Fulham boss Felix Magath claims all the pressure is on hosts Cardiff on Saturday as bottom visit second bottom in the Premier League.
Magath has emphasised the importance of home games as he hopes to overturn the one-point deficit to the Bluebirds and refused to describe the match in the Welsh capital as a “must win”, instead suggesting Cardiff have more to lose if the result does not go their way.
“Cardiff is in the worst situation, because Cardiff have a home game and they have to win,” Magath said.
“They are one point better than us. It’s not enough for them to avoid relegation.
“They have to win, so it’s a good situation for us. I’m convinced that will give us a chance, with counter-attacks, to create chances and to score.
“In our situation you have to especially take care of the home games.
“You have to win the home games, with support from the fans. If you go away it is very difficult to say you must win.”
Magath recognises the boost his side would take from winning at Cardiff.
“It’s very important for us to have the first win,” he said. “Teams who have not won so much in the last games need confidence. The best confidence you can get is if you win.
“Now we are behind the other teams. That is more difficult than to be in 17th place or 18th or 19th place, when you left teams behind you.
“We have all the teams above us. We need to make the first step, to get one place higher and that will give us confidence.”
Magath admitted following last week’s loss to Chelsea that his side’s defending must improve if Fulham are to avoid relegation.
He is certain they will and has confidence his team can their build on their first-half defensive display against Chelsea.
He added: “We stopped defending last week in the second half. What a team can do for 45 minutes a team is able to do for 90 minutes.
“We have to make it for 90 minutes, not only till half-time.”
The German also revealed he tried to sign Cardiff counterpart Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before the then striker joined Manchester United.
It was nearly 18 years ago and Magath could not recall which club he was at at the time, but the timing suggests it was Hamburg.
Magath said: “I don’t know him. I was interested in him as he was playing in Norway. Unfortunately he made up his mind to go to Manchester.
“It was a long time ago. I don’t remember (which club).”
Magath hopes his experience proves important in the battle to stay in the Premier League.
He revealed: “I’m convinced that the job as a manager of a football club is one where you need experience. It’s much better.”
