Match Preview
Fulham vrs Cardiff City
Championship Match Day 13 2021 at Craven Cottage
Wednesday 20th October 2021 KO: 19:45
Referee:
Tim Robinson (West Sussex)
Live on Sky
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Fulham play host to Cardiff City on Wednesday night looking to build on their impressive victory over Queens Park Rangers at the weekend.
While the Cottagers now sit in third place in the Championship standings, Cardiff are down in 20th position after six successive defeats.
Having delivered no consistency since before the September international break, Fulham were under pressure to perform against London rivals QPR on Saturday afternoon.
At one stage, it appeared that the two promotion-chasing clubs would play out a draw, but Marco Silva's team showed their class with three goals during the closing quarter.
With 23 points being collected from 12 matches, the Portuguese will be relatively satisfied with his team's return, particularly when that period has also included three defeats.
Nevertheless, he will feel that there is more to come over the winter months and he will call on his players to start matching the standards which have been set by leaders Bournemouth.
Aleksandar Mitrovic continues to be a revelation this season, the Serbia international's double at the weekend taking him to 12 strikes from as many appearances in the second tier.
Mick McCarthy would have had high hopes for Cardiff challenging Fulham for promotion this season, but the veteran boss is instead fighting to keep his job in South Wales.
The Bluebirds have suffered eight defeats in nine matches in all competitions, six in a row for the loss of 15 goals where the Championship is concerned.
McCarthy is experienced enough to know that he may be past the point of no return as the club's hierarchy inevitably consider alternatives to someone who only penned a two-year contract in March.
Nevertheless, on the back of losing 3-0 at rivals Swansea City, McCarthy will demand that his players restore some pride if he is given the chance to remain at the club this week.