Cardiff City vs Fulham. Premier League.
Cardiff City StadiumAttendance29,681.
Saturday 20 October 2018 18:57, UK
Cardiff go in search of their first Premier League victory of the season on Saturday as Fulham visit south Wales.
Neil Warnock's men are one of three teams without a league win this season, along with Huddersfield and Newcastle. If Cardiff fail to win on Saturday then it would be their worst-ever start to league season after nine games.
Finding stability at the back has been a problem for Warnock's side since stepping up from the Championship. They've conceded 17 Premier League goals this season - only Fulham (21) have conceded more.
The pressure is slowly rising on manager Slavisa Jokanovic, who oversaw a summer net spend of £105m.
However, Jokanovic has played down the significance of Saturday's fixture.
Even though Jokanovic's inconsistent team can secure three vital points and finally build some momentum amid speculation surrounding his future, he said: "After this is 29 games more. The end of the game is not the end of the Premier League.
"If we win, a long period is ahead and we will find more tough afternoons. If we lose, it's the same - there are 29 more."
Fulham skipper Tom Cairney is nearing a return but won't be ready for this weekend.
Cairney's ankle problem flared up in the defeat to Everton and he won't be risked while Joe Bryan is remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
However, Timothy Fosu-Mensah could be back in the fold despite dislocating his shoulder last month.
Meanwhile for Cardiff, Aaron Gunnarsson is in line for a return from his knee injury but Warnock's men will be without the suspended Joe Ralls after his red card against Tottenham.
This is a must-win game for Cardiff. If they don't win this game I think they will really struggle to beat the drop. I know people will say there are 29 games left but for me, it will be difficult for Cardiff to turn things around.
Fulham also need a result but they are away from home and the pressure will be firmly on Cardiff, who haven't won a game all season. I know Fulham went to Cardiff last year in the Championship and won but I think Cardiff could bully them this time around. They'll cause Fulham, who are a bit flimsy at times, problems at the back and that's why I'm backing a home win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (17/2 with Sky Bet)