Fulham began our season on the road well with a 1-0 win over Sunderland and a slightly shorter trip to the Midlands is next on the agenda.
The Brewers are likely to again be without injured duo Billy Kee and Zander Diamond. Fulham are expected to select fringe players such as Hugo Rodallega and Ashkan Dejagah. The visitors will be without Maarten Stekelenburg and Kieran Richardson, who are nursing respective shoulder and hamstring problems.
Manager Martin Jol could ring the changes as a number of players may be tired after their exploits at the weekend and a few younger players could be given a chance to shine in the cup competition. Maarten Stekelenburg and Kieran Richardson are still out with injuries sustained against Sunderland, but the likes of Ashkan Dejagah, Alexander Kačaniklić and Hugo Rodallega could be given a run-out with only three days to recover before another trip up north to visit Newcastle on Saturday.
Burton’s only major concern is about defender Zander Diamond, who is out for the next few weeks after damaging a ligament in his foot.
Some of the club’s best moments have come in the FA Cup. In 2006, they held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw in the Third Round in front of a then-record 6,191 fans, but bravely lost the replay at Old Trafford. Again in the Third Round, in 2011, Burton beat Championship side Middlesbrough 2-1 after coming from behind to seal their place in the Fourth Round for the first time, although they then lost to Burnley.
A good season for Burton last year saw them finish in fourth place in the League Two table and it marked their fourth consecutive appearance in the league after they were promoted. This season has begun well and they will be keen to add another top side to their list of cup scalps, with Sheffield United beaten in the First Round back in early August. And, after drawing 2-2 against Cheltenham Town in their season opener in the league, Albion won 1-0 against Rochdale and 3-2 away at Fleetwood Town, before fighting back from 2-0 down to claim a draw against Bury on Saturday to ensure their form is good going into the visit of the Whites.
