Reading boss Steve Coppell believes Fulham will finally have to resign themselves to relegation if they fail to win at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
Fulham are six points adrift of fourth-bottom Birmingham and Coppell was convinced that failure to make a significant cut into that deficit would leave the Cottagers with too much to do.
He said: "Both teams need to win but Fulham need to win more. It would be very difficult for them to get out if they don't win.
"In a game like this there is always an element of nerves, an element of bottle and of people just being prepared to get a result come what may. And as the games in Europe showed this week, a lot can happen in 90 minutes - referees, injuries, slips. These things can determine a game.
"But whichever team has the most stickability is the one that will come though on Saturday."
Coppell has challenged his players to reach the 40-point barrier, which usually signifies that a team is safe.
He said: "I have been convinced for weeks and weeks that we are capable of getting 40 points and I still think we are. That's always the magical figure and if we don't I will be disappointed come what may."