Fulham v Middlesbrough preview

Image: Slavisa Jokanovic

Rui Fonte could return to the Fulham starting line-up when Middlesbrough visit Craven Cottage.

The Portuguese winger has recovered from a groin injury and was a late substitute at Burton last weekend. Skipper Tom Cairney is still struggling with a knee injury, Lucas Piazon is recovering from a broken leg and Rafa Soares is out with an ankle problem. Defender Tomas Kalas faces the club where he spent 18 months on loan from Chelsea.

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Midfielder Adam Clayton will return to the Middlesbrough squad after sitting out the Carabao Cup victory at Aston Villa in midweek through suspension. Clayton collected his fifth booking of the campaign during Saturday's 3-2 league win over QPR but is available once again.

However, winger Adama Traore will still be missing as he completes a three-match ban following his dismissal during Boro's league trip to Villa on September 12. Martin Braithwaite has returned to training after being sidelined since the opening day of the campaign by a hamstring problem, although the game is likely to come too soon for him, while fellow striker Rudy Gestede continues his recovery from thigh surgery.

Highlights from Pirelli Stadium as Burton hosted Fulham in the Sky Bet Championship.

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None of the last 10 league meetings between the teams at Craven Cottage have ended level, with Fulham winning seven and Middlesbrough three since a 2-2 draw in September 1986.

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Middlesbrough haven't won back to back league games at Craven Cottage since April 1958.

Fulham haven't kept a home clean sheet in any competition in their last 17 matches at Craven Cottage, since a 2-0 win over Barnsley in January.

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In fact, none of Fulham's last 129 home league games have ended goalless, since drawing 0-0 with Aston Villa in August 2011.

Garry Monk has led Middlesbrough to three consecutive away clean sheets (all comps) - the first time Monk has achieved this in his managerial career.

Britt Assombalonga's only previous Football League hat-trick came against Fulham for Nottingham Forest in September 2014 - they are the only three goals he's scored against Fulham in four league appearances.

Highlights from the Riverside stadium as Middlesbrough hosted QPR in the Sky Bet Championship.

Prutton's prediction

This is as good as a flip of a coin at Craven Cottage as far as I'm concerned. It's the start of a tough week for Fulham as they face Middlesbrough before quickfire trips to Nottingham Forest and QPR.

They'll want a win on Saturday but Slavisa Jokanovic and Garry Monk would probably both take a point from this one, so I'm going for a draw.

Prutton predicts: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)

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