Whether it was inspired by panic or genuine belief, Norwich's decision to sack Chris Hughton with just five games remaining of the season is at the very least puzzling.

Nevertheless, a new era for the Canaries will get underway on Saturday when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham under the stewardship of former Under-18s coach Neil Adams for the first time.

Whether such an inexperienced manager will be able to cope with the pressure of a relegation run-in remains to be seen, but with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal to come, it promises to be a baptism of fire for Adams.

Not that he can afford to look past this weekend. Saturday's match against Fulham is arguably the biggest yet in a fascinating relegation battle, with 17th and 18th place going head to head.

Adams has expressed his confidence that Norwich will remain in the top flight this season, but that belief will be severely tested if his side lose to Fulham at Craven Cottage for the second time this season.

The Canaries have already been thrashed 3-0 there in the FA Cup, and a similar result this weekend would put them within touching distance of the Cottagers and the bottom three.

The signs aren't good for Adams. Norwich have lost their last seven matches on the road and are without a win in nine away games, scoring just five goals in that time. Their overall form stands at just one win in their last six games, during which time they have played a number of teams around them in the table.

The new boss has already outlined his willingness to use youngsters if needed, but with Leroy Fer the only current injury doubt, he may opt for a fairly similar team to Hughton's last match in charge.

Fulham, meanwhile, breathed new life into their fight for survival with a 2-1 away victory over Aston Villa last weekend, and this Saturday's clash is arguably even more important for them.

The Cottagers hauled themselves off the foot of the table courtesy of Hugo Rodallega's late goal at Villa Park, and they now sit just five points from safety with five games remaining.

It would be a remarkable feat if Fulham were to save their Premier League status this season, but of all the bottom three it is the Londoners who look most likely to pull off a great escape. Indeed, victory on Saturday would close the gap to safety to just two points.

However, they have not won back-to-back matches since October and their goal difference - which is comfortably the worst in the league - effectively makes the gap to safety six points.

They may have already beaten Norwich here in the cup, but their Premier League form at home is one of the worst in the division with 11 defeats and just 13 points from their 16 matches in front of their own fans.

Felix Magath has described the match as a must-win encounter, and he is not wrong. Defeat could see them end the day six points from safety having played a game more than Swansea City, who would drop to 17th if both Norwich and West Bromwich Albion win.

The Cottagers will still be without Kostas Mitroglou and Damien Duff through injury, while Giorgios Karagounis, Scott Parker and Dan Burn are also doubts for the match.

Recent form

Fulham: LLWLLW

Norwich: LDLWLL

Possible starting lineups

Fulham: Stockdale; Hangeland, Amorebieta, Heitinga; Riether, Dejagah, Sidwell, Diarra, Richardson; Holtby; Woodrow

Norwich: Ruddy; Martin, Yobo, Bassong, Olsson; Snodgrass, Tettey, Howson, Hoolahan; Elmander, Van Wolfswinkel

Sports Mole says: 2-1