Predicted Fulham Line-up To Face Preston North End In EFL Championship
Fulham remain in good nick going into their clash with Preston North End at the weekend, their win against West London rivals QPR having moved them up to 10th in the table.
The potential return to the side of the influential Tom Cairney may force a change in formation. A return to last season’s trusted 4-2-3-1 by replacing the 4-3-3 employed when Fulham won last time out is possible.
Formation: 4-3-3
Manager: Slavisa Jokanovic
GK – David Button
Were Fulham to take the next step and aim for automatic promotion this term, they needed a better number one, and you can’t help feeling that . That said, Button is still going well at the back and should keep his place.
RB – Ryan Fredericks
The attacking full-back complimented Scott Malone very well last season and continues to do a similar job, with Ryan Sessegnon now employed on the other side.
CB – Tomas Kalas
A return to Fulham was always on the cards for the popular Chelsea defender and he is once again proving his worth in this division.
CB – Tim Ream
It’s a harsh thing to write; but Fulham are not the most solid defensively and it cost them last season. Perhaps a replacement for Ream is needed? Anyway, for now he continues at the back alongside Kalas.
LB – Ryan Sessegnon
Had Fulham signed a direct replacement for Malone then this lad would probably be in the forward line. He has talent which is wasted at the back, but his support play down the left will be vital in any case, even from this position.
CM – Kevin McDonald
Solid and reliable, the club slapped a £7million price tag on him in the summer when Nottingham Forest were sniffing around and it’s simple to see why.
CM – Stefan Johansen
One of the reasons I love this formation at Fulham is Johansen. Solid in his duties in the holding two, he still gets forward to contribute plenty of key passes and even a fair number of goals. Vital player.
RW – Kebano
With Ojo out injured, expect Kebano to start in the place of the talented Liverpool youngster.
CAM – Tom Cairney
Playing this formation is entirely based on a potential return for Cairney. If he plays, they have a physical presence which gets back and helps the midfield while being fit enough to bomb forward into the no.10 position when in possession. Compliments Johansen perfectly.
LW – Yohan Mollo
Ayite, Piazon, Odoi and others are all chasing such a position (arguably one which should belong to Sessegnon) but for now Mollo is the man.
ST – Rui Fonte
Fulham desperately needed a proper No.9 and to be brutally honest, I’m not certain they’ve found it yet!