Fulham’s last two Premier League seasons have ended in relegation, but there are no such worries this time around.

As the run-in approaches, the Whites are targeting a top-half finish.

We sat down down with Peter Rutzler, Fulham reporter for The Athletic, to get his thoughts ahead of Monday night’s west London derby.

Fulham are sixth in the Premier League at the time of speaking, which is a position well beyond expectations set at the beginning of the season. What have you made of their campaign so far?

Fulham have certainly performed above all expectations.

Their hope going into this season was to finish 17th or higher, especially after those recent yo-yo seasons, but under Marco Silva, Fulham have hit new heights.

There have been some fantastic results and they have secured their Premier League status before the end of the winter, which has been quite extraordinary, given how competitive the division is.

Now it’s about looking up and seeing how far this team can go.

Aleksandar Mitrovic has answered his doubters with 11 Premier League goals in a season interrupted by injury, but how positive is it that Fulham haven’t been totally reliant on him so far?

It’s been a key factor. Mitrovic hasn’t been available for every game, particularly coming into 2023 after the World Cup, when he had an issue with his ankle, and he’s just come back from a minor hamstring injury, so Fulham have needed to find goals from elsewhere.

They have done that, with 12 different scorers in the league so far this term, which is really quite impressive from a team people expected to revolve around Mitrovic.

It goes without saying that they are a different team with Mitrovic in the side because he brings so much beyond his goals. What they have missed when they haven’t had Mitrovic is his all-round play - his linking up and his dropping deep into midfield.

How do you think the Whites will be approaching this game?

It’s fascinating how the rivalry between Fulham and Brentford has developed.

It still seems a bit strange to even say that both teams are competing for a top-seven spot in the Premier League, and it’s interesting because Fulham and Brentford have had similar goals over the last few years. I think that adds something to how much this game means.

Fulham fans always look to the Chelsea game as the one they love to win, but they do not want to lose to Brentford.

With the teams competing for the same thing, this game means more. In the context of the season, this is a really important game for both sides.

Which player should Brentford fans keep an eye on?

I would have said Joao Palhinha, but he’s suspended. He’s been so important to Fulham’s success this season, with his crashing tackles in the centre of the park.

Willian has rolled back the years this season. I don’t think many expected him to do as well as he has done considering how he left Arsenal, but he has been fantastic and showed the form that won him titles at Chelsea.

Willian has got some serious competition from Manor Solomon now, though.

Solomon has had a difficult season with a knee injury, but he’s beginning to make his mark and has scored from the bench in three consecutive games.

It’s a bit of a headache for Silva, but either way, I’m sure the diminutive, exciting winger will be involved against Brentford.

How is Marco Silva likely to set up his side?

He has set up the same way in pretty much every match that he has taken charge of at Fulham.

He plays a 4-3-3 system with a midfield three that have slightly different roles.

They have a no.6 - a classic defensive midfielder - which has been Palhinha. A no.8, box-to-box player, is on the right of the three, with Andreas Pereira to the left.

Pereira has been fantastic. He is a hugely important creative influence, though he is slightly more advanced as he plays closer to the striker.

Fulham like to get the ball down and play, but they are not averse to going direct and that variation makes them difficult for teams to play against.

Brentford and Fulham have two wins each from the last four west London derby meetings, with 13 goals scored across those matches. What’s your score prediction for this one?

I think it could well be a very entertaining draw.

Brentford are on an incredible unbeaten run and the Gtech is a very difficult place to go, which Fulham know.

If Fulham can get a point from the game, it will be a very good result, and though both teams will want to win it, I’m going for a 1-1 draw.