PREM: Huddersfield v Fulham preview

Huddersfield v Fulham preview

David Wagner will hope to lead Huddersfield Town to their first Premier League win of the season when they host Fulham on Monday night

Wagner's men are bottom of the Premier League having failed to win any of their first 10 games this season.

They host a Fulham outfit who are two places above them with two more points, and who have lost each of their last four league matches, plus Thursday's Carabao Cup tie at Manchester City.

And Wagner, who expects a fervent atmosphere inside the stadium on Monday, wants a reaction from his players against the Cottagers.

 

"We need to defend better than we did against Watford and attack like we have done in the past," he said. "I've told my players to show a reaction on Monday.

 

"For us, it's important that we are at our best. If we are on our best, we have the chance to be successful. At home, with our supporters, we have to have an atmosphere that this game deserves; it's an important game."

In contrast, Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic does not believe the clash with their fellow strugglers will define his side's hopes for the rest of the campaign.

 

"It's a really important game for us, it's a really important game for Huddersfield too," he said. "It's an early six-pointer at the beginning of November. After the game, it's not going to be done for either team.

"There are some teams who are a few points in front of us and we are fighting to be competitive and to catch them and to put them under some kind of pressure. I don't believe we are going to be safe in November or December or January; at the same time I don't believe anybody will win the Premier League in this time either."

 

Terence Kongolo is among the players who could return for Huddersfield.

Wagner has said it looks as if the only man in his squad not in contention for Monday's contest is midfielder Danny Williams (knee).

 

Kongolo (hamstring) and Tommy Smith (knee), both missing for the last three games, have been back in training, as have Rajiv van La Parra and Abdelhamid Sabiri after illness.

Fulham midfielder Kevin McDonald is back in contention after he missed the defeat to Manchester City due to suspension after being sent off against Bournemouth last weekend.

Defender Joe Bryan remains unavailable because of a hamstring injury.