MX23RW : Monday, August 17 13:27:12| >> :600:282162:282162:
Jul 18, 2020 at 3pm UK at Craven Cottage
FulhamFulham
5-3
Sheff WedsSheffield Wednesday
Kebano (11', 73'), Mitrovic (26', 41' pen.), Reid (90+1')
Reid (84'), Reed (90+1')
Reed (90+4')
FT(HT: 3-0)
Nuhiu (49' pen., 89'), Murphy (78')

Preview: Fulham vs. Sheffield Wednesday - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday, including team news and predicted lineups.

Fulham will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Championship when they welcome Sheffield Wednesday to Craven Cottage in their penultimate regular season fixture.

The Cottagers were held by West Bromwich Albion last time out to all but end their automatic promotion hopes, while Wednesday played out a stalemate with Huddersfield Town to remain 15th.


Match preview

Fulham manager Scott Parker pictured on July 10, 2020© Reuters

Four wins in a row for Fulham had them hot on the heels of West Brom, but Tuesday's stalemate at the Hawthorns saw them miss out on the chance to close the gap to two points.

Instead, it is now a five-point gap on the second-placed Baggies, who can further extend that advantage when they take on Huddersfield Town in the Friday night fixture.

That would officially kill off Fulham's automatic promotion hopes ahead of this clash with Wednesday, though Scott Parker will be after three points regardless.

It is all about momentum for the Whites now with a playoff spot already assured of ahead of their closing fixtures with Wednesday and Wigan Athletic.

Thirteen points from the last 15 on offer has been a good response from Fulham after a slow start on their return to action last month.

Sheffield Wednesday's Jacob Murphy celebrates scoring against QPR in the Championship on July 11, 2020© Reuters

They will see this visit of the Owls as a chance to add three more points to the board given that the visitors have won just three of their last 17 matches in all competitions.

The most recent of those wins for Garry Monk's side came in their last away outing - Dominic Iorfa, Josh Windass and Jacob Murphy all on target in the 3-0 win at Queens Park Rangers.

That comfortable victory was followed up by a goalless draw against Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town in midweek, leaving Wednesday firmly in mid-table.

Finishing in the top half may be the target for Monk after back-to-back games without defeat, though there is a four-point gap to make up on 12th-placed Blackburn Rovers.

However, there is still talk of the Owls possibly being deducted points for breaching the EFL's Profit and Sustainability laws centering around the sale of Hillsborough.

That could yet leave Wednesday at risk of dropping out of the division, but they will have to wait at least another few days to discover the outcome of the case.

Fulham's Championship form: LWWWWD

Sheffield Wednesday's Championship form: WLLLWD


Team News

Fulham's Tom Cairney and Preston's Alan Browne in action on February 29, 2020© Reuters

Ivan Cavaleiro was taken off before half time in midweek, rendering him doubtful for this match, with Neeskens Kebano likely to step in.

Stefan Johansen is pushing for inclusion after being named on the bench in midweek, while Cyrus Christie is another who will be hopeful of a return to the XI.

Midfielder Tom Cairney has missed Fulham's last three games and is likely to miss out again here, so Harrison Reed will partner one of Josh Onomah or Johansen.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Monk said he is hopeful of having Connor Wickham, Kieran Lee and Liam Palmer back available for Saturday's trip to West London.

Murphy was brought into the side to partner Windass against Huddersfield and the winger likely did enough to retain his in the starting lineup.

That was the only change made by Monk from the win over QPR and Alessio Da Cruz will be hoping to earn back his place up top here.

Sam Winnall and Steven Fletcher have spent time on the sidelines and they will play no part in this one.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan; Reed, Johansen; Knockaert, Reid, Kebano; Mitrovic

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Wildsmith; Lees, Iorfa, Borner; Murphy, Luongo, Bannan, Reach, Harris; Murphy, Windass


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Fulham 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Fulham's automatic promotion hopes may well be over by the time they kick off against Wednesday, but Parker will want to keep his side's positive form going regardless. The Whites have won four of their last five home matches without conceding and we are backing them to come out on top this weekend.


ID:406791:

Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday?

Fulham
Draw
Sheffield Wednesday
Fulham
90.9%
Draw
4.5%
Sheffield Wednesday
4.5%
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Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk pictured in January 2020
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Garry Monk delighted with "complete performance" from Sheffield Wednesday
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeeds UnitedLeeds482910982364697
2Brentford472591383384584
5Cardiff CityCardiff4619161168581073
6Swansea CitySwansea461816126253970
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest461816125850870
8Preston North EndPreston471912166154769
9Millwall461717125751668
10Derby CountyDerby461713166264-264
11Blackburn RoversBlackburn471712186665163
12Bristol City461712176065-563
13Stoke CityStoke47178226668-259
14Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds471611206166-559
15Queens Park RangersQPR471610216779-1258
16Reading471511215961-256
17Luton TownLuton481510235783-2655
18Middlesbrough461314194861-1353
19Barnsley481313225173-2252
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield471312225272-2051
RWigan AthleticWigan471614176556950
22Birmingham CityBirmingham471214215477-2350
RCharlton AthleticCharlton471212235069-1948
RHull City47129265795-3845

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