Fulham will be looking to ensure they change division for a fifth season in a row during the 2021/22 campaign.

Following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season, the Cottagers will be looking to bounce back quickly with promotion back to the top-flight of English football in the coming year.

Now, Fulham know the task that will be facing them as they look to do that, following the release of the fixtures for the new campaign earlier this week.

For Fulham, that is a challenge that will begin with the visit of Middlesbrough to Craven Cottage in the first weekend of August.

With the transfer yet to get into full flow, and uncertainty hanging over just who will be in the dugout at Craven Cottage come the start of the season, there is still much to be decided with regards to just how Fulham might lineup going into the new season.

Here though, we've taken an early look at the starting lineup Fulham could open the season with against 'Boro.

With Alphonse Areola's loan from PSG now expired, and a decision over a new contract for Marcus Bettinelli yet to be announced, the goalkeeping position is one that could see a bit of change at Fulham this summer.

One option in this position who remains under contract at Craven Cottage though, is Marek Rodak, who will be looking to reclaim the number one spot next season, having dropped behind Areola in the pecking order during the previous campaign.

Having played an important role in Fulham's promotion the last time they were at this level, it may not be a huge surprise if Rodak is given the chance to make this position his own at the start of next season.

Despite being Fulham's play-off final hero the last time they won promotion to the Premier League, Joe Bryan struggled for opportunities in the top-flight last season.

Bryan started just seven league games during the 2020/21 campaign, but could get an opportunity to enjoy a more regular run in the Cottagers' starting lineup this time around, as he approaches a century of appearances in Fulham colours.

That would at least in part be down to the fact that Antonee Robinson has reportedly emerged as transfer target for Manchester City this summer, and a move to the Etihad for the American, could give Bryan the chance to make that position his own again this summer.

With Joachim Andersen's loan from Lyon over, and Tosin Adarabioyo seemingly attracting interest from the Premier League, it does seem as though centre back is another position that could look rather different for Fulham next season.

One long serving Fulham player who that could open up a fresh opportunity for is Tim Ream, who has over 200 Fulham appearances to his name, but struggled for game time in the Premier League last season.

That experience that Ream possesses, not least in terms of winning promotion from the Championship with the Cottagers, could potentially be useful for Fulham as they aim for another swift return to the top-flight.

One new face Fulham could bring in for the start of next season to reinforce the centre of their defence, is Kean Bryan.

The Cottagers are one of several clubs who are said to be interested in the 24-year-old, who is set to be a free agent in the next few days when his contract with Fulham's fellow Premier League relegation sufferers Sheffield United is set to expire, despite the Blades offering him a new deal.

Bryan was one of Sheffield United's stronger performers in a dismal campaign for the Blades last season, suggesting that he could be a reliable option for Fulham in the Championship, and you wonder whether his youth could blend well with the experience of Ream.

One position that Fulham do already seem to have a number of options in heading into the window, and potentially the new season, is right-back.

The Cottagers pulled off something of an eye-catching signing last summer with the arrival of Kenny Tete from French giants Lyon, although the 25-year-old didn't quite live up to full expectations last season.

But with Ola Aina's loan from Torino now over, and three more years remaining on his contract at Craven Cottage, the start of the new season could provide another opportunity for Tete to make his mark for Fulham, which you would expect him to be able to do at Championship level.

One player whose future Fulham have seemingly been handed a boost with regards to recently, is Harrison Reed.

Having stood out in the Premier League last season after making a loan move to Craven Cottage permanent the previous summer, it was reported earlier this year that Leeds are interested in the midfielder, although suggestions of that interest have subsequently been dismissed.

Given the quality that Reed has shown both in the Premier League and Championship, it will be a big lift for Fulham if they are able to retain his services for the new campaign, so it would be no surprise to see him start the season in the centre of the park for the Cottagers if he is still at Craven Cottage at that point.

With Kevin McDonald now released and reports from Italy claiming that Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is a target for Napoli, the question of who might start the season alongside Reed for Fulham could be an interesting one.

Indeed, you wonder whether that could open the door for Stefan Johansen to force his way back into the Fulham side, having once again demonstrated his ability at Championship level on loan at QPR during the second-half of last season.

QPR are said to be keen to re-sign Johansen permanently, but you wonder whether that situation in midfield mean Fulham may want to keep the Norwegian around at Craven Cottage, for the start of the season at least.

Further forward, one player who it could be argued may have something of a point to prove this season, is Ivan Cavaleiro.

The Portuguese attacker could only manage three goals in the Premier League last season despite some promising showings, in comparison to his six goals and seven assists in the Championship the season before.

That return at second-tier is something that Fulham may well be keen to take advantage of during the coming campaign, and with three years remaining on his contract at Craven Cottage, the club are in a strong position to retain Cavaleiro's services for next season at least.

Having missed a huge chunk of last season due to injury, Tom Cairney will no doubt be relishing getting back to action when the new campaign starts, and Fulham will likely be desperate to get him back as well.

The proven attacking quality that Cairney provides from midfield, not to mention his leadership abilities as the club captain, will both have been sorely missed by the Cottagers, and it will undoubtedly be a boost for them to have him available again.

West Ham have been credited with an interest in the 30-year-old, but Fulham will no doubt be keen to keep him, and with three years remaining on Cairney's current contract, the Cottagers are in a strong position to do that.

Another player who may well be being touted for an important role by Fulham ahead of the new season, is Bobby Decordova-Reid.

Despite only scoring five league goals last season, Decordova-Reid was still the club's top scorer in the Premier League during the campaign, and you would imagine that Fulham will want to exploit that attacking threat in the coming campaign.

Indeed, Decordova-Reid has also shown his eye for goal in the Championship in the past, and you feel his experience and ability to drive forward at that level has the potential to make him a useful asset for Fulham next season.

Upfront, the big question for Fulham could be how they replace Aleksandar Mitrovic, with the striker reportedly keen to leave Craven Cottage this summer, amid reported interest from the likes of Italian giants Roma.

Should the Serbian move on in the coming weeks, then a potential candidate to fill his boots leading the line is Taiwo Awoniyi, with Fulham one of a number of clubs who have recently been credited with an interest in the Liverpool forward, who it is thought could be available for £8million this summer.

Last season, Awoniyi scored five goals and provided two assists in 22 games on loan with Union Berlin, helping the Bundesliga club secure qualification for the new UEFA Conference League, meaning he is a player who could be capable of making an impact in the Championship for the Cottagers.