Fulham will look to end their woeful winless streak in London derbies by surprising Tottenham Hotspur for the second time this season in front of the Sky cameras in N17 this evening. Marco Silva has insisted that the August penalty shoot-out victory over Ange Postecoglou’s side in the League Cup will have no bearing on this evening’s encounter – which is the correct assessment given how many changes both sides made – but it should offer a confidence boost ahead of what the Fulham head coach describes as ‘a tough challenge’ for his team.

That lively evening under the lights at Craven Cottage remains Postecoglou’s only defeat since he moved south having beaten all comers in a superb season with Celtic and the Australian has adjusted seamlessly to the task of Premier League management – adjusting to the lose of Harry Kane in exemplary fashion. Spurs sit top of the table after winning six of their opening eight games, boasting an identical record to lauded local rivals Arsenal, and have earned Postecoglou, whose suitably for Old Firm management was questioned after his appointment by the Bhoys, a pair of manager of the month awards.

There will be no immediate reunion with Manor Solomon, who had to have knee surgery before the international break, whilst teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon suffered an ACL injury in the summer. The hosts will also be without Rodrigo Bentancur, Ivan Perisic and Yves Bissouma with the latter missing this evening after being sent off in the win at Luton a fortnight ago. Postecoglou can call upon the services of the superb Son Hueng-Min and defender Cristian Romero whilst former Nottingham Forest winger Brennan Johnson is available for selection having had a spell on the sidelines due to a hamstring complaint.

The task for Fulham is clear – preventing free-scoring Spurs from playing with the style and vibrancy that has characterised their flawless early-season form. Quietening Son and the in-form James Maddison would help, but the hosts have an array of creativity talent as well as demonstrating an ability to conjure up crucial goals, such as the ones that saw them come from behind to beat break Sheffield United’s hearts in stoppage time last month. The assignment is made all the trickier by the fact that Silva will be missing a host of central defenders. Issa Diop’s foot problem, that rendered him unable to continue against the Blades, will keep him out for some time and Tosin Adarabioyo is still some way away from returning from a groin problem.

That will mean a reorganisation at the heart of Fulham’s usual defence with Calvin Bassey likely to be paired with Tim Ream. The Nigerian international has only made a single league start since his £18m move from Ajax in the summer – and that saw him harshly sent off at Arsenal in August. Bassey, like Ream a decidedly left-footed centre half, impressed with a forward-thinking display against the Blades but his Premier League credentials will be sorely tested against a team as talented as Tottenham. The Whites will also be without the League Cup penalty hero with Kenny Tete still making his way back from a groin injury, with Timmy Castagne set to deputise at right back.

Silva will have something of a conundrum to solve in central midfield. Alex Iwobi added vitality and dynamism to the engine room when paired with Joao Palhinha against Sheffield United before the international break – and Fulham’s midfield depth looks strong with Tom Cairney, who came off the bench to clinch a crucial win over Paul Heckingbottom’s outfit, Harrison Reed and fit-again Sasa Lukic battling for a start. Iwobi, who made his name in the red half of north London, might even be a natural fit for the number ten role where Andreas Pereira has flattered to deceive for much of this campaign but the Brazilian’s brilliant ball to Bobby De Cordova-Reid a fortnight ago showed just what an asset the attacking midfielder can be.

De Cordova-Reid should keep his place after an outstanding return to the starting line-up before the international break. Harry Wilson’s brilliant brace helped keep Wales’ European Championship qualifying hopes alive last week, but the winger hasn’t hit the heights of how he finished last season in a Fulham shirt yet this term. Silva has suggested he is likely to keep faith with former Tottenham forward Carlos Vinicius up front – but the Fulham boss views the Brazilian duo of Vinicius and Rodrigo Muniz, a lively substitute against Sheffield United, as competing with Raul Jimenez on a game-by-game basis even if the Mexican has failed to find the net since his summer move from Wolves.

The Whites head into this contest as distinctly second favourites on account of Spurs’ blistering start to the new season – but they have already demonstrated that it is possible to pose problems for Postecoglou and you feel that this version of Fulham, who haven’t won a derby since the departed Aleksandar Mitrovic’s stoppage time header beat Brentford last August, are likely to be more effective away from home against opponents who take risks. They posed Arsenal plenty of problems in adversity earlier this season – and won’t lack belief despite it being ten years since the Whites won at Tottenham courtesy of a predatory finish from former Spurs superstar Dimitar Berbatov. A repeat showing this evening would be some statement.

MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, A. Robinson, Ream, Bassey; Palhinha, Iwobi; De Cordova-Reid, Willian, Pereira; Vinicus. Subs: Rodak, Ballo-Toure, de Fougerolles, Lukic, Reed, Cairney, Wilson, Jimenez, Muniz.