Wednesday v Fulham: five key battles

Fulham will be looking for a third consecutive league win when they take on Sheffield Wednesday this weekend. Here are five potential battles we think could be vital to their chances at Hillsborough.

Ross McCormack v Tom Lees
Fulham’s top scorer has four goals in his last three games. Lees, an ex-Leeds centre-back who has played every minute for Wednesday this season, might have his hands full.

Jamie O’Hara v Fernando Forestieri
O’Hara has made a fine start to his Fulham career and is likely to have a key role for them in this game. Italian forward Forestrieri, who helped Watford win promotion last season, likes drop deep and can cause problems if he isn’t picked up.

Tom Cairney v Daniel Pudil
Summer signing Cairney has been a spark down the right for Fulham and is likely to come up against another of last season’s Watford side in Pudil, who is on a season-long loan at Hillsborough. Pudil likes to get forward, so Cairney could exploit any space left in behind.

Jazz Richards v Barry Bannan 
Another of Wednesday’s late additions was Scotland midfielder Bannan, formerly of Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. Richards was caused major problems by Blackburn’s Craig Conway, whose left-wing deliveries worried the Whites. Richards will hope to do better against Bannan, who also has a useful left foot.

Ryan Tunnicliffe v Lewis McGugan
The suspended Hutchinson has played an important defensive role in midfield for Wednesday so far this season and they could miss the former Chelsea man. Tunnicliffe might therefore have some joy as he looks to provide support for forwards Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele.