Fulham v Hull City: Preview, predicted line-ups & team news

Fulham go into Saturday without a league win in six games, a run that has produced two draws and four defeats and left them with 2 points from a possible 18. They have lost once this season, drawn three and won two, and they come off a 2-2 home draw with Everton on 11 October.

The visitors' record is built on a deep block and a low share of the ball, which is awkward opposition for a side searching for a first win. Craven Cottage has not delivered one yet either: Fulham have drawn once and lost twice at home.

Fulham's recent results show a team that creates chances but concedes more than it should. The recent-form data has them averaging 14.17 shots and 1.59 expected goals per game, yet they have scored only 6 times in six league matches (1.0 per game). They have conceded 10, an average of 1.67, against an expected figure of 1.71 per game, so the defensive numbers are not simply bad luck.

The pattern of goals against is particularly telling. According to the season stats, 4 of the 11 goals-against minute splits fall between the 76th and 90th minute, which is 36.36% of what they have conceded, and the home defence has let in 2.3 per game. Their last outing was a 2-1 defeat at Ipswich on 10 October, and the form data shows a run of three straight losses before the two draws.

3 draws and 1 defeat from six, with three clean sheets, two of them at home, and only 6 goals conceded (1.0 per game). Their 5-4-1 shape has been used in all six matches.

The approach is reactive. That gap suggests some finishing efficiency that may not last. However, they have drawn at Chelsea (2-2) and beaten Manchester United 2-0, so the evidence says they are hard to beat.

The form data splits starkly. Fulham's recent run reads L-L-L-D-D-L across six league games, with 0 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats, which is 2 wins, suggesting the home side's record is harsher than their performances, even if conceding late goals has cost them points.

The full standings snapshot supplied runs only as far as seventh place, where Leeds have 9 points from six games, 3 draws), while Fulham have 2 from six (2 draws).

That leaves a 7-point difference in six matches. A home win would take Fulham to 5 points and give them their first victory of the campaign, while defeat would extend their winless run to seven and increase the pressure on their manager.

The supplied H2H data covers 10 meetings. Both teams scored in 4 of the 10 (40%) and 5 produced over 2.5 goals (50%).

The rivalry has not been played in the top flight in this data, since the recent entries are Championship and cup ties, and four of the last five listed finished 1-0 or 2-0 to one side. That points to low scoring, which is consistent with a tight game.

The widest gap is in possession.

Fulham one, and on whether the home side avoid conceding in the opening 15 minutes

Fulham have started in a 4-2-3-1 in all six league games, where Robinson is a doubt, and in midfield, where Cairney is also questionable.

Fulham: Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Reed; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Bobb; Muniz

Hull City: Tzolakis; Norton-Cuffy, Egan, Ajayi, Mendy, Coyle; Slater, Iroegbunam, Morita, Ömür; McBurnie

Kick-off at Craven Cottage is at 15:00 BST on Saturday 17 October. The match is not shown live on TV or streaming in the UK because it falls inside the Saturday 3pm blackout. Highlights will be on Match of the Day, and our live blog will follow the action.