Cairney starts: The predicted Fulham XI to face Bristol City on Saturday | OneFootball

Icon: Football League World

Football League World

·14 January 2022

Cairney starts: The predicted Fulham XI to face Bristol City on Saturday

Article image:Cairney starts: The predicted Fulham XI to face Bristol City on Saturday

Automatic promotion contenders Fulham will be desperate to build on their emphatic 7-0 midweek win at strugglers Reading with another three points against Bristol City tomorrow afternoon.

That victory at the Select Car Leasing Stadium came after a frustrating run of five winless league games, winning just four points from a possible 15 and allowing Blackburn Rovers to force their way into the top-two race.


OneFootball Videos


For a side whose schedule was disrupted by Covid-19 postponements, this much-needed win will come as a huge relief to Marco Silva’s men and they will be the favourites once again to come out on top considering their home advantage and superior league position.

Quiz: Can you name which club Fulham signed these 28 defenders from?

1 of 28

Article image:Cairney starts: The predicted Fulham XI to face Bristol City on Saturday

1. Kenny Tete

Lyon Lille Nantes Nice

With Blackburn continuing to pursue a spot at the top of the division, taking West Bromwich Albion’s title of being the main challenger to AFC Bournemouth and the Cottagers, the latter will need to find consistency if they want to assert themselves as favourites to secure an instant return to the Premier League.

Pulling away with the Cherries from the rest of the pack earlier in the season, they will be expected to do so once again with the calibre of players in their squad and expectations would have been heightened by their result in Berkshire on Tuesday night.

With this convincing victory under their belt, will Silva make any changes for tomorrow’s tie in the English capital as they seek successive wins in the league for the first time since November?

We can’t know for sure – but we have predicted the starting lineup he may put out against Nigel Pearson’s Robins.

Article image:Cairney starts: The predicted Fulham XI to face Bristol City on Saturday

It’s testament to Marek Rodak that he’s keeping summer signing Paulo Gazzaniga out of the lineup and he will start once again after performing well against Reading. In fairness, he didn’t have much to deal with, but he did have to be alert to deal with Mamadi Camara’s backheel in the first half.

The back four was also rarely tested – but both Antonee Robinson and Kenny Tete provided a different option in attack and Tosin Adarabioyo will have been pleased to get himself on the scoresheet once again.

Harrison Reed lines up alongside Tom Cairney, with the latter spraying the ball around well in midweek and proving to be a crucial asset in the middle for the west London outfit.

Another top performer on Tuesday was Harry Wilson, who was a constant threat as he scored a brace and won a penalty in the first half for Aleksandar Mitrovic to convert. Continuing to justify his price tag, he will start on one the right with Neeskens Kebano on the left-hand side.

The promising Fabio Carvalho also retains his place despite uncertainty continuing regarding his contract situation, with Bobby Decordova-Reid the unlucky man who has to wait his turn whilst the attacking midfield three continue to shine.

Up top, it has to be Serbia international Mitrovic after seeing him score a couple at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, although it’s expected that Rodrigo Muniz will enter the fray at some point, especially if the hosts are in need of a goal or two.

View publisher imprint