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

Fulham play host to Cardiff City on Wednesday night looking to build on their impressive victory over Queens Park Rangers at the weekend.

While the Cottagers now sit in third place in the Championship standings, Cardiff are down in 20th position after six successive defeats.

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Match preview

Having delivered no consistency since before the September international break, Fulham were under pressure to perform against London rivals QPR on Saturday afternoon.

At one stage, it appeared that the two promotion-chasing clubs would play out a draw, but Marco Silva's team showed their class with three goals during the closing quarter.

With 23 points being collected from 12 matches, the Portuguese will be relatively satisfied with his team's return, particularly when that period has also included three defeats.

Nevertheless, he will feel that there is more to come over the winter months and he will call on his players to start matching the standards which have been set by leaders Bournemouth.

Aleksandar Mitrovic continues to be a revelation this season, the Serbia international's double at the weekend taking him to 12 strikes from as many appearances in the second tier.

Mick McCarthy would have had high hopes for Cardiff challenging Fulham for promotion this season, but the veteran boss is instead fighting to keep his job in South Wales.

The Bluebirds have suffered eight defeats in nine matches in all competitions, six in a row for the loss of 15 goals where the Championship is concerned.

McCarthy is experienced enough to know that he may be past the point of no return as the club's hierarchy inevitably consider alternatives to someone who only penned a two-year contract in March.

Nevertheless, on the back of losing 3-0 at rivals Swansea City, McCarthy will demand that his players restore some pride if he is given the chance to remain at the club this week.

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Team News

Bobby Decordova Reid is expected to be handed a place in the Fulham XI after replacing the injured Ivan Cavaleiro against QPR.

Antonee Robinson should return at left-back in place of Joe Bryan, while Nathaniel Chalobah is an option if Silva wants to freshen up his midfield.

McCarthy will almost certainly make alterations to his Cardiff starting lineup with Will Vaulks a likely inclusion in midfield.

The versatile Rubin Colwill could feature on the right-hand side of midfield or play in close proximity to Kieffer Moore.

With changes to the backline expected, Perry Ng may feature at right-back.

Fulham possible starting lineup:

Rodak; Odoi, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Seri, Reed; Kebano, Reid, Wilson; Mitrovic

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Smithies; Ng, Morrison, Flint, Nelson, Brown; Colwill, Ralls, Vaulks, Giles; Moore

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We say: Fulham 3-0 Cardiff City

This will surely be one-way traffic. Even with the unpredictability of the Championship, a trip to Fulham is the worst possible fixture for the Bluebirds, and we expect the home side to ease their way to victory.