The lowdown on Sheffield United's Premier League trip to Fulham

Chris Wilder’s side visit Craven Cottage at the bottom of the table and with one foot already in the Championship. A defeat, or even a draw, would surely mark the end of their already faint survival hopes. The hosts, meanwhile, are also in the relegation zone and battling for survival only a season after being promoted.

The Star’s James Shield identifies some of the major figures set to be involved in west London and analyses the facts and figures surrounding the game.

The Teams: Fulham - Areola, Tete, Adarbioyo, Aina, Anderson, Lemina, Loftus-Cheek, Maja, Reed, Lookman, Decordova-Reid. United - Ramsdale, Basham, Jagielka, Ampadu, Bogle, Stevens, Norwood, Osborn, Lundstram, McGoldrick, Burke.

The Referee: Martin Atkinson takes charge while Peter Bankes is the VAR. Atkinson averages 2.5 cautions per game this term but issued no yellow cards when he last oversaw United, during their 1-0 defeat by West Ham in November. However he booked four players, including three from Fulham, when he officiated Fulham’s loss to Manchester United two months later.

The Form Guide: Fulham are unbeaten in their last four games against United, winning three of those and scoring 12 goals in the process. Wilder’s employers last beat Fulham in 2014, during their march towards the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Their last league win at Craven Cottage came 29 years earlier, although they had faced the Londoners there only four times in the intervening period.

The Last Time Out: Ademola Lookman and Billy Sharp were both on target during a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane in October. The visitors went in front before United equalised from the penalty spot. Aleksandar Mitrovic had earlier missed one for Fulham.

The History Lesson: Despite their poor recent record against Fulham, United come out top in the overall head to head. They have won 30 of their previous 58 meetings, compared to Fulham’s total of 22. Sixteen have ended all square.

The Details: Fulham versus United, kick-off 8pm. Pre, in-game and post-match coverage is available via The Star.

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