Newly promoted sides Fulham and Leeds United meet by the Thames on Friday evening, with Craven Cottage hosting the final Premier League assignment for both before the international break.

The two sides met earlier on this season at Elland Road and with goals from Mateusz Klich, Patrick Bamford and a brace from Helder Costa giving The Whites their first three points of the season. 

Fulham did nearly complete a comeback, as goals from Bobby Decordova-Reid and Aleksandar Mitrovic gave Leeds a late scare, but they held on for victory in a thrilling 4-3 encounter.

Fulham

Scott Parker's side have been in fine form of late, picking up eight points from a possible eighteen, and even beating the reigning champions Liverpool at Anfield in that run.

With the London curse laying over the shoulders of Leeds, Fulham will be licking their lips and hoping to taste sweet revenge after falling to a 4-3 defeat in West Yorkshire back in September.

Fulham started the season using their same style of free-flowing, possession-based football under Parker from the campaign prior in the Championship, using a 4-2-3-1 formation, but after struggling to find form they have changed to a more structured, practical system, lining up in a 4-4-1-1 formation or at times playing a 4-4-2 giving Fulham more defensive stability of late.

The loan signing of Josh Maja from French side Bordeaux in the January transfer window has proved shrewd business from the Cottagers; he's scored two goals in seven appearances. 

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Team news

The Cottagers have a few players out injured for this contest. Last season's star man and skipper Tom Cairney is out after he sustained a knee injury earlier on this season. 

Fulham will also be without the man who scored in the reverse fixture in Decordova-Reid after picking up a knock, and with the form he has been in this season that will be a massive blow for Parker's side.

Predicted line up

Fulham are predicted to go back to a 4-3-2-1 formation to bring the game to the visitors.

It will more than likely be limited changes from Parker but it is predicted he will bring Maja back into the starting eleven for the mobility he brings upfront who. He could replace Ruben Loftus-Cheek after a disappointing performance against league leaders Manchester City.

Areola; Tete, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Aina; Anguissa, Reed, Lemina; Cavaleiro, Maja, Lookman.

Leeds United

The Whites will be looking to lift the London curse once and for all at Craven Cottage on Friday evening. It will be 17th time lucky for Marcelo Bielsa's men in the capital if they manage to beat Parker's Fulham.

Leeds have hit a run of bad form recently with only one win and a draw in the last six and with their dreaded April schedule just around the corner, Bielsa will see this as a must-win for the Whites. 

Leeds have still played well in this run but have just found themselves on the wrong side of tightly contested games as of late, so Bielsa's men will be out to make amends for that on Friday night. 

The Whites will be thanking their lucky stars after finding out that Bamford only had a dead quad from the Chelsea game and will be ready for the trip down south.

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Team news

Leeds still have a hefty injury list with four senior players out injured. Leif Davis will be out after sustaining a knock in training during the week. Adam Forshaw returned to light training this week but is still to not have kicked the ball for the first team in over a year; he should be back by the end of the season.

Leeds will still be without 'Magic Man' Pablo Hernandez after he's sustained another muscle injury and is doubtful for the tie at Craven Cottage. 

Lastly Rodrigo Moreno will be touch and go for the clash against Fulham after quad strain he picked up in the draw against Chelsea but he will have a fitness test Friday morning.

Predicted line up

The only change that could be likely for Leeds is the return of Jack Harrison to the starting eleven after being given a rest the last few weeks but performing well from the bench. This could see Raphinha switch to his more lethal side on the right with Harrison going back on the left hand side.

Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Alioski; Raphina, Phillips, Dallas, Harrison; Roberts; Bamford.

Ones to watch

The ones to watch in this contest will definitely be the fight on the right-hand side for Leeds: Raphinha vs Ola Aina.

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Leeds' danger man this season, if Raphinha is to get the beating of Aina too many times in this game then it could be over before it's started. The Brazilian who has had ten goal involvements this season from 20 starts.

How to watch

You can watch Fulham vs Leeds United live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 19:30 GMT.

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