Preview: Bristol City vs. Fulham - prediction, team news, lineups

Fulham head into their FA Cup third round fixture with Bristol City looking to end a run of five matches without a victory.

Meanwhile, the hosts have been inconsistency personified all season, although they did move up to 15th position in the Championship standings with a win over Millwall last time out.

Match preview

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Having played just one game since December 11, Marco Silva and his Fulham squad will be relieved to get back on the pitch on Saturday afternoon.

However, the Portuguese is aware of the importance of this game with the West Londoners not experiencing a victory since November 20, their last win of a seven-game streak.

Four draws and a defeat at home to Sheffield United have been recorded since then, and Fulham now sit four points adrift of Championship leaders Bournemouth with two matches in hand.

Even with this fixture taking place in the FA Cup, Silva knows that it is an opportunity to get back on track ahead of a favourable schedule in the short term.

The corresponding game in the league took place on September 25, Bristol City coming from behind to earn a share of the spoils at Ashton Gate.

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That was a rare occasion when the Robins have finished strongly on familiar territory, but the same thing occurred again last time out as they edged out Millwall in a five-goal thriller.

Two goals from Andreas Weimann, who completed his hat-trick in the process, secured maximum points for Bristol City, moving the club 11 points clear of the relegation zone.

With successive wins a rarity under Nigel Pearson, the Robins boss continues to fight to save his job, but he will relish the chance to try to overcome higher-profile opponents who are lacking match practice.

These two clubs have only met in the FA Cup on one previous occasion, Bristol City prevailing 2-1 in the second round during the 1989-90 campaign.

Team News

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Despite the comeback win against Millwall, Pearson will make changes to his Bristol City starting lineup with youngster Ryley Towler dropping out of the defence.

Ayman Benarous, Cameron Pring and Antoine Semenyo may also be replaced, with Rob Atkinson, Han-Noah Massengo, Jay Dasilva and Chris Martin all potentially being given game time.

Andy King returns after suspension and could replace Matty James, but George Tanner remains absent with a hamstring injury.

While being conscious of the trip to Reading coming on Tuesday, Silva is still expected to name a strong team for this fixture.

Rodrigo Muniz may get the nod over Aleksandar Mitrovic, while Paulo Gazzaniga, Denis Odoi, Tom Cairney and Bobby Decordova-Reid are all options in different areas of the pitch.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Vyner, Kalas, Atkinson, Silva; King, Scott, Massengo; Weimann, Martin, O'Dowda

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; Odoi, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Cairney; Wilson, Carvalho, Reid; Muniz

We say: Bristol City 1-2 Fulham

As it stands, it remains to be seen whether an enforced break will benefit or hinder Fulham, but it does increase the chances of a first-choice team being selected. With that in mind, we are backing the Cottagers to prevail by the odd goal in three on Saturday afternoon.

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