Derby action is on offer this weekend in the English Championship League when Fulham FC hosts fellow Londoners Charlton Athletic FC at Craven Cottage.
This will be Fulham’s second derby match of the season following their 4-0 triumph over south-east London side Millwall FC. Fulham are currently on 18 points occupying the 5th position on the league table after Charlton lost 2-1 at home to new league leaders Swansea City FC.
This match will be the 71st meeting between the two London sides in all competitions, with The Cottagers having the slight edge winning 25 games as against the 22 matches their opponents have won.
Fulham Manager Scott Parker will be well aware of how tricky derby matches can be and will prepare his free-scoring side for the threat that The Addicks will carry. Just one point separates the London pair with Charlton on 17 points. Scott Parker won’t be too carried away with his side’s emphatic 4-1 away win at Reading FC. He will be keen to guide his team to another derby day victory and put daylight between them and 8th placed London rivals Charlton Athletic.
The Cottagers will most likely field an unchanged starting eleven with the prolific Serbian Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic leading the line. Fulham Captain Tom Cairney will be aiming to continue to provide goal scoring support alongside winger Anthony Knockaert as the Lily Whites seek to maintain their run at promotion.
Charlton Manager Lee Bowyer has been talking about his opponents ahead of their match on Saturday, 5th of October. Bowyer described Fulham as having the ‘’best squad’’ in the Championship. Further commenting he added.
“Fulham are a very good team. I watched them last night at Reading. They were excellent.’’
Though confident, Bowyer was however cautious of his team’s chances against the West London side.
Bowyer further added “Scottie’s job is to get the promotion – ours is to stay in the league. You’re talking about two different scales.”
“I know one thing – my players are going to go there and give 100 per cent, and we will cause them problems and create chances.
“It’s 50-50 who is going to win.”
We will find out if The Addicks can avoid a second successive defeat at the hands of Fulham with the early kick-off at 12:30 PM.
Fulham FC are backed at 1.43 to defeat Charlton, while Charlton ae fancied at 7.15 to win. A likely draw is pegged at 4.76.
Written by: Ayotunde Omolayole
