Match Preview
Fulham vrs Bristol City
Championship Match Day 20 1920 at Craven Cottage
Saturday 7th December 2019 KO: 15:00
Referee:
Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire)
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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.
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.
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 g
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Fulham have picked up just four points in their past five league meetings with Bristol City (W1 D1 L3).
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City have won their past four away matches against Fulham in all competitions.
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Fulham have won each of their past four league games - one more victory than they had picked up in their previous 11 Championship games (W3 D5 L3).
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Fulham have had 92 attacks in the Championship this season which contain 10+ passes and either end in a shot or has at least one touch in the box - 48 more than any other team.
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Fulham has won 50% of their last 20 home league games.
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City are looking to secure back-to-back Championship victories for the first time since August, following their 5-2 victory against Huddersfield last time out.
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Of the 5 away games Bristol C has lost, they conceded first 4 times.
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Of the 10 league games Fulham has won at home, they scored first 8 times.