This is a big match. Bigger than you would expect and early season midweek match to be. Fulham have already fired their manager. Their interim manager, Kit Symons, has had some initial success, and many supporters think he should get the permanent job. That can be dangerous (Just look back at Lee, Sammy). The club have formed a search committee, but if Symons gets another win on Wednesday, it will get that much more difficult to return him to his youth coaching role.
Bolton Wanderers, on the other hand, have not started to right the ship. In fact, if many supporters are to be believed, the ship is being rammed repeatedly into an iceberg. To hear some describe it, manager Dougie Freedman is at the helm, blissfully ignorant of the iceberg's presence. Others claim that Chairman Phil Gartside is stearing the ship, that Freedman is a hapless passenger, or worse, a willing accomplice. Metaphors aside, if Freedman's side lose in London on Wednesday, and lose again at home on Saturday, it is hard to see him keeping his job.
We know what is at stake. Most managers would ring in the changes after Saturday's poor performance against Derby County, but Dougie rings in the changes after every match, win or lose, so it is hard to see any difference. My prediction of the starting XI is below:
Andy Lonergan
Tim Ream Matt Mills Dorian Dervite Dean Moxey
Mark Davies Jay Spearing Medo Kamara Darren Pratley
Joe Mason Craig Davies
To be clear, that is not who I would pick, but who I think will start at Craven Cottage. And I think the result will be a 2-2 draw. Let's see your predictions in the comments below!