Cardiff City v Fulham: Sky Bet Championship preview, predictions and free tip

TV: Sky Sports Main Event/Football, 7.45pm Friday

Fulham chalked up just five away points last season but they are looking far more effective on their travels this time around and can make it six points from nine on the road by defeating Cardiff.

There was a lot of criticism of the Cottagers' transfer dealings last summer and much of it was justified.

However, they learned from their mistakes and had a more targeted strategy this summer, bringing in players with a proven track record in the Sky Bet Championship.

Ivan Cavaleiro, Harry Arter and Anthony Knockaert have slotted seamlessly into the starting line-up and taken some of the burden off star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has signed a new five-year contract.

Fulham still have room to improve and they need to learn the lessons of Saturday's 2-1 loss at home to Nottingham Forest, when they were picked off by clinical opponents.

But they are dominating their matches – they harvested 77 per cent possession against Forest – and are likely to get better as they take more care of the finer details.

Cardiff's promotion credentials look far less convincing.

Keeping Neil Warnock, a manager who knows the division inside out, was a boost but the Bluebirds have not done enough to enhance the quality or depth of their squad.

They still lack genuine quality at the sharp end and Warnock is short of numbers in midfield after failing to replace departed duo Aron Gunnarsson and Victor Camarasa.

Marlon Pack has been sidelined with a hamstring injury and Warnock has spoken this week about poring over a list of 15 free-agent midfielders with the aim of adding much-needed reinforcements to a key area.

The imbalance in the squad has contributed to some poor results with Cardiff sliding to disappointing August defeats away to Wigan and Reading.

Warnock's side have taken six points from six at home but Fulham are stronger than Cardiff's previous visitors, Luton and Huddersfield, and look excellent value with the draw no bet.

Recommendation
Fulham draw no bet
2pts 5-6 bet365, BoyleSports

Team news
Cardiff
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (hamstring) is unlikely to be risked until after the international break and Neil Etheridge, Marlon Pack (both hamstring), Matt Connolly (ankle) and Danny Ward (Achilles) are ruled out.

Fulham
Tottenham loanee Josh Onomah is pushing for inclusion after making his Fulham debut in Tuesday's 1-0 loss at home to Southampton in the EFL Cup second round.

Key stat
Cardiff have failed to score in three of their last four matches.

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