Fulham remain in the hunt for an automatic promotion spot, with Slavisa Jokanovic’s side lying just seven points from second-place Aston Villa.

The Cottagers have an excellent opportunity to close the gap on the top two this weekend when they welcome Steve Bruce’s Villains to Craven Cottage, with victory guaranteed to close the gap on the automatic spots regardless of other results.

Jokanovic’s side have been in excellent form as of late, having endured a difficult start to the season which saw them languish in mid-table for much of the campaign.

The addition of Fulham defender Matt Targett in January provided the squad with a much-needed boost ahead of the second half of the campaign, with the 22-year-old well aware of the importance of Saturday’s clash.

“We’ve got a lot of catching up to do with them” he told the club’s official website. “They’re seven points ahead of us, so I think it’s a more important game for us than it is for them, and we need to win it.

“It would be a massive statement.”

The Verdict

Saturday’s clash at Craven Cottage could prove to be the defining moment in each of these side’s seasons.

A win for Villa would consolidate their spot as the second best side in the division, but defeat would leave the door open for the likes of Derby County to sneak past Bruce’s men and back into the automatic spots.

A win for Fulham would keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive, but defeat could leave their place in the top six up for grabs, with Preston and Sheffield United breathing down their necks.

The table is extremely tight, and this game is huge for both sides.

Fulham fans, let us know your thoughts!