Fulham seem to be having a slight wobble in form at the most important stage of their season and they will be very frustrated in the manner of their loss in the first leg. Derby stayed very tight and regimented, and the Fulham attackers just could not break them down.
It is not all doom and gloom, however, and Fulham will be very confident that they can pull back the deficit and win the second leg of this playoff. Will be a great game.
Probable Fulham XI
Manager: Slavisa Jokanovic
Formation: 4-3-3
Marcus Bettinelli (GK)
The 25-year-old didn’t have the best of games in the first leg. Jerome’s header was good but Bettinelli probably could’ve got to it and kept it out. Will be looking to improve in the second leg.
Ryan Fredericks (RB)
Fredericks had a good game last time out. He defended well and also managed to cause a threat when going forward. Everything was close in the attack but nothing quite came off. Will be hoping that his luck changes in the second leg.
Denis Odoi (CB)
Odoi had a great game in the first leg and will be annoyed that he didn’t keep a clean sheet. He is a small guy but nothing gets past him in the air or on the ground.
Tim Ream (CB)
Ream also had a decent game at centre-back and the Fulham defence didn’t look too threatened apart from the goal. Will be looking to stay solid in the second leg.
Matt Targett (LB)
Targett did not have the best of games and was beaten too easily in the air for Jerome’s goal. Got a knock a couple of games ago and has been playing through it. So he may improve as it heals.
Stefan Johansen (CM)
Johansen looked off the pace in the first leg but has to play to complete that dangerous trio in the midfield. Will be looking to have a better game.
Kevin McDonald (CM)
McDonald was very unlucky not to score in the first game and Jokanovic will be hoping he keeps up his level of performance in the second leg.
Tom Cairney (CM)
Cairney had an excellent game in the first leg and will be looking for more of the same in the next. He looked a constant threat when moving forward with the ball and his passing was exquisite.
Ryan Sessegnon (LW)
Sessegnon has been worryingly out of form in the last two games but Jokanovic has to stick with him because he has the ability to change a game in an instant.
Lucas Piazon (RW)
Was left out of the starting line-up in the first leg but looked hungry when he came on. Offers pace and creativity in the left-wing and will be hoping to take advantage of the space left by Derby’s wing-backs.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (ST)
Was fairly anonymous in the first leg and will be hoping to create more drama for the Derby defence next time out.