Fulham welcome London rivals Brentford to Craven Cottage on Saturday lunchtime as they look to close the gap on the top two in the Championship.
Scott Parker's side trail second placed West Brom by six points so know they have no margin for error as they entertain a Brentford side looking to seal a play-off place themselves sitting just one place below Fulham in 4th, albeit a further four points behind Parker's side.
When and where?
The match will be held at Craven Cottage on Saturday 20th June at 12:30pm.
Previous meetings
This will be the 60th competitive meeting between these two sides with both sides level on 21 victories each, with the other 17 occasions ending in draws. When these two met at Griffin Park earlier this season it was Brentford who ran out 1-0 winners. Fulham’s last win over their London counterparts came back in 2016 in the Championship with the Lilywhites edging the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Sone Aluko and Tom Cairney.
In a remarkable stat, the hosts on Saturday haven't actually beat their opponents at home since 1990 when they met in Division Three.
Team news
Fulham will be without loanee Terence Kongolo for the remainder of the season because of a foot injury sustained in February.
Central defender Alfie Mawson will also miss this first game back because of a knee problem, but Parker otherwise has a fully-fit squad to choose from.
The prolonged hiatus, meanwhile, has given Brentford an opportunity to get some key players back to full fitness.
Pontus Jansson, Mathias Jensen and Kamo Mokotjo would have sat this match out had it gone ahead as originally scheduled in March, but all three players are now available.
Last five matches
Fulham:
(D) 1-1 vs Bristol City
(W) 2-0 vs Preston
(W) 1-0 vs Swansea
(D) 1-1 vs Derby
(L) 0-3 vs Barnsley
After a shock 3-0 defeat to Barnsley which appeared to completely derail Fulhams bid for a return to the Premier League, Parker has seen his side take 8 points from a possible 12 before lockdown. Trailing second placed West Brom by six points, the former Premier League side know they have no margin for error and must return with a win.
Brentford:
(W) 5-0 vs Sheff Wed
(D) 2-2 vs Cardiff
(L) 1-2 vs Luton
(D) 2-2 vs Blackburn
(D) 1-1 Birmingham
Just one win in their previous five games will be a concern for Brentford boss Thomas Frank as his side look to book their place in the Championship play-off places. The 5-0 win prior to lockdown over Sheffield Wednesday would have come as a breath of fresh air to Frank especially after a shock 2-1 defeat to Luton.
The Championship returns with a cracking first game with this fixture kicking off the return of the second tier. Craven Cottage maybe without fans, just like every other stadium but I don't think it will be absent of entertainment. It will be close but I see Fulham nicking a thrilling win.
Match Preview written by Ryan Day.
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