Fulham take a break from Premier League duty on August 27 as the Cottagers play host to Bristol City in the EFL Cup Second Round.
Marco Silva has enjoyed a solid start to the new 2025/26 season with back-to-back draws away at Brighton & Hove Albion and at home to Manchester United.
Both games featured late equalisers from Silva's substitutes, as Rodrigo Muniz snatched a point at the AMEX Stadium, and Emile Smith-Rowe denied Ruben Amorim victory at Craven Cottage over the weekend.
Silva has enjoyed a run to the EFL Cup semifinals in 2023/24, either side of two Third Round exits, during his four seasons in charge.
Bristol City are unbeaten in their first three games of the EFL Championship season under new boss Gerhard Struber and they knocked out MK Dons in the previous round.
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Fulham vs. Bristol City lineups: Starting XI, team news, injury latest
The key question focuses on how much rotation Silva is planning, and based on previous cup campaigns, the starting XI will be very different from the team which drew with United.
Smith-Rowe could be given a chance from the start, alongside Harry Wilson, Raul Jimenez, Harrison Reed and club captain Tom Cairney.
With left-back pair Antonee Robinson and Ryan Sessegnon both struggling with injuries, Silva is unlikely to take a risk, and Timothy Castasgne can cover.
Fulham starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Leno (GK) — Tete, Andersen, Cuenca, Castagne — Reed, Cairney — Wilson, Smith-Rowe, King — Jimenez.
Injured: Sessegnon (other), Robinson (knee).
Suspended: None
Bristol City drew 1-1 away at Derby County at the weekend and Struber has not confirmed any fresh injury updates from that game.
Luke McNally, Joe Williams, Max O'Leary and Cameron Pring all remain sidelined but the visitors could make a few tweaks to give some squad players a chance to impress.
Max Bird and Sinclair Armstrong have come off the bench in the last two league games and could be drafted into the starting XI.
Bristol City starting XI (3-4-3, right to left): Lumley (GK) — Vyner, Dickie, Tanner — Sykes, Knight, Bird, McCrorie — Twine, Armstrong, Mehmeti.
Injured: Pring (ankle), McNally (calf), Williams (ankle). O'Leary (ankle).
Suspended: None.
Fulham vs. Bristol City match details
- Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
- Kickoff time: 7:45 p.m. local / 2:45 p.m. ET / 11:45 a.m. PT / 4:45 a.m. AEST (August 28)
- Location: Craven Cottage, London
- Competition: EFL Cup
- Referee: - Lewis Smith