Despite earning merely one point against Blackburn Rovers in their last outing on their own turf, Fulham have reduced the gap between them and sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday to a solitary point. The London-based club have slowly yet surely started to turn the momentum in their favour and have emerged as promotion hopefuls. However, they must up the ante and start bagging all three points in their next game in the second tier of English football.
Slavisa Jokanovic & Co. are due to host relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers at Craven Cottage on Saturday in what would be a huge game for different reasons for the two sides involved. Fulham, without any shadow of a doubt, would go for the kill and here is how Jokanovic might set up his starting line-up against Paul Lambert’s troops.
Defence
Against Blackburn Rovers, David Button was marginally responsible for leaking two goals, including a penalty. Nonetheless, Button has been a thoroughly productive man with the gloves for Fulham, collecting 10 clean sheets and making 81 saves so far and should be starting this weekend between the sticks.
To be stationed ahead of the 28-year-old goalkeeper should be the pack of four defenders in the form of Scott Malone, Tim Ream, Tomas Kalas and Ryan Fredericks. While Fredericks is to be played in the right-back slot to bring about an appropriate balance between offensive and defensive needs of the Cottagers, Malone is likely to start in the opposite full-back region. Kalas and Ream are likely to be partnered to inject resilience at the heart of their defence.
Midfield
Lucas Piazon and Thanos Petsos are still out with a fractured jaw and calf injury, respectively, Kevin McDonald is suspended after his nasty challenge against the Rovers. To be installed in the holding midfield role should be the duo of Stefan Johansen and Scott Parker.
Tom Cairney has been in an outstanding form throughout the campaign, scoring 9 goals, creating 95 chances, registering 7 assists with a sensational pass accuracy of 92% and should take up the no. 10 role.
Attack
Likely to be placed on the right wing is Neeskens Kebano whose movements really make the opponents’ defensive setup turn haywire and on the left flank, the stunning youngster in the shape of Ryan Sessegnon should start the proceedings.
Right upfront as a poacher, Omatsone Aluko is expected to start and create some damage to the Wolves after having found the back of the net last weekend.
Predicted Line-Up:
Button
Fredericks-Kalas-Ream-Malone
Parker-Johansen
Kebano-Cairney-Sessegnon
Aluko
Statistics Credits: Squawka.
