While acknowledging the magnitude of Saturday’s game, Scott Parker does not believe the Leeds United result will necessarily make or break Fulham’s season.
Victory for the Whites would see us move to within four points of our promotion rivals, while a defeat would see them move 10 clear with just seven matches remaining.
“They don’t come any bigger than Leeds away,” Parker admitted. “It’s a massive game for Leeds, and it’s obviously a massive game for us as well. We’re looking forward to that, we’ll go there and see what we can do.
“Every game for us this season has been a big game, and of course it becomes a little bit more important because of where the two sides are in the division. Leeds, for most of this season, have been one of the best teams. They’ve been at the top of the table for large parts.
“The last time we played them I think there was a 13 point gap, we managed to beat them at home and narrow that gap. We have chipped away and brought them back to us a little bit.
“And to think that if we go there at the weekend and get a result, against a very, very good team, we narrow that gap to four points.”
When asked if a loss would end Fulham’s automatic promotion prospects, our Head Coach said: “It’s difficult, but in saying that we live currently in a world which every day brings up surprises, and certainly when it comes to football.
“Leeds last weekend went and got beat by Cardiff, and that’s no disrespect to Cardiff but you maybe wouldn’t have thought that.
“I think this division at times this year, before the current situation, brought up many surprises. Leeds have had a big swing in points over the course of it.
“The weekend’s a big game, of course it is, but I do still see there being an opening [if Fulham lose]. It’s going to be more difficult of course, because the gap becomes a lot bigger and there are fewer games.
“I firmly believe there’s going to be many twists along the way. We need to put ourselves in a position to try and win as many games as we possibly can, and let’s see where we are come the end of it.”
Elland Road provides one of the best atmospheres in the Championship when the home fans are on form, which will make the empty stadium all the eerier on Saturday.
“There’s no hiding that Elland Road, with the Leeds fans and the intensity they build, they have a fantastic support,” Parker stated. “It’s always a very hostile and difficult place to go. With no fans, that could have a positive effect [for Fulham].
“Saying that, I also believe that there are a lot of players who thrive off that intensity. It could work both ways.
“Leeds players would obviously want their fans behind them, like we wanted our fans behind us at the weekend, but on the flip side of that, the hostility of a stadium sometimes when you’re away from home is something that brings a siege mentality to a team.
“It could be a positive or it could be a negative, we’ll just have to wait and see.”