Manchester City will travel to Craven Cottage for their final match of the 2024/25 season, and they will look to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League when they face Fulham.
Manchester City have an impressive record vs Fulham, and they will be confident of grinding out a good result when the two sides face off at Craven Cottage on Sunday. They are heading into this game on the back of five wins from their last six Premier League matches.
Pep Guardiola’s side are undoubtedly the better team on paper, and they should be able to get the job done. On the other hand, Fulham bounced back from their losing run with a victory over Brentford, and they will look to build on it. They will look to finish in the top half of the table, and a win here would be ideal.
Fulham have struggled vs Manchester City for a long time, and they have failed to win any of the last six meetings against the Citizens. It remains to be seen whether they can upset the odds at home. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Fulham
Marco Silva will be without Reiss Nelson (thigh), Rodrigo Muniz (calf), Harrison Reed (calf), and Timothy Castagne (ankle) this weekend. Fulham are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Manchester City, with Bernd Leno in goal.
Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson will start as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Issa Diop will form the central defensive partnership alongside Joachim Andersen.
As for the midfield unit, Sasa Lukic will start alongside Andreas Pereira in the double pivot, and they will add defensive cover and drive to the side. Emile Smith Rowe will start as the attacking midfielder, and he will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.
Adama Traore and Alex Iwobi will start on the flanks, and they will add pace, flair and goals to the side. Raul Jimenez will spearhead the Fulham attack vs Manchester City on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Diop, Andersen, Robinson; Lukic, Pereira; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola will be without Rodri due to a knee injury. John Stones has an ankle issue, and Mateo Kovacic is suspended after seeing red against Bournemouth last weekend. Manchester City will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Fulham, with Ederson Moraes in goal.
Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly will start as the full-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Ruben Dias will pair up alongside Josko Gvardiol at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, llkay Gundogan and Nico Gonzalez will add creativity, control and defensive cover from the double pivot. Kevin De Bruyne will start as the attacking midfielder, and he will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.
Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden will start in the wide areas, and they will add pace and flair to the side. Finally, Omar Marmoush is set to lead the line for Manchester City vs Fulham on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gundogan, Gonzalez; Foden, De Bruyne, Doku; Marmoush
Key Stats
- Manchester City have won their last 17 matches against Fulham in all competitions.
- Manchester City have scored at least two goals in their last 18 matches against Fulham in all competitions.
- 26 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
- Fulham have lost four of the last six matches in all competitions.
- Manchester City have won four of the last six matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Kevin De Bruyne
The Belgian playmaker will be playing his final game for Manchester City at the weekend, and he will look to finish on a strong note. The veteran midfielder is our key player to watch out for, and he will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.
Fulham have been quite vulnerable defensively, and De Bruyne has the quality to expose their vulnerabilities with his passing and vision. He will look to find the back of the net as well. This is a golden opportunity for the 33-year-old to sign off from the Premier League in style, and he is likely to make a defining impact in the final third.
Prediction
Fulham 1-3 Manchester City
Manchester City should be able to extend their impressive run of form against Fulham with a victory here. The hosts are the better team, and they should be able to find a way past the London club.
Fulham have struggled defensively in recent weeks, and their defensive unit is likely to let them down here. Manchester City have world-class attacking players, and they are likely to outscore the home team. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Pep Guardiola and his charges.
