What will Fulham's starting line-up be against Wolves?
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Fulham were without key man Aleksandar Mitrovic last weekend and went with a ‘bit of’ a ‘false nine’ but The Cottagers still managed to defeat Brighton and Hove Albion by a goal to nil as they chase potential European qualification.
Fulham have lost just two of their 12 matches in all competitions since the return to Premier League football after the FIFA World Cup break. In those 12 games, Marco Silva’s men have conceded just seven goals with Bernd Leno earning widespread praise for his performances. That record has made it fairly easy for the Portuguese boss to select a regular and settled defensive back four.
The back four of Kenny Tete at right-back, Issa Diop and Tim Ream in the heart of the defence with Antonee Robinson at left full-back has provided Fulham with an impressive ability to build-up play from the back swiftly but, as mentioned with their recent defensive stats, solid enough they are very rarely caught in possession or in transition.
The back-line has kept and is keeping the likes of Layvin Kurzawa and Tosin Adarabioyo but, with an FA Cup fifth round tie against Leeds in midweek, rotation is likely for that match, rather than this one against Wolves.
Once again, another fundamental part supporting and underpinning Fulham’s general overperformance so far this season is the back of their midfield. The technical ability and defensive awareness of Joao Palhinha, ably supported by the improving Harrison Reed, sets the platform for Fulham’s collection of attacking stars.
In attack, Fulham opted for Bobby Decordova-Reid up-front but their front four was fluid with Willian, Andreas Pereira and Harry Wilson in behind. At home, though, Silva may be tempted to revert to an out and out number nine so Carlos Vinicius starting would be no surprise.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Vinicius
UNAVAILABLE: Kebano (Injured), Cairney (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Mitrovic (Injured)
