Championship leaders Derby County will continue their title charge on Saturday as they face Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Rams have taken control of the fascinating battle at the top of the table, capitalising on those around them dropping points to move two points clear of second-placed Middlesbrough and five ahead of third-placed Ipswich Town.

Back-to-back victories have stretched Derby's unbeaten streak in the league to seven matches, with Tuesday's comfortable 2-0 triumph over Charlton Athletic consolidating their position at the top.

That win would have been particularly pleasing due to the clean sheet that came with it - Derby's first in six matches, having conceded 10 goals in the previous five.

Steve McClaren's side have drawn their most recent two away games but are unbeaten in their last five on the road, while only three teams in the division have a better record on their travels this season.

They have only won one of their last 10 league visits to face Fulham, but already have an emphatic victory at Craven Cottage under their belts this season.

The Rams came from two goals down to thrash the Cottagers 5-2 in the League Cup back in October, having already recorded a 5-1 win over the West London outfit in the reverse league fixture.

Goals are unlikely to be an issue again this weekend with Darren Bent stepping up to the plate in Chris Martin's absence, scoring seven goals in his last nine games for the club.

Martin is nearing a return to action but may not be fit in time for Saturday, while George Thorne could be rested having started twice already this week following a long injury lay-off.

Simon Dawkins has already scored three times against Fulham this season but faces a difficult task in getting back into the team ahead of the in-form Tom Ince and Jesse Lingard, the latter of whom scored on his full debut in midweek.

Fulham would have had pre-season aspirations of challenging the likes of Derby for the Championship title following their relegation from the Premier League last season, but things have not worked as planned for Kit Symons's side.

A 3-0 defeat at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night left the Fulham boss "fuming" as their winless run extended to eight matches in all competitions.

The Cottagers have picked up just two points from the last 18 available in the league and find themselves languishing down in 20th place as a result, only five points clear of the relegation zone.

Their home form has kept their heads above the water so far, but they are yet to win in three outings at Craven Cottage this month and face the second of three consecutive home matches against teams currently in the top four this weekend.

Tim Hoogland was named on the bench for the midweek match as he edges ever closer to full fitness, but this weekend is likely to come too soon for Fernando Amorebieta to feature.

Bryan Ruiz started a Fulham game for the first time since Boxing Day against Wolves and could retain his place in the side, but Scott Parker is likely to be recalled having sat out on Tuesday.

Fulham:

Form in Championship: LDLLDL
Form in all competitions: LDLLDL

Possible starting lineup: Bettinelli; Richards, Hutchinson, Bodurov, Stafylidis; Christensen, Tunnicliffe, Parker, Ruiz; Rodallega, McCormack

Derby:

Form in Championship: WWDDWW
Form in all competitions: WDLDWW

Possible starting lineup: Grant; Christie, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth; Hendrick, Mascarell, Hughes; Ince, Bent, Lingard

Sports Mole says: 1-3