fulham Welcome Birmingham City to Craven Cottage
It’s a Case of Building on Success for Fulham
Fulham head into this game full of confidence after seeing off QPR in the latest West London derby. Scott Parker’s team came from behind to secure victory – a much-needed win after a string of defeats to promotion rivals.
However, if Fulham are to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive, they must continue winning football matches. They head into this game seven points adrift of second-place West Bromwich Albion. Anything other than a win against Birmingham could see them consigned to the play-offs.
Scott Parker remains without top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic who serves the second of a three-match ban. Scott Parker may opt to name the same eleven meaning Bobby Decordova-Reid will lead the line.
Birmingham City Hoping to End Their Winless Streak
Birmingham travel to West London hoping to ensure their Championship status. The Blues are six points clear of the relegation zone but are winless in eight Championship games.
Pep Clotet will demand a response after an abject performance against Huddersfield last time out. Defeat at Craven Cottage could plunge Birmingham into deep trouble with the sides below slowly finding some late-season form.
Clotet is likely to make changes after Wednesday’s horror show. Harlee Dean and Ivan Sunjic could be recalled. Aston Villa loanee Scott Hogan could be dropped with Clotet likely to play a five-man midfield.
Victory at Craven Cottage will edge Birmingham closer to securing another season in the Championship. The Blues are hoping releasing the news regarding Pep Clotet’s future will not come back to haunt them.
Previous Meeting
It was a tight contest at St Andrews which Fulham edged. The only goal of the game came from Fulham’s main man Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Prediction
Both sides are targeting the win for different causes. Fulham need the win to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive. The Blues need the points to ensure they aren’t embroiled in the relegation battle. It was a tight game at St Andrews and we expect a similar pattern here.
Fulham 1-0 Birmingham City
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