Fulham would rue the opportunity that they missed on the final weekend to qualify for the Premier League directly. Their rivals, Cardiff City were held by Reading and a win for Fulham would have sent them through. However, they ended up making a hash of their last encounter as they went on to lose to Birmingham City 3-1.
It will not be a wise decision to mull over that loss for long as they will have to prepare themselves for the playoffs where they will take on the 6th placed Derby County.
The Rams are on a high as they secured the final playoff berth on the last day as they eased past Barnsley by 4-1. However, they are set to start as second favourites when they will take on the Cottagers at Wembley in the next few days. One still cannot count Gary Rowett’s side out, as in the playoffs the form of the league goes out of the window.
Marcus Olsson could be a big miss for Rowett as he managed just 38 minutes in the clash against Barnsley and was substituted thereafter. Ikechi Anya (calf) and Sam Winnall (knee) will miss out on this contest due to long-term injuries. Matej Vydra might come into the side to replace Olsson.
Here is how The Rams will supposedly line up in the all-important first leg encounter.
Formation(3-4-3)
Defence
The former England international, Scott Carson, will be staring in goal. He has managed a good haul of 19 clean sheets in the Championship.
Rowett is expected to play his tried and tested formula of three at the back. Craig Forsyth, Curtis Davies and Richard Keogh will have the job of keeping the likes of Aleksandr Mitrovic quiet.
Midfield
Marcus Olsson might be out of the first leg and Matej Vydra might come in to replace him. Vydra has managed 22 goals this season which is an impressive haul for the Czech forward.
Tom Huddlestone and Bradley Johnson will be in their usual defensive midfield role and they will do all the nitty-gritty stuff in the middle of the park. Andre Wisdom will play down the right side of midfield.
Attack
Cameron Jerome will be expected to lead the line and he will be helped by Tom Lawrence down the left and Andreas Weimann down the right. The attacking impetus will be on these three along with Matej Vydra.
Vydra might also be tipped to start in Lawrence’s position in this needle clash.
