Fulham vs Cardiff City Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Lee Bushe
Cardiff City have something of a mountain to climb when they visit Fulham for the second leg of their Championship playoff semi-final on Thursday.
Scott Parker's side scored twice to ensure a comfortable 2-0 first-leg victory at the Cardiff City Stadium on Monday, making them the favourites to go to Wembley. They've been in excellent form since the restart in June - winning five of their nine league games - but found themselves unable to challenge the top two and had to settle for a playoff place.
Cardiff were 14th in the Championship - and five points off a playoff place - when Neil Harris replaced Neil Warnock in November, but the former Millwall manager has led a revival, winning 14 of his 30 league games in charge to lead them into the top six. They too had been in good form since June, winning six out of their last nine league games.
Where to Watch
When is Kick-Off? Thursday 30 July
What Time is Kick-Off? 19:45 (BST)
Where is it Played? Craven Cottage
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football (UK)
Team News
Championship Golden Boot winner Aleksandar Mitrovic sat out of Fulham's victory over Cardiff on Monday with a knock, though Parker is hopeful that he will be at his disposal for Thursday.
Another recent absentee is Ivan Cavaleiro. The Portuguese winger has missed out on the Cottagers' last three games due to an issue with his thigh and isn't expected to be back for the Cardiff game. Parker's only other injury concern is Terence Kongolo, who has been out since February with a foot injury.
Harris will probably have to make do without Greg Cunningham, who recently returned to training but hasn't played for Cardiff since October, while Isaac Vassell is almost certain not to appear.
Predicted Lineups
Fulham: Rodak; Christie, Hector, Ream, Bryan; Onomah, Reed, Knockaert, Cairney, Kebano; Mitrovic.
Cardiff: Smithies; Bacuna, Morrison, Nelson, Bennett; Ralls, Pack, Mendez-Laing, Tomlin, Hoilett; Glatzel.
Recent Form
Fulham are on a good run of form, having not lost in their last eight games. That run includes a 2-0 defeat of Cardiff at Craven Cottage a few weeks ago. Parker's side also possesses one of the best home records in the Championship, ranking only behind Leeds and Brentford in terms of points gained on their turf.
Cardiff ended the Championship season with a run of three straight victories, scoring eight goals in the process, but fell to defeat in the first leg on Monday. They're one of the best home sides in the Championship, but are slightly poorer away from home, ranking eighth in the away table.
Here are the results from their last five games.
Fulham
Cardiff City 0-2 Fulham (27/7)
Wigan Athletic 1-1 Fulham (22/7)
Fulham 5-3 Sheffield Wednesday (18/7)
West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Fulham (14/7)
Fulham 2-0 Cardiff City (10/7)
Cardiff City
Cardiff City 0-2 Fulham (27/7)
Cardiff City 3-0 Hull City (22/7)
Middlesbrough 1-3 Cardiff City (18/7)
Cardiff City 2-1 Derby County (14/7)
Fulham 2-0 Cardiff City (10/7)
Prediction
Taking into account the fact that Fulham have a two-goal advantage and are playing at Craven Cottage, they'll be confident of securing their place at Wembley. There'll be no room for complacency however, as Neil Harris' side have scored more than three goals in a game in three of their last ten matches.
Prediction: Fulham 3-1 Cardiff City