Fulham v Wolves predictions: Aleksandar Mitrovic may make his mark

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Fulham v Wolves in the Premier League on Friday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 8pm Friday

Best bet

A Mitrovic to score at anytime
1pt 12-5 Betfred

Team news

Fulham
Tom Cairney, Kevin McDonald and Alfie Mawson remain unavailable while Marek Rodak is also expected to be out and Ademola Lookman is a doubt.

Wolves
Willy Boly is self-isolating while Jonny, Raul Jimenez and Fernando Marcal are all out. There is uncertainty over Joao Moutinho's involvement.

Match preview

Two sides in the lower reaches of the Premier League form table meet when Fulham welcome Wolves to Craven Cottage this week and it is difficult to make a case for either side winning the contest.

While Fulham have somewhat stabilised in the league since the turn of the year, they have struggled recently with four defeats in their last five matches.

Their shock win against Liverpool last month remains their only victory in their previous six assignments and their home performances have been particularly shaky. Scott Parker's men have lost their last three at the Cottage 6-1 on aggregate.

As for Wolves, they have lacked a cutting edge in the final third this season, largely due to the absence of injured striker Raul Jimenez and loss of the dynamic Diogo Jota last summer.

Only four teams have netted fewer Premier League goals than Nuno Santo's men - 30 goals in 30 games this campaign - and their lack of attacking quality was evident in the 3-2 defeat to West Ham last time out.

Having gone 3-0 down after 38 minutes, Wolves managed to find the net twice but could not score a killer third goal, failing to make the most of 20 shots and 67 per cent possession.

That bluntness has held them back and is ultimately the reason they find themselves only nine points ahead of the relegation zone with eight matches remaining this term.

And it is also why they are not worth backing at 11-5 to take maximum points against Fulham.

But, while neither side makes great appeal in the match result market, Fulham have the greater incentive to win this game given that a win would move them temporarily out of the drop zone on goal difference, at least until Newcastle face Burnley on Sunday.

And it could pay to back one of their players to get on the scoresheet.

If Aleksandar Mitrovic has proved anything this season it is that he is not a prolific Premier League goalscorer, but the 26-year-old impressed for Serbia during the recent international break.

Mitrovic bagged five goals in three matches against Ireland, Portugal and Azerbaijan and followed that with Fulham's only goal in a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa last time out.

His aerial threat could cause Wolves plenty of problems and now he is regularly in contention with Josh Maja for a starting spot, there is plenty of reason for him to push to get on the scoresheet.

Key stat

Wolves have kept one clean sheet in their last five fixtures.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport