Fulham are unbeaten in their last 12 matches and go into Saturday's game with Derby looking to move further up the Championship table. Fulham's unbeaten streak goes back to December 23rd when the club defeated Barnsley, 2-1.
The team's 12 match unbeaten run has seen them win nine matches. Fulham's ability to take 30 points from 36 possible has lead the club back up the table. However, the Cottagers need to continue their form to ensure a playoff place is secured.
Derby currently sit one point and one place above Fulham in the Championship table. However, the Rams have been in poor form of late. The team has won just three of its last 11 matches. Although Derby have lost just once in that timespan, the team has been unable to turn draws into wins.
Derby have lost three times at home this season, while giving up the second fewest goals in the Championship at Pride Park (12). The Rams are +16 in goals at home and Derby will test Fulham's defence on Saturday. Derby manager Gary Rowett plans to have a settled team. Rowett has shuffled his starting XI in recent matches. It has led to the Rams to losing form and dropping from second to fourth. The manager's changes were influenced by his players being tired. However, in Derby's last four games, the changes haven't worked out.
Rowett has watched his defence give up eight goals in its last four matches. The team's backline had been hard to breakdown until recently. Fulham's visit to Pride Park is not what Derby's defence will want to see coming at it as the Cottagers are in great scoring form.
Fulham will provide Derby with their biggest game since the Rams victory over arch-rivals Nottingham Forest in October. The Cottagers are flying high, but automatic promotion (currently eight points away) seems a step too far. The team needs to continue to secure points to keep from falling out of the playoff places.
Ryan Sessegnon has taken his goals tally to 13. He has scored nearly a quarter of all Fulham goals this term. The teen sensation is fifth in scoring in the Championship. He will line up across from the Championship's leading scorer Matej Vydra. The Derby striker leads the Championship with 17 goals. Vydra has gone his last two matches without a goal and the Rams need him to find the back of the net to continue their playoffs hopes. The striker scored the last time these two sides met in November. That match saw the teams share the points as the game ended 1-1.
The starting XI that Fulham played in their most recent match – a win over league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers – saw five changes to the side that drew with Derby previously. The Rams will see a different set of players as Fulham strengthen in January. The teams' previous match saw Fulham winless in their previous five matches beforehand. The Fulham team that will arrive at Pride Park will be a completely different side for Rowett and company.
Despite Fulham's great form coming into the match, Derby's home record means the Cottagers should only leave with one point. Fulham's unbeaten run will continue on Saturday, but the west Londoners will only be able to get a draw against Derby.