|
|
| |
Automatic promotion contenders Fulham will be desperate to build on their emphatic 7-0 midweek win at strugglers Reading with another three points against Bristol City tomorrow afternoon.
That victory at the Select Car Leasing Stadium came after a frustrating run of five winless league games, winning just four points from a possible 15 and allowing Blackburn Rovers to force their way into the top-two race.
For a side whose schedule was disrupted by Covid-19 postponements, this much-needed win will come as a huge relief to Marco Silva’s men and they will be the favourites once again to come out on top considering their home advantage and superior league position.
With Blackburn continuing to pursue a spot at the top of the division, taking West Bromwich Albion’s title of being the main challenger to AFC Bournemouth and the Cottagers, the latter will need to find consistency if they want to assert themselves as favourites to secure an instant return to the Premier League.
Pulling away with the Cherries from the rest of the pack earlier in the season, they will be expected to do so once again with the calibre of players in their squad and expectations would have been heightened by their result in Berkshire on Tuesday night.
With this convincing victory under their belt, will Silva make any changes for tomorrow’s tie in the English capital as they seek successive wins in the league for the first time since November?
It’s testament to Marek Rodak that he’s keeping summer signing Paulo Gazzaniga out of the lineup and he will start once again after performing well against Reading. In fairness, he didn’t have much to deal with, but he did have to be alert to deal with Mamadi Camara’s backheel in the first half.
The back four was also rarely tested – but both Antonee Robinson and Kenny Tete provided a different option in attack and Tosin Adarabioyo will have been pleased to get himself on the scoresheet once again.
Harrison Reed lines up alongside Tom Cairney, with the latter spraying the ball around well in midweek and proving to be a crucial asset in the middle for the west London outfit.
Another top performer on Tuesday was Harry Wilson, who was a constant threat as he scored a brace and won a penalty in the first half for Aleksandar Mitrovic to convert. Continuing to justify his price tag, he will start on one the right with Neeskens Kebano on the left-hand side.
The promising Fabio Carvalho also retains his place despite uncertainty continuing regarding his contract situation, with Bobby Decordova-Reid the unlucky man who has to wait his turn whilst the attacking midfield three continue to shine.
Up top, it has to be Serbia international Mitrovic after seeing him score a couple at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, although it’s expected that Rodrigo Muniz will enter the fray at some point, especially if the hosts are in need of a goal or two.
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak, Robinson, Ream, Adarabioyo, Tete, Reed, Cairney, Kebano, Carvalho, Wilson, Mitrovic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bristol City could and arguably should have beaten Fulham in the FA Cup third round tie at Ashton Gate last weekend but Nigel Pearson’s side will know that tomorrow’s Championship clash will be a tougher test.
Marco Silva won’t be resting any of his big guns this time around and the Cottagers head into the game high in confidence after they hammered Reading 7-0 in the week.
City do have recent history on their side – the Robins have won their last five games at Craven Cottage and are unbeaten there since 1997 – but that’s unlikely to be much comfort to Nigel Pearson’s squad.
Max O’Leary appears to have moved above Dan Bentley in the pecking order in recent weeks and was excellent against Fulham last weekend, so may well reprise his role in goal.
Pearson opted for a back four in the win against Millwall at the start of the year but given the attacking options Fulham possess, he may feel a back three is needed.
That should mean Cam Pring, Rob Atkinson, and Tomas Kalas all start after they worked well together in the FA Cup tie at Ashton Gate.
In midfield, Matty James should return after his rest but City could start with both Andy King and Han-Noah Massengo ahead of him to shore things up.
Alex Scott and Callum O’Dowda have proven fantastic assets from the flanks this term so it would be a surprise to see either lose their place tomorrow.
With 12 already, Andi Weimann is on course to have the most productive season of his career in front of goal and he’ll be hoping to add to his tally against the west London club.
Antoine Semenyo has added a real dynamism to the side since re-establishing himself in the starting XI and should get the nod over Chris Martin and Nahki Wells.
City earned a hard-fought point against Fulham at Ashton Gate back in September but will need a strong performance to get anything from tomorrow’s game.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary, Pring, Atkinson, Kalas, James, O'Dowda, King, Massengo, Scott, Semenyo, Weimann.
|
|
|
|