Derby v Fulham

If you've read our overall preview for the Championship Play-Offs, you won't be surprised to learn that we're siding with Fulham in this one.

While Derby County have won just six times in 2018, Fulham have already got a whopping 16 under their belt in the same time. Derby's wins in that time have included beating Birmingham, Bolton and Barnsley - each of whom finished in the bottom six. To tell a fair story, we should also note that the other three came against Cardiff, Brentford and Preston.

Fulham however have been astonising. Among their 16 wins, came victories over Wolves, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Derby and Millwall, and since Christmas away wins at Boro, Derby, Cardiff and Millwall - each of whom finished insude the top eight. If there first half of the season form had yielded the same points totals as the second half, they would have ended the season on 112 points!

Any doubts following th 3-1 defeat at Birmingham should be cast aside easily. Fulham will have re-grouped, and that will surely act as incredible motivation to battle for everything in this one and ensure it becomes an irrelevant set-back.

Gary Rowett is a fine manager - of that there is no doubt - but he must be doubting himself having thrown away a tremendous start to 2017/18, with the side happily in an automatic promotion slot at the turn of the year, while Stanislav Jokanovic is now highly knowledgable in this company, having spent the majoirty of the last four years in the Championship.

1pt Fulham to beat Derby at 6/4

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