We have one foot in the playoff final. Our second-half performance on Monday was superb with two excellent goals capping off a great evening. The Wembley arch is in sight but will we keep our nerve as Cardiff come to Craven Cottage trying to spoil the party?
Admittedly I have given Scott Parker and Josh Onomah my fair share of criticism but full props to them for turning it around. Both have improved tremendously throughout the season and their relationship is more father-son than of a coach and player. We need to be ready for Cardiff to attack us from the off so the first goal is incredibly important. If we get it then the there is less pressure as I cant see them overturning three goals, however, if they get it we could be in serious trouble.
I would make just one change to the team that won the first leg as it is key to not unsettle the team. This change would be bringing Kamara in for Decordova-Reid. Kamara would give the relatively slow Cardiff centre backs nightmares with his pace and directness with the ball. Unfortunately, I don’t think Parker can get the most out of Decordova-Reid so it would be more beneficial for Kamara to lead the line. Even if Mitro is fit I would keep him on the bench to use him in an emergency… if we make it to the playoff final, we need him as fit as possible.
I think we will draw the second leg 1-1 going through 3-1 on aggregate with another Kebano free kick.
Head To Head
- Fulham Wins – 29
- Draws – 13
- Cardiff Wins – 25
- Goals For – 106
- Goals Against – 97
- Biggest Wins – Fulham 4-0 Cardiff (1931/32), Fulham 4-0 Cardiff (1948/49), Fulham 1-5 Cardiff (1968/69), Fulham 4-0 Cardiff (1974/75), Cardiff 0-4 Fulham (1983/84)
Last 5 Games
- Cardiff 0-2 Fulham
- Fulham 2-0 Cardiff
- Cardiff 1-1 Fulham
- Fulham 1-0 Cardiff
- Cardiff 4-2 Fulham
Last Time Out
Cardiff 0-2 Fulham
I’m struggling to remember the last time we played Cardiff but I’m pretty sure we won 2-0 at The Cardiff City Stadium. Onomah opened the scoring in the second half taking the ball past three players before finishing past Smithies. Kebano got our second late on scoring his third free kick in three games leaving us just 90 minutes away from the playoff final.
Players in Common
Harry Arter, Bobby Brown, Richard Carpenter, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Jeff Eckhardt, Neil Etheridge, Kerim Frei, Julian Gray, Mark Grew, Heidar Helguson, Mark Hudson, Junichi Inamoto, Eddie Johnson, Mark Kelly, Peter Kitchen, Joe Lewis, Scott Malone, Ross McCormack, Brian McDermott, Chris Pike, Bobby Reid, Jazz Richards, Kieran Richardson, David Roberts, Wayne Routledge, Phil Stant, Mark Walton, Alan Warboys, Tony Warner, Paul Went.
Score Predictions
Fulham View: Tom Greatrex – FST Chair (@tomjgreatrex)
Fulham 3 – 1 Cardiff
Cardiff View: @BluebirdsPast
Fulham 1 – 1 Cardiff
Former Player: Luis Boa Morte (@luisboamorte11)
Fulham 2 – 1 Cardiff
Battle To Watch
Harrison Reed vs Lee Tomlin
Lee Tomlin has been in and around the Championship for the majority of his career and despite being in the latter stages of his time as a footballer, he is a big reason why Cardiff secured a playoff spot this season. 31-year-old Tomlin has scored 8 goals and has got 10 assists in the Championship playing some of the best football of his career. We saw glimpses in the first leg of what he can do so hopefully Harrison Reed can limit his involvement in the game.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
