Many people expected to see Mick McCarthy given his marching orders after Cardiff City's 3-0 defeat to Swansea City in the South Wales derby on Sunday but he remains in charge ahead of tonight's game against Fulham.

The Bluebirds have lost six in a row in the Championship – scoring just once and conceding 15 times – and now find themselves teetering just above the relegation zone.

As if things couldn't get any worse, they now travel to Craven Cottage to face a Fulham side high in confidence after their 4-1 west London derby win on Saturday.

No side has scored more goals at home this season than the Cottagers, so it looks set to be a difficult evening for Cardiff.

With that in mind, we've highlighted the XI that we believe McCarthy will name for the trip to the English capital...

It's not been an easy time to be Cardiff's number one as of late but Alex Smithies looks likely to retain the jersey for the game this evening.

There may, however, be a change in front of him with McCarthy expected to move away from the back 3/5 that contributed to Sunday's disastrous display.

A back four of Joel Bagan, Aden Flint, Sean Morrison, and Perry Ng could well start, with Tom Sang still missing due to injury.

Marlon Pack and Joe Ralls look to have their work cut out for them in holding midfield against Fulham given the quality of the options available to Silva in that area.

Assuming Leandro Bacuna recovers from the knock he suffered against Swansea on Sunday, he is likely to play in the centre of the attacking midfield three with Ryan Giles and Rubin Colwill on either side.

Kieffer Moore was starved of service against the Swans but will know that he'll need to make the most of any chances that come his way tonight if Cardiff are to end their long losing run.