Fulham welcome West Bromwich Albion to Craven Cottage on Monday evening with both clubs still looking for their first Premier League win of the season.
While the visitors have recorded three draws from their last four outings, the Cottagers have suffered three defeats over the same period.
Match preview
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After a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United got Fulham off the mark for the season, Scott Parker would have been optimistic about building on that result at home to Crystal Palace.
However, despite positives being taken from the performance, the West Londoners ultimately succumbed to a 2-1 defeat, leaving them at the bottom of the table on goal difference.
Given the amount of players which were signed during the summer transfer window, it is likely that Parker will be provided with plenty of time to change the club's fortunes while they remain within touching distance of the teams above them.
That said, a further setback in a game of this magnitude will naturally result in further speculation regarding the Englishman's future, just three months after he guided the club to promotion.
Aleksandar Mitrovic has now gone four top-flight starts without finding the back of a net, a run which will need to end sooner rather than later if Fulham are to make headway up the standings.
Although West Brom find themselves in a similar predicament to their hosts, Slaven Bilic will feel that his Baggies side are in better shape heading into this contest.
As well as holding a two-point advantage over Fulham, the West Midlands outfit are coming off the back of a spirited draw away at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Seagulls boss Graham Potter acknowledged that his side had been fortunate to hold on for a share of the spoils at the Amex Stadium, comments which Bilic will relay to his side ahead of this game.
The well-documented exit of Ahmed Hegazi is a blow for West Brom, but Bilic is currently getting the best out of veteran Branislav Ivanovic.
Just one goal has been conceded in the Premier League since the arrival of the Chelsea legend, whose leadership qualities are going to prove crucial if the club are to remain out of the relegation zone.
Fulham Premier League form: LLLLDL
Fulham form (all competitions): WLLLDL
West Bromwich Albion Premier League form: LLDLDD
West Bromwich Albion form (all competitions): LDDLDD
Team News
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Baggies manager Bilic is likely to stick with the same XI which started the game at Brighton.
Despite playing a part in West Brom's second-half comeback against the Seagulls, Callum Robinson could remain among the replacements.
Fulham are without Aboubakar Kamara after the forward was sent off during the latter stages of the defeat to Palace.
Kenny Tete, Terence Kongolo and Josh Onomah are also missing for the home side, but Joachim Andersen is closing in on a first appearance in the squad.
Harrison Reed and Mario Lemina are competing for one spot in the centre of midfield.
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Areola; Aina, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Zambo Anguissa, Reed, Cairney; Loftus-Cheek, Mitrovic, Lookman
West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Johnstone; Furlong, Ivanovic, Ajayi, Townsend; Livermore; Pereira, Gallagher, Krovinovic, Diangana; Grant
We say: Fulham 2-1 West Bromwich Albion
Although there is an argument that West Brom should be regarded as the favourites for this contest, we feel that Fulham will finally break their duck on Monday. Parker's developing side should have benefitted from another week on the training pitch, and that could prove crucial in edging to a narrow win over their relegation rivals.
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Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:curlVideo prediction
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