Rotherham United and Fulham will meet at the New York Stadium on Saturday afternoon with both clubs still searching for their first win of the Championship campaign.
Fulham are marginally better off in the standings, but only three points will do for either side as they look to kick-start their season.
Rotherham United
© Getty Images
Ahead of last week's game at Queens Park Rangers, there wasn't a lot for manager Steve Evans to be cheerful about, but while he has witnessed his team fall to two more defeats, he can at least be positive with the character of his squad.
It was always going to be tough against a rejuvenated Queens Park Rangers outfit who had recorded a three-goal comeback against Wolverhampton Wanderers three days earlier, as the Millers found out when they fell 3-0 down with just over an hour gone at Loftus Road.
The game was effectively done and dusted but Rotherham struck twice in the final 18 minutes having previously only netted three times all campaign. They proved to be no more than consolation strikes, but it was something to build on ahead of hosting Norwich City in the League Cup.
A goal midway through each half put paid to their hopes, but again, they displayed the desire to fight until the end and were rewarded with a goal. If they could avoid lapses in concentration before the final quarter of games, the Yorkshire outfit would be in good shape.
Evans will see Fulham as the perfect side to face ahead of the international break but if they are unable to deliver a performance for the entire 90 minutes, the players can expect a busy couple of weeks ahead of their next outing.
Recent form: LLDL
Recent form (all competitions): LWLDLL
Fulham
© Getty Images
Since their relegation from the Premier League, Fulham have, so far, failed to put together a side capable of challenging for a return to the top flight, but they have endured something of an eventful start to the season with late goals both coming to their aid and causing their downfall.
In each of their four league fixtures, a goal has been scored in the final five minutes, resulting in points being lost and gained. The first three games saw four points dropped, but the Cottagers at least got themselves on the other end of the stick last weekend.
A home defeat to Huddersfield Town would have left much to ponder for boss Kit Symons, but a 94th-minute equaliser from Cauley Woodrow at least saw them reclaim one of the points that they had previously dropped.
This is a results business, though, and two points from four matches has left the club lingering above the relegation zone. Symons has revealed that new arrivals are on their way, but the West London club need to find a settled lineup.
Last season's top goalscorer Ross McCormack got on the scoresheet in the League Cup in midweek for his first goals of the campaign, but they need more players to chip in rather than relying on the former Leeds United man, Woodrow and Tom Cairney.
Recent form: DLLD
Recent form (all competitions): DWLLDW
Team News
© Getty Images
Rotherham boss Evans has revealed that Lee Frecklington is a major doubt after sustaining a dead leg.
He could be replaced by Chris Maguire, but Joe Mattock and Richard Smallwood will not be risked if they have not fully recovered from respective fitness issues.
Fulham midfielder Jamie O'Hara was left out on Tuesday due to illness, and he is an unlikely starter in Yorkshire at the weekend.
Symons must decide between Andy Lonergan or on-loan Joe Lewis, who has been brought in to replace injured goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.
Defender Tim Ream, who is a recent addition from Bolton Wanderers, should start in defence in place of Shaun Hutchinson.
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Roos, Buxton, Halford, Collins, Newell, Maguire, Smallwood, G.Ward, Ledesma, Clarke-Harris, Derbyshire
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Lonergan, Richards, Ream, Burn, Voser, Cairney, Christensen, Pringle, Kacaniklic, McCormack, Dembele
Head To Head
Rotherham and Fulham have previously met on 36 occasions, with Fulham posting 14 victories compared to nine wins for Rotherham.
The most recent fixtures, which came last season, both ended in draws, but before that, Fulham had registered a double over Rotherham during the 1993-94 campaign.
Rotherham enjoyed much of their success over Fulham before 1959, but since then, they have only won three times in 23 attempts.
Video Preview
Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Rotherham United 0-2 Fulham
Despite their respective records, both teams should not be too disheartened heading into this fixture, which could result in an entertaining game between the two. However, we are backing Fulham to come out on top and start to make inroads up the league table.
Darren Plant
