Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 25/06/19...

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Fixtures In Focus: Part One

We take a closer look at each of our 2019/20 opponents, starting with Barnsley, Birmingham and Blackburn.

Barnsley

Barnsley secured an immediate return to the Championship with a stellar campaign that was built on defensive stability, conceding a divisional low 39 goals in 46 matches. Fulham Academy graduate Cauley Woodrow enjoyed his first year at Oakwell, topping the scoring charts despite not playing a first team match until November due to injury. The Tykes ended with five players in the PFA Team of the Year; goalkeeper Adam Davies, defenders Dimitri Cavare and Ethan Pinnock, playmaker Alex Mowatt, and Woodrow's striker partner Kieffer Moore.

Last season: 2nd (League One)

Top scorer: Kieffer Moore/Cauley Woodrow (19)

Dafabet promotion odds: 18/1

2019/20 fixtures: Oakwell 03/08/19, Craven Cottage 15/02/20

Last five meetings:

Barnsley (Lindsay) 1-3 Fulham (Sessegnon 2, McDonald) – 27/01/18

Fulham (Ayité, Ojo) 2-1 Barnsley (Bradshaw) – 23/12/17

Fulham (Martin pen, Malone) 2-0 Barnsley – 14/01/17

Barnsley (Watkins, Winnall) 2-4 Fulham (Piazon, Aluko, Malone, Martin) – 15/10/16

Barnsley 0-0 Fulham – 10/02/01

Birmingham City

Under Garry Monk, Birmingham appeared to have an outside chance of pushing for the Play-Offs last season, but a nine point deduction in March put paid to those hopes. That turned a promotion charge into a relegation battle, but one they comfortably survived come the end of the campaign despite a somewhat mundane climax which saw them draw five of their final six outings. Monk parted company with Blues last week, with his number two Pep Clotet named Caretaker Head Coach.

Last season: 17th

Top scorer: Che Adams (22)

Dafabet promotion odds: 9/1

2019/20 fixtures: St Andrew's 09/11/19, Craven Cottage 04/04/20

Last five meetings:

Birmingham (Jutkiewicz, Dean, Adams) 3-1 Fulham (Cairney) – 06/05/18

Fulham (Ojo) 1-0 Birmingham – 09/12/17

Birmingham (Jutkiewicz) 1-0 Fulham – 04/02/17

Fulham 0-1 Birmingham (Donaldson pen) – 10/09/16

Birmingham (Morrison) 1-1 Fulham (Ince) – 19/03/16

Blackburn Rovers

A fine first season back in the Championship saw Blackburn Rovers finish closer to the Play-Off places than the dropzone. A run of nine defeats in 11 outings from February-April might have had some fans looking over their shoulder, but they then put together four victories on the bounce to ensure they finished 20 points clear of the bottom-three.

Last season: 15th

Top scorer: Bradley Dack (18)

Dafabet promotion odds: 10/1

2019/20 fixtures: Craven Cottage 10/08/19, Ewood Park 08/02/20

Last five meetings:

Fulham (Aluko, Cyriac) 2-2 Blackburn (Conway pen, Joao) – 14/03/17

Blackburn 0-1 Fulham (Cairney) – 27/08/16

Blackburn (Marshall pen, Duffy, Graham) 3-0 Fulham – 16/02/16

Fulham (McCormack, Dembélé) 2-1 Blackburn (Rhodes pen) – 13/09/15

Blackburn (Marshall, Rhodes) 2-1 Fulham (McCormack) – 31/01/15



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/june/24/fixtures-in-focus-part-one

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'What a coup this would be' – Fulham plot move for lethal forward: Opinion

Fulham manager Scott Parker is considering a bold move to sign Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle, as he looks to line-up a potential replacement for Aleksandar Mitrovic who looks to be heading out of Craven Cottage, according to the Daily Star.

Fulham will be looking for the fire-power to send them back to the Premier League next season, following relegation in the last campaign and seemingly see the striker as the man to fit the bill, having scored 24 goals whilst on-loan at West Brom last season.

So would Gayle be good signing for the money if he moved to Craven Cottage?

We discuss........

Toby Wilding

"What a coup this would be.

"Gayle has proven time and again just what a reliable goalscorer he is at this level, not least with West Brom last season, so it would be a huge boost to Fulham's promotion hopes if they were to bring him to Craven Cottage in the summer.

"With some of the reports around Gayle's price tag, getting the deal done for £10million would represent something of a bargain, particularly when you look at how much Fulham spent on players last summer, and how they went onto perform in the Premier League the following campaign.

"Given some of those players now look set for early exits from the club if reports are to be believed, it seems that a £10million bid for Gayle is something they would easily be able to afford."

Gary Hutchinson

"This would be a great signing. Put simply; goals win games and Gayle gets goals.

"He proved himself at this level last season. His goals, along with Harvey Barnes early input, kept the Baggies in the promotion race until the last. He's nimble, moves really well and can run in behind or trouble through the channels.

"He's a goal scorer, first and foremost. All fans clamour for a 'prove scorer', or a '20-a-season man'. It's the Holy Grail of pre-season transfers.

"In Dwight Gayle, that's exactly what Fulham would get. Mitrovic won them promotion last time, Gayle can do the same this time."

George Brooks

"I think this would be a fantastic signing for Fulham.

"Gayle is one of the best strikers in the Championship and he's pretty much guaranteed to score goals at this level.

"He'd be an excellent replacement for Aleksandar Mitrovic, if he does leave Craven Cottage this summer.

"In today's market, I think £10m for a player of Gayle's quality and experience would be very good business.

"Fulham will be hoping to challenge for promotion next season and Gayle's experience of winning the Championship with Newcastle and reaching the play-offs with West Brom last season could be key."



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/what-a-coup-this-would-be-fulham-plot-move-for-lethal-forward-opinion/

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From France: Fulham flop 'a priority' for La Liga side this summer

Of all the big money signings to arrive at Fulham last summer, few disappointed as much as Andre Zambo Anguissa.

The midfielder arrived at the club for a fee close to £25m and was supposed to play a crucial role in keeping Fulham up.

Instead, he wasn't able to impress, and the Cottagers returned to the Championship at the first time of asking.

They'll now be looking to offload some of their expensive flops and Anguissa could be one of the first to go.

France Football are reporting that, despite a disappointing campaign, Anguissa is 'a priority' for La Liga side Villarreal.

The Spanish club aren't looking for a permanent deal, though, and would much prefer to take the Cameroon midfielder on loan for the season.

Whether Fulham would entertain such a bid isn't mentioned, although FF do say that they are keen to move Anguissa on. Given his likely high wages, which they'll want off the books in the Championship, they may be tempted to accept such a deal.

If they aren't, Villarreal have another option lined up with Bordeaux midfielder Younousse Sankharé the alternative for them.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/france-fulham-flop-priority-la-liga-side-summer/

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Ranking every London club's shirt sponsor for 2019/20 - from hot chocolate to rival colours

football.london takes a look at the sponsors that will be appearing on London clubs' new kits this season, ranked from worst to best

It's the time of year when children start giving their parents the puppy-dog eye treatment as new kits are being added to club shops.

With the latest designs come a host of questions: what's the new collar like? How much is it going to cost me? Why is the away kit a grim hybrid of orange and purple stripes?

But there's one thing that stays (almost) constant in this day and age: the shirt sponsor. From giants of the banking world to your local glazier, there are plenty of options available to clubs looking to boost the coffers - but who among London's clubs have the best sponsor for the coming season?

Not rated: Charlton Athletic

We can't rate what is still to be confirmed. Once the Addicks have their sponsor sorted, we'll be on the case.

Until then...
11. Leyton Orient - Dream Team

We don't really want to bash Leyton Orient on their first year back in the English Football League but come on.

You can't really be sponsoring a lower-league side and call yourself Dream Team without evoking the namesake footballing drama of Sky One fame.

The only way to climb up this table? Bring Karl Fletcher on board.
10. Crystal Palace - ManbetX

What can you say about ManbetX? Three separate logos other than the actual company name. Way too much going on, detracting from what could be a nice shirt.

Less is usually more when it comes to shirt sponsors, and this is a perfect example of why.
9. Spurs - AIA

A red sponsor on a Spurs shirt? What are they thinking put an Arsenal-esque shade on the front of the jersey like that?

It doesn't look awful, especially on the away shirts when you can have a different colour, but it doesn't sit right with us.
8. Fulham - Dafabet

A run-of-the-mill type of shirt sponsor, really.

Wouldn't be so bad but the use of both the company name and a logo right next to it is a bit insistent.

Wasn't really helped by last season's kit, which looked a bit like a gastric band.
7. Arsenal - Emirates

You could forgive Emirates for giving up on Arsenal - much like their owner has - but no, they're still there years after sponsoring the stadium.

An uncharitable view would cast them in with the rest of north London's red half, seemingly stuck in a rut and unable to move forward.

Maybe they're just loyal? Who knows. Nice kit this year, at least.
6. West Ham - Betway

A big logo, but not one that gets in the way and has a nice bold, curvy font.

Would probably be lower on the list were it not for the stunning new Hammers kits that it features on.

Has a sponsor ever looked so good on a shirt as Betway does on the new away kit? Well yes it has...
5. Chelsea - Yokohama

Remember that all white Chelsea away shirt with Yokohama emblazoned across it? That looked better than the new West Ham one.

Now, it's not quite the iconic Inter Milan-Pirelli partnership that evokes memories of the original Ronaldo bewitching and tormenting defenders in the late 90s, but Chelsea's deal with the tyre manufacture is at least a break from the monotony of betting giants.

And the 'Tyres' on the second line does have a sort of "go faster" slant to it which we feel is rather snazzy.
4. AFC Wimbledon - Sports Interactive

It would be extremely hypocritical of the football.london staff not to celebrate Sports Interactive, especially as marathon Football Manager sessions defined our (lack of) social lives at university.

The fact that they have stood by Wimbledon since their rise from the flames only makes their relationship with the club even more special.

But mainly they're this high because we love FM.
3. QPR - Royal Panda

If you don't think of a panda queen wearing a crown surveying her park rangers every time you see this sponsor on a QPR shirt we can't help you.
2. Brentford - EcoWorld

Helping the club to build a new ground, a new location for Brentford's Community Sports Trust and a load of new homes as well as becoming their new shirt sponsor for the season. What's not to like?

And the logo looks nice on the new shirts. A decent font, fitted well against the stripes unlike some block effects.
1. Millwall - Huski

No not the dogs.

Huski make hot chocolate and as such are probably the best sponsor any team in the EFL has ever had, except for that boiler company at West Brom.

The "ultimate chocolate drink for adventure and expedition" - what more appropriate choice for away fans making that daring trip to Bermondsey for a visit to the notorious surrounding of the New Den?

They claim to be a lifestyle and not only a product, which fits closely with the general football.london opinion on hot chocolate - the most underrated of hot drinks - and Huski even have a cold hot chocolate drink that confuses and excites us in equal measure.

If anyone from Huski is reading this (it is unclear whether they are staffed or owned by any of the canine breed) we're up for giving it a go.



https://www.football.london/premier-league/arsenal-spurs-new-kit-sponsor-16480076

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'Would be a massive statement of intent' – Fulham plotting big-money move: Six Point Opinion

As they prepare for life back in the Championship, Fulham are believed to be plotting a £20million move for Newcastle United forward Dwight Gayle this summer.

The Express claims that the Cottagers are set to join Stoke City in the race to sign the proven forward, who flourished on loan with West Bromwich Albion last season.

It is shaping up to be a busy summer at Craven Cottage, with potential interest in star players such as Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ryan Sessegnon, as Scott Parker looks to guide the London club back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Here, FLW writer George Harbey discusses this potential signing in further detail, in today's six-pointer...

How did Gayle get on last season?

"Gayle was sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion for the season, and he certainly lived up to expectations having been so prolific in the Championship with Newcastle before.

"The 28-year-old scored 24 goals in 41 games for the Baggies, as Albion were defeated in the Championship play-off semi-final by Aston Villa."

Can you see him joining Fulham?

"You could argue that it is likely that he will depart St. James' Park this summer, that's for sure.

"Newcastle are a club in limbo after losing Rafael Benitez, but it's unlikely that Gayle will be in the new manager's plans.

"He needs to leave for his own good, as Newcastle have plenty of quality attacking options up top."

£20million – the right amount?

"If we're being honest, it's probably paying over the odds for Gayle.

"He's not getting any younger, but Newcastle are well in their rights to demand that amount of money for him given that he still has two years left on his contract with the Magpies.

"It's money well spent if he helps them win promotion, though."

Do Fulham need to strengthen their attacking options?

"I'd say that it's an area they certainly need to strengthen ahead of next season.

"They are strong in every department, but if Mitrovic were to leave this summer, which looks very likely indeed, then they definitely need to replace him with someone who can score for fun.

"Gayle is that man, make no bones about it."

Any potential faults in the deal?

"I suppose the only thing that might be a bit off-putting for Fulham fans is the price tag.

"£20million is still an awful lot of money for teams to spend in the Championship, and fans are going to have their concerns having spent so much last summer.

"They cannot afford to let it be a case of promotion or bust next term."

If Fulham do pull off this signing, how do you think they will get on next season?

"With Dwight Gayle in your squad, you always have a chance at winning promotion from the Championship, as his goals alone often guarantee a promotion spot come the end of the season.

"He was influential for Newcastle in the 2016/17 campaign, and steered West Brom into the play-offs last term despite a rocky stage at the halfway stage of the season.

"This would be a massive statement of intent by Scott Parker's side."



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/would-be-a-massive-statement-of-intent-fulham-plotting-big-money-move-six-point-opinion/

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How to win 100 points in a League One season - the historical blueprints for Sunderland to pick from

Five sides have won 100 points in English football's third tier, four in the last 16 years, but they have gone about the task in different ways

Stewart Donald was not aiming low when he looked back on Sunderland's 2018-19, and forward to next season.

"It's about getting ourselves into a position where we are a team that got 85 points last season to a team that gets 100 points next season," he said.

In the three-points-for-a-win era, three figures have only been achieved 13 times. The Black Cats have done it once, when Peter Reid's side responded to the disappointment of losing the 1998 Championship play-off final to Charlton Athletic by romping to the title.

It has only happened five times in the third tier, four of them since 2003.

So what is involved? All bar Wolverhampton Wanderers had been in the division the previous season – often longer.

All except Wigan Athletic had changed manager in the previous 12 months, and were feeling the benefit. Like the Latics, Sunderland are keeping faith with their man.

Most got off to good starts, but Sheffield United's was record-breakingly bad. Some fell back on the chequebook, but not all.

For all but Charlton Athletic, it was a journey which ended in the Premier League.

So how do you win 100 points in England's third tier?

Chequebook Charlies
Fulham, 101 points, 1999
The background
A bottom-division club as recently as 1996-97, when they lost the last three games of the following season, Ray Wilkins was sacked as manager and "chief operating officer" Kevin Keegan was put in charge. He lost the two-legged play-off semi-final to Grimsby Town, then resumed a spending spree which had already brought £2.1m defender Chris Coleman and £1.1m striker Paul Peschisolido to Craven Cottage.

What was their success built on?

Mohamed Al-Fayed's chequebook, but their spending paid off and that is not always the case. Philippe Albert joined on loan from Newcastle United, Peter Beardsley joined permanently after a second loan spell, and Steve Finnan, John Salako and Kit Symons were also recruited. Former bricklayer Geoff Horsfield was far less heralded, but finished as their 15-goal top goalscorer. Barry Hayles was signed from Bristol Rovers for £2m in November to partner him.

And on the field?

As you would expect from a Keegan side, they were the division's top scorers. As you would not, they also had a miserly defence. Only 12 goals were conceded at home, where they only lost once. Goalkeeper Maik Taylor kept 24 clean sheets.

How did they start?

They won their first three games, but beaten for the first time by Notts County in mid-September.

How did they do in the cups?

They played 13 times, knocking Premier League Southampton out of the League and FA Cups, the first over two legs, the second after a replay.

They knocked Aston Villa out of the FA Cup before being narrowly beaten at Manchester United, and fell to Liverpool in the League Cup.

They got out of the Football League Trophy straight away, beaten after extra-time at Torquay United in their only game.

How many defeats?

Seven. Four before Christmas, two (to Chesterfield and Burnley) after promotion was sealed.

Any hiccups?

Keegan taking the England manager's job part-time in mid-February could not disrupt them. They won the league by 14 points. Manchester City had to settle for third, winning the play-offs.

What was the weirdest thing Al-Fayed did?

That was the season Michael Jackson did his infamous Craven Cottage walkabout, in April.

What happened next?

Having said for three months he was committed to Fulham, Keegan took the England job full-time at the end of the season, to be replaced by player-coach Paul Bracewell.

After a season of consolidation, Fulham won the second tier title with 101 points in 2001. Their unbroken run in the top-flight was 13 seasons.

Tight at the back
Wigan Athletic 100 points, 2003
The background:

The Latics kept faith with Paul Jewell despite a disappointing 2001-02, their sixth in the third tier.

What was their success built on?

No one in the top six scored fewer goals, but with only 25 conceded, theirs was easily the division's best defence. They conceded only nine times away and kept 15 clean sheets at home.

Money played its part too, with centre-forward Nathan Ellington bought for £1.2m on deadline day in 2002, which then was in March.

How did they start?

Won their first four, then suffered two defeats in a week. Their next league defeat was not until late January, by which point they were already on course to play in the Championship for the first time. They lost four in all.

How did they do in the cups?

Reached the League Cup quarter-finals, beating Premier League sides West Bromwich Albion, Manchester City and Fulham. Blackburn Rovers knocked them out.

Any mid-season signings?

Six, most notably Jimmy Bullard, bought from Peterborough United in January.

Who scored the goals?

Nathan Ellington scored 22 in all competitions, but Andy Liddell edged him as top-scorer in the league with 16.

What happened next?

Like Fulham, promotion to the Premier League in two years. They had eight seasons there before returning to League One. After a spot of yo-yoing, they will play in next season's Championship.

Culture shock
Charlton Athletic, 101 points, 2012
The background:
Looking to address a run which saw them finish lower ever season since Alan Curbishley left them in the Premier League in 2006, the Addicks gave former player Chris Powell his first managerial job in January 2011. After an unbeaten opening-month honeymoon, it did not go well. They ended the season by taking 12 points from a possible 57.

What was their success built on?

A complete overhaul. Powell made 16 permanent signings in the summer. Eleven were free transfers, and Leon Cort came in a swap deal. A total of 15 were shown the door.

"In my interview for the Charlton job, I'd said I was going to change the whole culture of the club. That first summer, I knew that was what we had to do," Powell told the Coaches' Voice website.

And on the field?

Third-placed Sheffield United scored ten more goals, but Charlton's was the best defence.

What sort of players did they sign? "We made sure that the players we brought in could not only handle playing in League One, but also, if things went well, stay with us in the Championship," Powell explained. "I wanted players who I felt could grow, organically, with the club."

How did they start?

They won the first three, and suffered their first league defeat to Stevenage in mid-October. The response was instant, beating Carlisle United 4-0, Wycombe Wanderers 2-1, Hartlepool United 4-0, Preston North End 5-2 and Halifax Town 4-0 in the FA Cup. It would be New Year's Eve the next time they lost.

Did they have a wobble?

Losing three and drawing one in March must have tested the nerves. But they only lost five all season.

Were they the most consistent team in the division?

Arguably not. Huddersfield Town's 18 games was the longest unbeaten run but, with echoes of Sunderland last season, Lee Clark's men missed automatic promotion because they drew 18. They lost the play-off final.

When was promotion secured?

At Carlisle in mid-April, bizarrely the third promotion they had won at Brunton Park.

How did they do in the cups?

Lost half of their six games.

Who got the goals?

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored 22, the division's third-best tally behind Huddersfield Town's Jordan Rhodes (36) and Sheffield United's Ched Evans (29). Johnnie Jackson and Yann Kermorgant scored 12 each for Charlton.

What next:

"At the beginning of 2014 the club got a new owner (Roland Duchatelet)," Powell said. "I knew things weren't great on the pitch. And I knew that when takeovers happen, invariably there's a change of manager."

Life has been topsy-turvy since, but Charlton got back into the 2019-20 Championship at Sunderland's expense.

Bouncing back
Wolverhampton Wanderers, 103 points, 2014
The background:

Like the Black Cats last season, Wolves re-entered the third tier for the first time since the 1980s following back-to-back relegations. Dean Saunders was sacked in the summer and replaced with Kenny Jackett, their fourth manager since sacking Mick McCarthy 16 months earlier.

Birmingham Live described Jackett as "A man who could talk endlessly without revealing anything."

Any other similarities?

Wolves were the biggest team in the division, as their 30,110 attendance for April 6-4 win over eventual play-off winners Rotherham United highlighted.

The mood at Molineux changed, according to midfielder David Edwards : "The fans (went) from that negativity and the whole strategy of the football club (had) to change."

What was their success built on?

A post-relegation clearout. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Stephen Hunt and Christophe Berra were released and Jackett transfer-listed Karl Henry, Stephen Ward, Jamie O'Hara and Roger Johnson.

New captain Sam Ricketts, Kevin McDonald and Scott Golbourne were the only new signings, though, with Jackett making more use of the academy.

And on the field?

They were the division's top scorers with 89 goals, and had its meanest defence, conceding 31 and keeping 25 clean sheets.

Any star players?

Golbourne, McDonald, Carl Ikeme, Danny Batth and Bakary Sako all made the League One team of the year.

How did they start?

A 0-0 draw at Preston North End was not in the script, but the next five league matches were won, and they won five on the trot away for the first time in their history.

Walsall became the first side to beat them, in mid-September, but they went the next 11 league games unbeaten, winning eight to go top of the table in mid-November.

So they breezed it from there?

Not at all. They won one of the next seven, and Leton Orient and Brentford were the top two by early January with games in hand.

How did they react?

By getting the chequebook out, signing five players, two on loan, and allowing Leigh Griffiths and Kevin Doyle to leave.

Former loanee Nouha Dicko left Wigan to return to Molyneux in January having scored twice against Wolves on loan at Rotherham in December's 3-3 draw. He scored 13 goals in 19 appearances old gold that season, one more than Leigh Griffiths and Sako managed in the league.

Dicko scored twice on his second debut and a hat-trick against the not-so-merry Millers.

What was the result?

A club-record nine straight wins between January and March, including a 3–0 win at promotion rivals Brentford, put them back on top.

Promotion was achieved with four games to spare, having lost five times that term and won 31.

How did they fare in the cups?

Got out of them quickly, losing three of five matches.

What next?

With Dicko as their joint top-scorer, they missed the Championship play-offs the following season on goal difference but after four years at that level, they are back in the Premier League.

Jackett is now Portsmouth manager.

The up-and-coming manager
Sheffield United, 100 points, 2017
The background:

After five seasons marooned in League One, Sheffield United sacked Nigel Adkins in May 2016 and replaced him with Chris Wilder, a Sheffield United fan working his way up the league ladder as a manager with great success.

Did he shake up the squad?

Ten players were signed before the end of September, five on free transfers. There were also three August loans. Five more players came mid-season, two on loan.

What was the success built on?

The Blades had the top five's worst defence but were easily the top-scorers, outdoing the next-best team, Scunthorpe United, 92-80.

How did they treat the cups?

Knocked out of the League Cup in the first round, the FA Cup in the second and the Football League Trophy group stage.

Who scored the goals?

Billy Sharp was the division's top-scorer with 30. Kieron Freeman, with ten, was only their other in double figures in the league.

How did they start?

Badly. They were bottom with one point after four matches, their worst start in more than two decades, but did not lose again until November 29. On the Saturday Bolton Wanderers knocked the Blades out of the FA Cup.

So a mid-season wobble, then?

Hardly. They won their next six, all league matches, and although they suffered their fifth and sixth defeats of the campaign in late January, that was it for the season.

Any late-season nerves?

They won their last seven, their best run of the season, and only dropped four points from the last 39.



https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-win-100-points-league-16480188

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 Fixtures In Focus: Part Two

Brentford, Bristol City and Cardiff are next up as we profile our 2019/20 Sky Bet Championship opponents.

Brentford

https://ffcw001.azureedge.net/-/media/opposition-players-4/rexfeatures_10128758bn.jpg?w=300&h=400

A solid start to the season saw Brentford sitting a point outside the Play-Off places, but following Dean Smith's departure to Aston Villa in early October they picked up just four points from a possible 30 in their next 10 outings. Their form significantly improved in the New Year, but they never really managed to sustain enough momentum to seriously challenge for the top-six.

Top scorer: Neal Maupay (28)

Dafabet promotion odds: 9/2

2019/20 fixtures: Griffin Park 14/12/19, Craven Cottage 14/03/20

Last five meetings:

Fulham (Mitrović) 1-1 Brentford (Maupay) – 14/04/18

Brentford (Canos, Sawyers, Watkins) 3-1 Fulham (Kebano) – 02/12/17

Fulham (Cairney) 1-1 Brentford (Yennaris) – 29/04/17

Brentford 0-2 Fulham (Aluko, Cairney) – 04/11/16

Brentford (Saunders, Hogan 2) 3-0 Fulham – 30/04/16

Bristol City

For a second successive season Bristol City flirted with the Play-Offs, this time taking it to the final day only to miss out by a failure to beat Hull City, as well as rivals Middlesbrough and Derby County winning their matches. Nonetheless, an eighth place finish for Lee Johnson's side represented a very solid campaign – their best season for more than a decade – and their young manager was duly rewarded with a new long-term contract.

Top scorer: Famara Diedhiou (13)

Dafabet promotion odds: 6/1

2019/20 fixtures: Craven Cottage 07/12/19, Ashton Gate 07/03/20

Last five meetings:

Bristol City (Reid) 1-1 Fulham (Mitrović) – 21/02/18

Fulham 0-2 Bristol City (Reid, Smith) – 31/10/17

Bristol City 0-2 Fulham (Piazon, Cairney) – 22/02/17

Fulham 0-4 Bristol City (Abraham, Freeman, Reid, Flint) – 24/09/16

Fulham (Piazon) 1-2 Bristol City (Wilbraham, Abraham) – 21/09/16

Cardiff City

Cardiff surprised many last season by making a real fist of things in the Premier League, grinding out enough results to keep their campaign alive until May. They came to Craven Cottage in late April knowing that a win would give them a real chance of staying up, but Ryan Babel's stunning goal meant they returned to Wales pointless and were subsequently relegated the following week. A final day victory at Old Trafford, though, meant they finished just two points from safety.

Last season: 18th (Premier League)

Top scorer: Victor Camarasa/Bobby Reid (5)

Dafabet promotion odds: 14/5

2019/20 fixtures: Cardiff City Stadium 31/08/19, Craven Cottage 13/04/20

Last five meetings:

Fulham (Babel) 1-0 Cardiff – 27/04/19

Cardiff (Murphy, Reid, Paterson, Harris) 4-2 Fulham (Schürrle, Sessegnon) – 20/10/18

Cardiff (Zohore, Paterson) 2-4 Fulham (Ream, Ayité, Sessegnon, Johansen) – 26/12/17

Fulham (Sessegnon) 1-1 Cardiff (Ward) – 09/09/17

Cardiff (Zohore 2) 2-2 Fulham (Johansen, Kebano) – 25/02/17



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/june/25/fixtures-in-focus-part-two