Fulham visit Bristol City ~ Ch. Team News MD32
last updated Tuesday 21st February 2017, 6:23 PM
Team News
Bristol City vrs Fulham
Championship Match Day 32 1617 at Ashton Gate
Wednesday 22nd February 2017 KO: 20:00
Referee:
Tim Robinson (West Sussex)
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Bristol City manager Lee Johnson is counting on his side replicating their display against Fulham earlier in the season when the two clubs meet on Wednesday night at Ashton Gate.
City produced one of their best performances since Johnson took charge just over a year ago as they beat Fulham 4-0 at Craven Cottage in September and the Robins boss has used video footage of that encounter to inspire his players.
"Certainly the second half was outstanding and we've watched it back actually because I think that game's perceived as probably our best of the season," Johnson told the club's official website.
"It was a really tight game, but once we got the second goal they went very expansive and we killed them a couple of times on the counter and really secured the last 10 to 15 minutes well.
"So a similar performance would be great. If not, I'll settle for a 1-0 win."
The Robins will be without 21-goal striker Tammy Abraham after the Chelsea loanee was ruled out for "two to three weeks" due to a thigh injury sustained in last week's defeat at Leeds.
"It's a big loss for us given how many goals he's scored this season and how good he's been," Johnson added.
"But it's the best case scenario because at one point we thought it could be six to eight weeks."
Defender Mark Little has been ruled out for a month after tearing his hamstring in the same game, so Zak Vyner and Adam Matthews are vying to step in at right-back.
Bristol City have won the last two league clashes with Fulham; they've never won three consecutively against them.
The Robins won just five points in their last 12 Championship matches (W1 D2 L9), fewer than any other team over this period.
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Fulham must regroup quickly following their FA Cup exit at the hands of London rivals Tottenham at the weekend, with boss Slavisa Jokanovic spelling out where his side's priorities now lie.
"We must forget this competition, we're finished in the FA Cup," Jokanovic said after his side's 3-0 home defeat on Sunday.
"We have to rest and be ready for what is important right now, which is fighting for the top six and the next chance for us is Wednesday night."
Fulham fans will be gunning for revenge against the Robins, who also knocked the Londoners out of the EFL Cup three days before that 4-0 league win in September.
Defender Ryan Fredericks is available for Fulham after serving a three-match ban for a straight red card in their 4 February defeat at Birmingham City.
Top scorer Chris Martin could start after missing last weekend's 3-0 FA Cup loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
Fulham have won on three of their last four visits to Ashton Gate in the league (L1).
Fulham will be looking to win three consecutive league games for the first time since August 2016.
Whites' top scorer Chris Martin has failed to find the net in each of his last four league apps, after a run of scoring in three consecutive games.
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Source ESPN/BBCSports
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