MX23RW : Monday, December 23 23:04:20| >> :600:204699:204699:
Dec 21, 2019 at 3pm UK at ​Craven Cottage
Attendance: 18,878
Fulham
2-1
LeedsLeeds United
Mitrovic (7' pen.), Onomah (69')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Bamford (54')

Preview: Fulham vs. Leeds United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews the Championship clash between Fulham and Leeds United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

An out-of-form Fulham face a difficult test on Saturday as they host title-chasing Leeds United at Craven Cottage off the back of three straight defeats.

Scott Parker's side entertain a Leeds side that are 12 points ahead of them in the Championship table and have not lost in 11 games in a row.


Match preview


Fulham's Ivan Cavaleiro celebrates scoring their first goal on August 21, 2019© Reuters

Fulham are enduring a poor run of form at present, having lost each of their last three Championship fixtures.

The Cottagers are still in a playoff place but are only ahead of Bristol City on goal difference and just three points separate them from 12th-placed Cardiff City, meaning any further slip-ups are likely to be punished.

Championship top-scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic always gives Fulham a chance, however, and has netted in 12 of his 21 games so far, registering a league-high 16 goals.

The Serbian will face a tough test to add to that tally, however, coming up against the league's tightest defence next.

Leeds have conceded just 13 times in their 22 games so far and have kept 12 Championship clean sheets, including one against league leaders and highest scorers West Bromwich Albion in a 1-0 win.

However, they have just shipped three against Cardiff to draw 3-3 despite going 3-0 up in their last game, ending a run of four games without conceding.

That disappointing result also ended a seven-game winning streak, but Marcelo Bielsa's side remain unbeaten in 11 league outings and are just two points behind West Brom in second place.

Leeds have also generated a 10-point gap between themselves and third-placed Preston North End as they look to secure automatic promotion at the second time of asking under the Argentine coach.

Fulham's 2-0 win over Leeds in 2018 ended a run of five successive draws, including four 1-1 scorelines in a row - a run that stretches back to 2015.

Fulham Championship form: WWWLLL

Leeds United Championship form: WWWWWD


Team News


Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa on December 7, 2019© Reuters

Fulham boss Parker is a little short on defensive options, but does not have too many absences to contend with.

Denis Odoi is still suspended following his straight red card in the 2-1 defeat to Preston, but Maxime Le Marchand and Harry Arter, despite being doubts, are nearing a return to action.

Leeds head coach Bielsa, on the other hand, has a slightly longer list of injuries to deal with.

Jamie Shackleton and Tyler Roberts are both definitely out, leaving Leeds short of central midfield options.

Fellow midfielder Adam Forshaw is back in training but is still a doubt, while Liam Cooper is closing in on a return.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Christie, Mawson, Ream, Bryan; Johansen, Onomah, Cairney; Knockaert, Mitrovic, Cavaleiro

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Casilla; Ayling, White, Berardi, Dallas; Phillips; Costa, Hernandez, Klich, Harrison; Bamford


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We say: Fulham 1-1 Leeds United

Despite the flying form of Bielsa's side and Fulham's poor recent run of results, Leeds's poor record away to London teams - coupled with their record of five draws in their last six with the Cottagers - may mean that another 1-1 draw could be on the cards.


body check tags ::

Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Fulham and Leeds United?

Fulham
Draw
Leeds United
Fulham
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Leeds United
0.0%
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Kalvin Phillips in action for Leeds United on October 23, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17161042142849
2Leicester CityLeicester18123341142739
3Manchester CityMan City18122450203038
4Chelsea1810263325832
5Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd187742216628
6Wolverhampton WanderersWolves186932622427
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs187563226626
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd186752622425
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle187471824-625
10Burnley187382329-624
11Arsenal185852427-323
12Crystal Palace186571520-523
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton185582126-520
14Bournemouth185491925-619
15Everton185492029-919
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham175481928-919
17Southampton1853102137-1618
18Aston Villa1843112433-915
19Norwich CityNorwich1833121937-1812
20Watford1826101132-2112

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