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Stefan Johansen, a longtime Fulham favourite, will make his first appearance since joining rivals QPR on a permanent deal in the summer.
The return of the former Cottager has been greeted with enthusiasm by manager Marco Silva, who, although never having managed him, has high regard for his abilities.
“I definitely believe he’s a quality player – and when you’re a quality player, you try to express yourself on the pitch, and Stefan will surely do that in the game,” he told West London Sport.
The return of Johansen has sparked speculation that he will be out to prove himself to his previous employers, which Silva quickly dismissed: “Do you have something to prove?” This is not how I see it.
“I understand why he took this decision (to leave), and he was honest with me about his future plans.”
Fulham host QPR at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, knowing that a win would cut the gap between them and the top two to just two points.
The Final Statement
Johansen has been a key player for Fulham in previous seasons, and he will aim to lead QPR to three points on Saturday.
With his experience, he will be an important player in the West London derby, and limiting his ability to dictate a game will only help Fulham win.
To prevent the ball from reaching Chair and Willock, Fulham must first neutralise QPR’s midfield, and the most effective way to do so is to ensure Johansen sees as little of the ball as possible.
