On the back of one win in six matches, which came by a 1-0 scoreline after extra time in the FA Cup, describing Fulham’s attack as goal-shy would have been an understatement.
The turnaround in form has barely been believable, Marco Silva’s team netting 19 times in three Championship fixtures against Reading, Bristol City and Birmingham City.
The Portuguese will be disappointed with four strikes being shipped in the latter of those fixtures, but it is arguably irrelevant given the output of the front four.
Perhaps the most impressive factor of their 6-2 win over Blues was neither Harry Wilson or Aleksandar Mitrovic got on the scoresheet, youngster Fabio Carvalho instead taking centre stage with a double.
While Silva will insist that there is a long way to go, Fulham are now playing with a swagger which does not look like disappearing anytime soon, something which will naturally concern an inconsistent Stoke side.
Michael O’Neill has been left frustrated with his team’s results this season, a run of four defeats in six matches seeing Stoke move outside of the playoffs.
Links => Stream 1 HD | stream 2 HD | Stream 3 HD
However, the Potters were deserved 2-0 winners at Hull City last weekend, their goals coming from Jacob Brown and a rejuvenated Tom Ince.
With an array of fresh faces moving to the bet365 Stadium, there is now a different feel to this squad, and each of the new arrivals will want to impress in a game of this magnitude.
Stoke have gone 11 matches without conceding more than two goals in a match, a streak which will surely come under threat on Saturday
