Fulham continue to be the in-form team in the Championship. The West London club has not tasted defeat since December 16.
Fulham are now 18-matches unbeaten with 14 of those games ending in wins for Slavisa Jokanovic's side. Fulham's most recent win pulled them closer to the automatic promotion places and a win at the weekend could see the club even closer to the top two.
Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers will play second place Cardiff on Friday night. Fulham are now five points back of the Bluebirds and could be as close as two by the end of the weekend. It has been a dramatic march up the table for Jokanovic and his men. When Fulham started their current unbeaten run in late December, the club was 11th in the Championship. Now third, Fulham could break into the top two for the first time this season as just six games remain. Unfortunately for the club, second place Cardiff have a game in hand, which could see them hold of the charging Fulham.
While Fulham are red-hot, Sheffield Wednesday have been quietly surging in lower mid-table. The Owls are undefeated in their last four games, which includes three straight wins. The pressure seems to be off Sheffield Wednesday and safety from relegation is nearly secured. Sheffield Wednesday have averaged three goals per game in their last three matches while giving up just one goal per match. Jos Luhukay may have finally got his players and tactics as one. The manager suffered a poor run of results when he joined on January 5, and he has recorded just a 33%-win rate. However, the Owls look to finally be going in the right direction.
Although Sheffield Wednesday's defence has improved in their last three matches, Fulham arrive at Hillsborough having scored the second most goals in the Championship(70). The Whites total is just three behind former runaway leaders Wolverhampton (73). Fulham's teen sensation Ryan Sessegnon has cooled off and hasn't scored in his last five matches. However, January loan signing Aleksander Mitrovic has scored eight goals in 11 matches for Fulham. His goal and assist against Leeds in midweek ensured all three points went to the Cottagers.
Fulham maybe within touching distance of Cardiff and second place for automatic promotion. However, major sportsbooks have listed the Cottagers as the favourite to earn Premier League promotion through the playoffs. The team could still overhaul the five-point gap between themselves and the Bluebirds. But Cardiff's game in hand give them an upper hand.
Fulham will keep the heat on Cardiff this weekend. The Cottagers will continue their hot streak by beating Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. If Cardiff lose to Wolves, then anything is possible for Fulham.