Preston vs Fulham preview: Prediction, live, TV schedule, team news and betting odds

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Tom Doyle11 August 2016

Fuham head to Preston full of confidence on Saturday after overcoming one of the favourites for the Championship title on the opening day of the season.

Matt Smith's first-half header was enough to hand Fulham a 1-0 win in their season opener against Newcastle United at Craven Cottage on Friday.

The forward headed home Tom Cairney's corner kick on the stroke of half-time to ensure Fulham secured a big win over Rafa Benitez's Magpies, who expected to win the title this term.

Fulham entered the season cautious not to raise fans' expectations too high following a difficult summer, but another win on Saturday - and the potential arrival of a new striker - may well set the Cottagers up with the belief for a crack at promotion back to the Premier League.

Date, time and venue

Preston host Fulham at Deepdale on Saturday, 13 August. Kick-off is at 3:00PM.

Where and when to watch

The game will not be shown live on TV, but you can keep up to date with all the action on Standard Sport's live matchday blog on Saturday from 2:00PM.

Getty Images

Form guide

Fulham kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 victory against Newcastle, showing strength in defence as well as speed on the counter.

Opponents Preston lost their opening fixture at Reading as former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam guides the Royals to a win in his first competitive match at the Madejski Stadium.

Team news

Jokanovic must decide whether to stick with David Button after the goalkeeper's clean sheet against Newcastle, or restore No.1 Marcus Bettnelli to his starting XI.

Apart from long-term absentee right-back Ryan Fredericks, the rest of Jokanovic's squad is fully fit.

Fulham possible XI: Button, Odoi, Kalas, Madl, Malone, Cairney, Tunnicliffe, McDonald, Ayite, Aluko, Smith

What they're saying

Slavisa Jokanovic: "I don't want to bring in more young players at the moment, I am looking for senior players," he said.

"I need strikers and we are looking at the market. I need a bigger senior squad and I hope to sign someone very, very soon.

"The young players showed me quality and character and I'll use them in the future, although it depends on them, although they can be important for the future but they need time."

Prediction

Betting odds (888Sport)

Preston win: 7/6

Fulham win: 13/5

Draw: 23/10

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