Preview: Fulham vs. Cardiff City - prediction, team news, lineups

Promotion-chasing rivals Fulham and Cardiff City face off at Craven Cottage on Friday evening in a big match at the top end of the Championship.

Fulham have won three games in a row and still have hope of finishing in the top two, while Cardiff are in possession of the final playoff spot despite defeat last time out.

Match preview

Back-to-back losses at the hands of Brentford and Leeds United on their return to action last month appeared to have killed off Fulham's automatic promotion hopes for good.

However, they have since claimed one-goal victories over Queens Park Rangers, Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest to just about remain in the hunt for a top-two finish.

The gap on second-placed West Bromwich Albion stands at four points ahead of the Baggies' game in hand against Derby County on Wednesday evening, with four games left to play.

Fulham will have to win each of their remaining matches if they are to overtake Brentford and one of West Brom or Leeds, or else it will be a case of settling for the playoffs.

That is something Cardiff would happily accept right now, with the Welsh outfit currently occupying sixth place after an impressive run of form post-lockdown.

The Bluebirds took 10 points from the first 12 on offer after returning to action, seeing them move from ninth to sixth in the division.

However, Neil Harris's side were sent crashing back down to earth on Tuesday night with a 3-2 home loss to Blackburn Rovers.

That has opened the door for the chasing pack to close the gap when they play their games in hand on Wednesday, with Derby potentially moving level on points with City.

Like Fulham, Cardiff will also likely be targeting all three points in West London on Friday, and they head to Craven Cottage on a run of three successive away victories.

Only neighbours Brentford have collected more home points than Fulham in the second tier this term, though, with the Cottagers winning 13 of their 21 matches.

The points were shared in a 1-1 draw when the sides last faced off 11 months ago, meanwhile, as Aleksandar Mitrovic struck to cancel out Josh Murphy's opener.

Fulham's Championship form: DLLWWW

Cardiff City's Championship form: WWWDWL

Team News

Cardiff boss Harris has made full use of his squad depth since the restart, with City's substitutes so often playing a starring role from the bench.

Robert Glatzel returned from a head injury against Blackburn, while Murphy was also recalled.

Glatzel maintained his good run in front of goal and should retain his place here, with Callum Patterson among the subs, but Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is expected to return out wide following the birth of his child in midweek.

There is also a question mark over goalkeeper Alex Smithies, who was at fault for a couple of Blackburn goals on Tuesday and may be given a breather here.

Fulham will welcome back the division's joint-top scorer Mitrovic for this match after the Serbian served the last of a three-game ban against Forest.

Joshua Onomah netted a late winner against Birmingham City last week and was rewarded with a start last time out, but Anthony Knockaert is pushing for a recall in attacking midfield.

Parker also has a decision to make in the full-back spots, with Denis Odoi and Joe Bryan getting the nod in midweek.

Fulham possible starting lineup: Rodak; Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan; Reed, Arter, Onomah; Knockaert, Mitrovic, Kebano

Cardiff City possible starting lineup: Etheridge; Sanderson, Morrison, Nelson, Bennett; Bacuna, Ralls, Vaulks; Hoilett, Glatzel, Mendez-Laing.

We say: Fulham 1-1 Cardiff City

Both teams have won three out of five matches since returning to action last month and have plenty to play for in their remaining four games. Fulham have been tough to beat at home, while Cardiff have won three in a row away, so we are tipping this one to finish all square.