Manchester City will be pushing for a win when they host Fulham in the Premier League to pile more pressure on table-toppers Arsenal.
Manchester City will be seeking another win at home when they take on a jubilant Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. With Chelsea scheduled to take on Arsenal in another match on Sunday, the Cityzens could dethrone the Gunners from the top spot should the other results favour them.
Since their narrow defeat to Liverpool, Pep Guardiola’s men have managed to register two back-to-back wins and will be gunning up to make it three in a row.
A Kevin De Bruyne masterclass was enough as City got the better of Leicester City by a solitary goal. Erling Haaland’s absence wasn’t felt as they cruised to another victory to solidify their second position.
Julian Alvarez set up two and scored one against Sevilla as City maintained their unbeaten record in the Champions League. The 22-year-old will be waiting in the wings for another opportunity and should Haaland not deem fit for this game he will have another chance to impress his manager.
Fulham have been pretty cautious in their every step as manager Marco Silva has utilized his every resource with utmost care. They didn’t follow in the footsteps of their own when they got promoted to the 2020-21 season.
The Cottagers had a very underwhelming season having earned a promotion that term and despite splashing their hearts out in the transfer window they couldn’t save their campaign and got demoted to the Championship again.
But they haven’t really put a foot wrong this season and earning a draw against the mighty City could prove to be very useful in the long run. They are closer to the top four than the relegation zone and are currently well-positioned in 7th place.
Aleksandar Mitrovic is currently third in the golden boot list and the Serbian will try to maintain his goal-scoring form when they visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Team News and Tactics
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola is sweating on the fitness of his main man Erling Haaland as the striker missed the last two matches against Leicester City and Sevilla. The Norwegian has returned to team training and if he doesn’t get a late setback the manager could be willing to unleash his beast.
Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips remain on the sidelines and apart from that, the Spanish gaffer doesn’t have any more fitness concerns.
Ederson missed the Champions League clash but will return between the sticks. Ruben Dias will keep his place in the starting lineup and Manuel Akanji will be partnering him as they will be determined to keep a clean sheet.
Joao Cancelo will shift to the left and John Stones will continue his presence on the right side of the defence.
A number of first-team players will return to the scheme of things as the usual midfield trio of Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Bernardo Silva will be encountering the opponent’s pressure in the middle of the pitch.
Phil Foden had an inspiring performance in the last match and he will start on the right flank. Jack Grealish hasn’t been much effective despite his fancy work on the wings and he will be desperate to add a goal to his tally.
Erling Haaland will lead the line.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ederson; Stones, Akanji, Dias, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Foden, Haaland, Grealish
Fulham
Bobby Reid will serve a suspension after accumulating five yellow cards while Neeskens Kebano ruptured his Achilles in the last match and will be out for several months.
Bernd Leno has been the preferred choice since he arrived from Arsenal in the summer and will try to keep the City attackers at bay. Tim Ream has been an everlasting presence in the backline and Issa Diop will try to complement him.
Kenny Tete will be introduced as the right back while Antonee Robinson will complete the back four.
Joao Palhinha’s robustness in the midfield has been a catalyst for the Cottagers and he will team up with Harrison Reed in an attempt to win the midfield battle.
Andreas Pereira has got a new lease of life as he arrived at Fulham with a new vigour and has been a pivotal part of their plan. Another former Manchester United player Daniel James will start on the right wing and veteran Premier League winger Willian will have another go from the left side.
Aleksandar Mitrovic will be the sole frontman.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; James, Pereira, Willian; Mitrovic
Key Stats
- Manchester City haven’t lost to Fulham in the last 14 Premier League matches winning 11 and drawing three games.
- Fulham have managed four wins over Manchester City in the Premier League and three of the wins arrived at the Etihad Stadium.
- Manchester City are on a 12-match winning run against Fulham in all competitions.
- Fulham have managed just two wins against reigning Premier League champions in the last 15 matches away from home.
- Manchester City have been on a 10-game winning run at their home scoring at least three in the proceedings.
Key Player
Erling Haaland
The Manchester City striker has already lit up the Premier League in his first season and is the current favourite to grab the golden boot. The Norwegian doesn’t participate in the buildup too much but has been rampaging the opponents with all kinds of goals.
Prediction
Manchester City 3-0 Fulham
Manchester City’s home record has been pretty envious and one cannot expect Fulham to beat it to the dust. The Cottagers have had a good run so far but Marco SIlva’e men would need to make a statement display if they are to leave Manchester with a victory.