Bristol City will look to move away from the Championship relegation zone with victory against Fulham on Saturday.

However, the Cottagers travel to Ashton Gate with the joint best attack in the division and looking to edge nearer to the playoff places with a win in the West Country.

Bristol City

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Robins manager Steve Cotterill boldly claimed that his team deserved to beat Cardiff City last time, but refused to criticise them after they were forced to settle for a goalless draw in South Wales.

City have struggled to settle back in the second tier and have won only twice in 13 league outings.

The Reds are only just above the drop zone, but have become tougher to beat in recent games, losing two of their last six.

However, while Cotterill claimed that the performance at Cardiff was "not a one-off", their victory against Nottingham Forest remains City's only triumph on home turf since gaining promotion from League One.

Since the start of the campaign, conceding goals has been a problem, with only Rotherham United having let in more than the Cider Army.

Nevertheless, City have now kept two clean sheets and, with the possible exception of Hull City's impending visit, may see their forthcoming fixtures as a chance to climb the table.

Recent form: LDDWLD

Fulham

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Shahid Khan may have been distracted by his Jacksonville Jaguars team playing at Wembley last weekend, but the Fulham owner was clear with his assessment of the club's recent form.

Speaking last week, Khan demanded improvement from the Cottagers after a run of three wins in 12, and his words appear to have taken effect.

Admittedly, Fulham found themselves trailing 2-0 at home to Reading, but three goals in six minutes helped Kit Symons's men to a 4-2 win against the Royals.

That win meant that, following a barren run, the Whites are unbeaten in their last four games and lay five points off the top six.

Furthermore, striker and club captain Ross McCormack believes that his teammates will take confidence from that result and the fact that his team are the joint top scorers in the Championship.

However, the Cottagers have also conceded 19 this term, keeping only one clean sheet in 13 league games.

Recent form: WLDDDW

Team News

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Cotterill is likely to persist with Aaron Wilbraham and Jonathan Kodjia in attack, having played the duo up front for much of the campaign so far.

If those two continue to lead the line then Kieran Agard will probably remain on the bench.

However, the Robins boss may consider a recall for Wales international Wes Burns, who was left out of the game against Cardiff.

Meanwhile, Symons may consider naming an unchanged starting lineup after their win against Reading.

However, Dan Burn, Jamie O'Hara, Ben Pringle and Luke Garbutt will all be vying a place against the Robins, after being dropped for the clash with the Royals.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Fielding; Bennett, Ayling, Flint, Baker; Williams, Smith, Pack, Freeman; Wilbraham, Kodjia

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Fredericks, Stearman, Ream, Richards; Husband, Tunnicliffe, Cairney, Christensen; McCormack, Dembele

Head To Head

Bristol City and Fulham will be meeting for the first time at any level since December 1997, when the pair faced off in League Division 2, which the Londoners won 1-0.

The Cottagers' previous record at Ashton Gate is poor, having won only two of their last 10 visits to the West Country.

However, one of Fulham's two victories came in emphatic fashion when they won 5-1 in October 1988.

We say: Bristol City 1-1 Fulham

City's have started to tighten up at the back, but Fulham's recent unbeaten run means that they should be a tough nut to crack. The Robins might have to settle for a share of the spoils.

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