Match Preview
Fulham
vrs
Preston
Championship Match Day 18 1516 at Craven Cottage
Saturday 27th November 2015 KO: 15:00
Referee: Graham Horwood (Bedfordshire)
|
Fulham head into another game without a permanent replacement to Kit Symons in place as they look to protect their place in the top half of the table, while Preston are looking to bounce back after seeing a six-match unbeaten run come to an end.
Preston North End will be aiming to move further clear of the relegation zone when they make the trip to West London to meet Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
Fulham have continued to take up column inches in the past week, but it is their business off the pitch which is attracting most attention as they search for a replacement to Symons, who was sacked prior to the international break earlier this month.
It has been a difficult couple of weeks for the supporters for the club as they wait to learn who will take the team forward after talks with Reading boss Steve Clarke fell through just as the former West Bromwich Albion manager looked set to make the switch to the capital.
The latest reports have suggested that Fulham are targeting Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett, but it remains unclear whether they can tempt him to leave with his side currently sitting seven points better off in sixth spot.
Under-21s head coach Peter Grant, who has ruled himself out of the running for the job, was in charge as Moussa Dembele cancelled out a Dean Bowditch opener to earn a 1-1 draw away to MK Dons last weekend. Grant looks set to lead the team once again, but he admits that an appointment needs to be made soon for the benefit of the squad as they look to close the gap on the sides above them.
"It's been a tough couple of weeks for them - they have heard a lot of different voices on the training ground," the caretaker boss told reporters. Bouncing back from successive defeats in the final two games of the Symons remain was crucial, but victories are needed if Fulham are to convince their doubters that they are strong enough to challenge for a playoff spot.
Preston head into the weekend under pressure to respond after seeing a good run of form ended by the 2-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers last Saturday.
Paul Lambert started his new job with a victory, but it was frustration for Simon Grayson and his players as Preston finally conceded after keeping six successive clean sheets.
Three goalless draws and two victories were enough to edge Preston out of the relegation zone, but with their momentum halted by the defeat to Blackburn, their performance in a trip to the capital will be a test of their resolve.
Good news did arrive in the loss as Joe Garner netted his first Championship goal of the season, and Grayson will be hopeful that the striker can hit his best form ahead of meetings with Fulham, Burnley and Reading over the next three weeks.
"Credit to him, he has never shied away and has continued to work hard up there," the Preston boss told the Lancashire Post.
"I don't think his confidence ever took a dip, it was just a case of him getting the rub of the green.
" Only Bolton Wanderers have scored less than Preston's tally of 12 goals from 17 league games, and with their attacking play the clear area of concern for this side, it will take contributions from others for Preston to pull away from danger over the coming weeks.
-
This is the first competitive meeting between the two sides since 2000. Preston claimed four points against the Cottagers in the 2000/01 campaign as Fulham secured promotion to the Premier League.
-
The Lilywhites have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine meetings with Fulham, a 1-0 away win the last time the two sides met at Craven Cottage.
-
Ross McCormack (12) has had a hand in more Championship goals this season than any other player for a single club (nine goals, three assists).
-
Fulham have the best shot conversion rate in the league this season (19.1%).
-
Fulham have won 35%, drawn 25% and lost 40% of their last 20 home games.
-
Fulham have conceded in 90% of their last 20 home games.
-
Fulham have scored in 85% of their last 20 home games.
-
Fulham last kept a clean sheet at home 5 games ago.
-
Preston are the only side in the second tier yet to score a headed goal in 2015/16, while Fulham have shipped the most headers (8).
-
Preston have yet to win any points from losing positions this season, a league-low.
-
Preston have won 35%, drawn 35% and lost 30% of their last 20 away games.
-
Preston have conceded in 55% of their last 20 away games.
-
Preston have scored in 75% of their last 20 away games.
-
Preston last kept a clean sheet away from home 1 game ago.