Fulham manager Felix Magath believes Derby County will suit Fulham's talents more than the other teams they have faced this season - but the Whites boss says the Rams showed their class in their Championship play-off final defeat to QPR last season.
Fulham have lost their first three games this season against Wolves, Millwall and Ipswich and fans called for Magath's head after the loss to the Black Country outfit on Wednesday.
But Magath believes that Derby have a similar style to his team and it should be of benefit to them as they seek to get off the mark in the Championship.
"I think, for us, it will be better than game against Wolves and Ipswich," he said:
"I think Derby is for us, a better team because I watched them last year at Brighton and in the final.
"I know that they are a well-playing team and they are one of the favourites because they were the better team in the final and they only struggled in the last minute. It's a tough game for us."
He added: "I think they are not as physically strong as Wolves were or Millwall or Ipswich.
"They are a better team. Normally they have to play in the Premier League now."