Predicted Fulham Line-up To Face Derby County In The EFL Championship
Two sides with play-off ambitions but who have ultimately let their fans down to a degree over the last year-and-a-half meet for a live teatime kick-off here, with hosts Fulham still nursing a few absentees.
Lucas Piazon is out for another month with a fibula fracture while Sheyi Ojo has returned to training after undergoing rehab on his shoulder injury.
Kevin McDonald’s yellow card last time at Wolves saw him reach five for the season and he faces a suspension here, with Slavisa Jokanvic likely to replace him in the midfield with Ibrahima Cisse in a 4-3-3 formation:
Formation: 4-3-3
Manager: Slavisa Jokanovic
GK – David Button
He and Bettinelli have jostled for this position in the last year or so, but Button may eventually come out on top in the long-term.
RB – Ryan Fredericks
The attacking right-back is vital to the way Fulham play, but without the output they had from Malone on the other side last season, it’s much less effective now.
CB – Tomas Kalas
The on-loan Chelsea man may come in to replace Odoi at the back and could rekindle his partnership with Ream.
CB – Tim Ream
The American stalwart should once again line up next to his old partner but will have a busy evening once again.
LB – Ryan Sessegnon
Sad though it is in my opinion, the young man continues at left-back and looking at the youthful way England lined up against Germany and Brazil, you can’t help feeling that he may have already been an international if he had gone to the Premier League over the summer and played further forward.
RCM – Oliver Norwood
The summer signing came in to add even more quality to Fulham’s midfield, but I feel this formation is not working for them other than serving the purpose of fitting in more of their central midfield talent.
CM – Ibrahima Cisse
A straight swap for McDonald and will look to just keep things steady in the middle.
LCM – Stefan Johansen
Yet another player who is (slightly) inconvenienced by this line-up and formation. He retains plenty of ability though and can hurt Derby.
RW – Floyd Ayite
The wide man doesn’t have the same influence as Aluko did but will probably carry on in this role.
LW – Tom Cairney
It’s either this or an unsuitable role alongside Cisse if the 4-3-3 is in evidence. Cairney is top quality and will certainly have a say on the outcome of the game.
ST – Rui Fonte
Fulham probably feel they are not getting their money’s worth out of the Portuguese striker, but they have little in the way of options.