Last year, this was an important six-pointer as both teams desperately scrapped for survival in the Championship.

This year they are both still in the league and looking upwards rather than aiming to stay up.

Bristol City have recruited wisely this summer - not spending a great amount but securing a mixture of youthful prospects and experienced campaigners; homegrown talent and overseas gambles.

Fulham, on the other hand, are also shaping up nicely.

The Cottagers shocked Newcastle on the opening day with a 1-0 victory and have been fairly solid since then.

They sit ninth in the table as they host twelfth-placed Bristol City at Craven Cottage this Saturday.

The pre-cursor for the game came in midweek as the exact same fixture was played out in the EFL Cup.

Fulham took the lead through Lucas Piazon but a Wilbraham equaliser just before half time and an injury-time Tammy Abraham winner secured progression for the away side.

Bristol City will be looking for a double triumph over the West London outfit when they revisit Craven Cottage this Saturday, and if Lee Johnson puts out this XI, they should win the match...

 

GK: Ivan Lucic

Since joining from Bayern Munich this summer, Ivan Lucic had to wait until the midweek EFL clash with Fulham for his debut.

What a debut it was.

The 21-year-old saved a penalty and had a solid all-round game for the Robins as they ensured progression to the next round with a 2-1 win.

Neither Frank Fielding nor Richard O'Donnell have cemented a first team spot, so why not give the Austrian a chance to replicate his heroics from midweek.

 

RB: Adam Matthews

Adam Matthews returned from injury for the EFL Cup match against Fulham and played 45 minutes before being taken off by Lee Johnson as a precaution.

Perhaps that means that Johnson is saving the Wales international for a weekend start.

The 24-year-old Sunderland loanee is an attacking option from right back as well as being defensively solid.

CB: Aden Flint

Tall towering centre back Aden Flint might have been at fault for Ikechi Anya's goal last weekend, but his reliable and consistent displays at the heart of defence over the past couple of years have won over the Bristol City fans.

The 27-year-old is a 6'6'' natural leader who is a goal threat from set pieces too.

CB: Hordur Magnusson

After ripping off his toenail and missing the midweek clash with Fulham, there are still doubts over Magnusson's availability for Saturday. However if the 23-year-old is fit to play, he needs to start. The Iceland international has proved to be a revelation since his summer switch from Juventus, settling right in to the English style of play with assured performances at the back.

 

LB: Mark Little

Other left back options are scarce so Mark Little will probably start this weekend.

Joel Ekstrand is still getting full match fitness, Scott Golbourne has mainly been used as a substitute and Joe Bryan limped off injured last weekend against Derby.

28-year-old Little is more naturally a right back but is versatile enough to operate on the opposite side.

CM: Bobby Reid

Bobby Reid should provide a goal threat from central midfield in this formation.

The diminutive 23-year-old has enjoyed a successful start to this season, netting three times already.

The Bristol City academy product is finally starting to prove some of the potential that he has shown for a while, and deserves a run in the first team to nail down his spot.

CM: Marlon Pack

Marlon Pack is a naturally deep-lying effective central midfielder who works well in this formation.

He has been a mainstay in Lee Johnson's sides and should continue in this role at the weekend.

The 25-year-old now has plenty of experience at this level and will look to be a big part of the Robins' midfield as they aim for a successful year.

CM: Gary O'Neil

Gary O'Neil is back from suspension and could return to a starting role for the first time since he was sent off against Sheffield Wednesday.

The 33-year-old has bags of experience in both of the top two tiers of English football and does a very effective job in whatever midfield role you give him.

The former Middlesbrough, West Ham and QPR man poses both an attacking threat and a solid defensive base in the middle of the park.

RW: Lee Tomlin

Lee Tomlin is a potent attacking threat from midfield with the ability to create chances out of nothing and score goals himself.

The 27-year-old made his stay at Ashton Gate permanent this summer, after an impressive loan spell last term and will look to kick on by providing the service and goals for Lee Johnson's men.

LW: Jamie Paterson

Jamie Paterson is a very naturally talented winger or striker with an eye for goal.

If the 24-year-old can apply himself, then he is a very capable Championship-level player.

The former Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield want was hot property this summer but moved to Bristol City and expects regular game time.

He has the ability to make something happen out of nothing; he just needs the consistency!

CF: Tammy Abraham

Who else? The Chelsea loanee has been one of the unexpected stars in the league so far as he has been prolific in front of goal for Lee Johnson's men.

The 18-year-old has struck nine goals already this year for the Robins, including 6 in the Championship - making him the joint top scorer in the second tier.

The 6'5'' England under-19 international has a bright future ahead of him if he can keep firing in the goals for Bristol City.