MX23RW : Monday, December 23 01:49:48| >> :600:393237:393237:
[monks data]
Fulham logo
Championship
Feb 28, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Derby logo

2-0

Bodurov (31'), Woodrow (45')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Preview: Fulham vs. Derby County

Sports Mole looks ahead to Derby's trip to out-of-form Fulham on Saturday as the Championship leaders look to extend the gap at the top.

Championship leaders Derby County will continue their title charge on Saturday as they face Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Rams have taken control of the fascinating battle at the top of the table, capitalising on those around them dropping points to move two points clear of second-placed Middlesbrough and five ahead of third-placed Ipswich Town.

Back-to-back victories have stretched Derby's unbeaten streak in the league to seven matches, with Tuesday's comfortable 2-0 triumph over Charlton Athletic consolidating their position at the top.

That win would have been particularly pleasing due to the clean sheet that came with it - Derby's first in six matches, having conceded 10 goals in the previous five.

Steve McClaren's side have drawn their most recent two away games but are unbeaten in their last five on the road, while only three teams in the division have a better record on their travels this season.

They have only won one of their last 10 league visits to face Fulham, but already have an emphatic victory at Craven Cottage under their belts this season.

The Rams came from two goals down to thrash the Cottagers 5-2 in the League Cup back in October, having already recorded a 5-1 win over the West London outfit in the reverse league fixture.

Goals are unlikely to be an issue again this weekend with Darren Bent stepping up to the plate in Chris Martin's absence, scoring seven goals in his last nine games for the club.

Martin is nearing a return to action but may not be fit in time for Saturday, while George Thorne could be rested having started twice already this week following a long injury lay-off.

Simon Dawkins has already scored three times against Fulham this season but faces a difficult task in getting back into the team ahead of the in-form Tom Ince and Jesse Lingard, the latter of whom scored on his full debut in midweek.

Fulham would have had pre-season aspirations of challenging the likes of Derby for the Championship title following their relegation from the Premier League last season, but things have not worked as planned for Kit Symons's side.

A 3-0 defeat at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night left the Fulham boss "fuming" as their winless run extended to eight matches in all competitions.

The Cottagers have picked up just two points from the last 18 available in the league and find themselves languishing down in 20th place as a result, only five points clear of the relegation zone.

Their home form has kept their heads above the water so far, but they are yet to win in three outings at Craven Cottage this month and face the second of three consecutive home matches against teams currently in the top four this weekend.

Tim Hoogland was named on the bench for the midweek match as he edges ever closer to full fitness, but this weekend is likely to come too soon for Fernando Amorebieta to feature.

Bryan Ruiz started a Fulham game for the first time since Boxing Day against Wolves and could retain his place in the side, but Scott Parker is likely to be recalled having sat out on Tuesday.

Fulham:

Form in Championship: LDLLDL
Form in all competitions: LDLLDL

Possible starting lineup: Bettinelli; Richards, Hutchinson, Bodurov, Stafylidis; Christensen, Tunnicliffe, Parker, Ruiz; Rodallega, McCormack

Derby:

Form in Championship: WWDDWW
Form in all competitions: WDLDWW

Possible starting lineup: Grant; Christie, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth; Hendrick, Mascarell, Hughes; Ince, Bent, Lingard

Sports Mole says: 1-3


ID:207866: cacheID:207866:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6890:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Darren Bent of Derby County celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship match against Blackburn Rovers on January 27, 2015
Read Next:
Preview: Derby vs. Charlton
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd22155232112148
2Leeds UnitedLeeds22136341152645
3Burnley2212822891944
4Sunderland22127334181643
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2111462518737
6Middlesbrough22105738281035
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22811326161035
8Watford2110473028234
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds229582830-232
10Millwall217772118328
11Swansea CitySwansea227692424027
12Bristol City226972628-227
13Norwich CityNorwich226883734326
14Queens Park RangersQPR2251072328-525
15Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
16Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
17Coventry CityCoventry2266102834-624
18Preston North EndPreston2241172229-723
19Stoke CityStoke2257102330-722
20Portsmouth204882535-1020
21Hull City2247112131-1019
22Cardiff CityCardiff2146111934-1518
23Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2146112137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2146112245-2318


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!