Fulham (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction
"It's a key spell for us. The first seven games have been very, very positive in lots of aspects of our play, but maybe not in terms of the points delivery and the amount of games we've won. We have to be mindful of that."
This was Eddie Howe's message ahead of our final run of fixtures before the World Cup, suggesting now is the time to turn promising performances into points.
Believe it or not, this is the longest we've gone without a win since Howe took over almost 12 months ago, with us failing to take all three points since that opening day victory over Nottingham Forest.
There's been plenty of positive displays, seeing us have more of the ball and create plenty of chances, however we were toothless in that 1-1 draw with Bournemouth before the international break and must respond at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Fulham have been by far the most impressive of the three newly promoted clubs so far. Aleksandar Mitrovic's superb form has been a huge part of their success, but Marco Silva has made them more competitive in all areas of the pitch, leaving them 6th in the table and unbeaten at home.
It's a big game. Win and we're back on track, putting lingering doubts from that tepid Bournemouth display to bed, but a defeat or another toothless draw could turn an average start into a poor one.
Team news
Bruno Guimaraes and Callum Wilson have both been passed fit to play, but Alexander Isak looks set to miss out - despite Eddie Howe insisting his injury doesn't look serious following his withdrawal from the Sweden squad.
Allan Saint-Maximin is "very close" to returning, but he and Chris Wood (rib) will undergo late fitness tests to determine if they're able to make the bench. Elsewhere, Elliot Anderson is fine after a minor knock kept him out of that 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.
For Fulham, they'll be without a key player in Joao Palhinha, with the Portuguese midfielder suspended after picking up his fifth yellow of the season in their win at Nottingham Forest before the break. Aleksandar Mitrovic picked up a knock while playing for Serbia, but he's expected to be fine.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Lascelles, Botman, Targett – Joelinton, S Longstaff, Guimaraes - Almiron, Wilson, Fraser.
Eddie Howe may have two defensive dilemmas going into this one. Does he start Lascelles over Schar - as he did at Anfield - to help deal with Mitrovic's power and aerial prowess and will he opt for Burn or Botman?
The latter withdrew from international duty to focus on club football, with reports suggesting he was 'frustrated and surprised' to be left out of our draw with Bournemouth. As an imposing centre-back who's barely lost an aerial duel all season, I fancy him to partner Lascelles at Fulham.
He and Lascelles often played together over pre-season and could be the ideal mix to handle Mitrovic. Howe could easily opt for Schar and Burn - his preferred partnership over the past six months - but I've got a sneaky feeling we'll see a few changes in that department.
In midfield, I see Sean Longstaff returning in a deeper role, allowing Bruno Guimaraes to push further up the pitch alongside Joelinton. This would see Willock drop out, which isn't ideal, but if Bruno is to operate in that preferred 'No 8' role, Longstaff is our only 'No 6' while Shelvey remains out.
In attack, Callum Wilson looks ready to return at just the right time, with injuries to Isak and Wood over the international break handing our No 9 the ideal opportunity to come back with a bang.
Predicted Fulham XI: Leno - Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Kurzawa - Reed, Cairney - Willian, Pereira, Reid - Mitrovic.
One to watch: Aleksandar Mitrovic – Only Erling Haaland has scored more Premier League goals than the former Mag this season, with the Serbian also scoring four goals in two Nations League outings over the break. A real handful with a point to prove who could cause huge problems if we're not strong enough or allow too many crosses into the box.
Prediction
All eyes are on Mitrovic, but Palhinha will be a big miss for the hosts, as no player in Europe's top five leagues has completed more tackles so far this season. Without him, there could be some steel missing from Fulham's engine room - something the likes of Bruno Guimaraes will gladly exploit.
It won't be easy - Fulham have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season at Craven Cottage and we arrive on the back of a disruptive international break and poor display against Bournemouth - but I'm backing us to come away with a hard fought yet well deserved win.
Wilson to bag a brace on his comeback in the capital and Newcastle to
Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Newcastle
