MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 00:06:44| >> :120:77297:77297:
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Attendance: 18,878
Fulham logo
Championship | Gameweek 23
Dec 21, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Leeds logo

2-1

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


Sports Mole Logo

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.



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Written by
Sean Wilson
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