Fulham play-off charge showing no signs of slowing down; Leeds match crucial

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The Whites have maintained their pressure on sixth place and a result against Leeds on Tuesday could help them believe.

Fulham’s Jesse Joronen gathers the ball

Fulham remain one of the outside bets for the playoffs, five points, but with a game in hand on that last spot in the top six; Sheffield Wednesday. However, with a fixture against Leeds United – just above them in fourth – coming on Tuesday, the Cottagers could yet ignite a late season run with victory.

While Sheffield Wednesday made a big statement about their play-off intentions by thrashing top six rivals Norwich City 5-1, Fulham made one of their own with their 3-1 win over fellow play-off hopefuls Preston North End.

Goals from Sone Aluko, Chris Martin and Neeskens Kebano put a spirited PNE to the sword at Craven Cottage, and all but ended their faint play-off hopes in the process.

Fulham’s campaign for the top six meanwhile, is still very much on, with Slavisa Jokanovic’s side just five points behind Wednesday, with that crucial game in hand at home to Blackburn Rovers still to play.

But for a clinical striker, and Jokanovic’s Fulham could well be challenging the top two – let alone the top six – with the Whites winning many plaudits for their sublime style of play under the former Watford boss.

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic

Jokanovic’s side pass the ball extremely well and create chances galore, while still remaining fairly solid at the back, and news that the Serbian manager has signed a new deal lasting until 2019 has been tremendously received at Craven Cottage.

Fulham’s next two games pose the biggest threat to their play-off hopes – a home match against fourth placed Leeds United followed by a trip to table toppers Newcastle United – but they are capable of picking up points in both games, which fans will hope set them off on a determined chase down of the sides above them.

In particular, the game against Leeds would see Fulham move within five points of the Yorkshire team, with a game in hand. It’s fair to say it is a big game at Craven Cottage.