Match Preview
Fulham vrs West Bromwich Albion
Championship Match Day 07 1920 at Craven Cottage
Saturday 14th September KO: 12:30pm
Referee:
David Webb (Lancashire)
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Fulham's winning start to life back in the second tier has stuttered in recent weeks, with the Whites last tasting victory on 21 August, when they beat Millwall at Craven Cottage.
Scott Parker's side lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest three days later, before crashing out of the Carabao Cup against Southampton.
Prior to the first international break, they drew 1-1 with Cardiff.
Though they've won three and drawn three, the Baggies' unbeaten start has them sitting fourth in the Championship ahead of kick-off.
Last time out, they beat Blackburn 3-2 at The Hawthorns, after successive 1-1 draws with Derby and Reading.
Fulham boss Scott Parker: "Overall, after six games, we're pleased with the way it's gone.
Last year, we were used to losing games and it became a bit of a habit, but now we're in a league where we're expected to do something.
I'm happy with the way we've started.
"I'm fully aware of West Brom's quality, they're a very good side who will certainly be up there.
We've prepared like we do for every game, as we realise the challenge ahead.
They've been in this division for two years now, so have come to grips with it.
They have some very good players, experience players, so we're looking forward to it. I expect it's going to be a very good game."
West Brom boss Slaven Bilic: "It is the most difficult game but it is not like so far we have not played good teams yet.
We have played against some top teams like Derby away and Forest away.
What makes the Championship a big and interesting league is it is pretty much even and every game is a massive test for you, so I don't see it any different.
"We can talk about Fulham, that last year they were in the Premier League, but they are not cruising.
For them it is also a big test for the players.
On paper they are definitely one of the favourites to go up.
Big club. We are playing on their ground and it is going to be a massive test for us."
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Fulham are unbeaten in their last seven league games against West Brom (W3 D4 L0), although this is their first meeting since February 2014 in the Premier League.
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West Brom are winless in each of their last 15 league trips to Fulham (W0 D6 L9) since winning 2-1 in October 1967.
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The two teams to complete the most successful passes in the opposition half this season are Fulham (1,347) and West Brom (1,308).
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Fulham have put together 126 sequences of 10 or more passes in open play this season – 47 more than any other Championship team.
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West Bromwich Albion have won the most points from losing positions in the Championship this season (11). The Baggies have gone behind in five of their six games and lost none (W3 D2 L0).
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Grady Diangana’s three Championship goals this season have been worth five points for West Brom – no player has won more points for their team in the division this season.