Fulham host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon. The league leaders are looking to end Fulham's 11 match unbeaten run. Wolves can be criticised for coasting in the Championship over the last few matches, as the team has drawn its last two. Wolves' lead in the Championship is still nine points, but a loss to Fulham on Saturday could see their lead at the top dwindle.
Wolverhampton gave up a two-goal lead in midweek to Norwich. The match ended 2-2. It was a home result that the team hadn't experienced previously this term. Wolves are still scoring plenty of goals. The side averages 1.8 goals per match and 13.3 shots. Wolves have scored the most goals in the Championship (59) and have the best goal difference in the league (+33). Wolves possess the best away record in the Championship. The team hasn't been shy in front of goal on the road either as Wolves have scored 24 goals away from home.
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Wolves must do without key player Ruben Neves on Saturday. Neves received his 10th yellow card in the team's previous match. Neves has scored four goals in 32 appearances this season. The 20-year-old's defensive play has made him a major influence on Wolves from the middle of the park. Neves has been the bite in the team's spine. Without him in the Wolves' XI, Fulham should be able find holes in Wolverhampton's rearguard.
Fulham are the Championship's most in-form team. The club are unbeaten in their last 11 matches and Fulham have gone from a team just outside the playoff places to a team verging on a top two place. Fulham led the league in possession with 57.4% per match. Without Neves to win the ball for Wolves, Fulham should be able to keep possession for long stretches of the game. Fulham have won their last six home matches. Craven Cottage has become a fortress, and despite losing earlier this term to Wolverhampton, Fulham should provide a stiff challenge to the league leaders.
Fulham's lose in November to Wolverhampton came at a time when the Whites were suffering through their worst run of form this term. It was also a time when Wolves were at their strongest. Wolverhampton have taken their foot of the accelerator while Slavisa Jokanovic side has turned their play up. Times have changed so much for Wolves that Leo Bonatini was one of the team's goal scorers. Despite being Wolverhampton's leading scorer with 12 goals, Bonatini hasn't scored in his last 13 matches. He has also been dropped to the bench and played sparingly in the last few matches.
Fulham go into the fixture as the hottest team in the league. Meanwhile, Wolverhampton are a side trying to continue their form. Despite Wolves being the Championship's leaders, Fulham are in-form and exciting to watch right now. Fulham should pick up all three points and get closer to the top two.