Manchester City will look to claim the top spot in the league when they square up against 10th-placed Fulham.
Manchester City will hit the road to square up against Fulham as they look to claim the top spot in the league. The home team have secured their position in the English top flight for another season and will now aim to finish inside the top half. Meanwhile, the visitors have a great opportunity to take the lead in the title race.
Fulham’s Premier League status is secured for another season despite their 1-0 loss to Aston Villa. In previous years, the Cottagers have been in and out of the English top flight making them a very inconsistent team. However, this season, they have adapted well to the Premier League’s demands and have been in the race for a European spot.
Although their recent form has been shaky, they will aim to finish the season strongly and secure a top-half finish. Aleksandar Mitrovic’s suspension has significantly impacted Fulham’s performances, as the striker scored 11 goals in 21 league appearances before his eight-game ban for pushing a referee.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are in a class of their own, having dominated Arsenal in a 4-1 victory at the Etihad. The Gunners were dominant throughout the league. However, they were outclassed by a superior City team in a match that was considered a title-deciding fixture.
Pep Guardiola’s team have won 12 out of their last 13 games in all competitions, scoring a whopping 45 goals in the process, with their only draw coming against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 17. They have won 14 wins and three draws since their last loss.
With an FA Cup final against Manchester United and a UEFA Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid looming, The visitors will be keen to maintain their momentum and boost their chances of a treble.
In the reverse fixture between the two, City managed to steal all three points in injury time with a late Erling Haaland penalty. The visitors had a tough time last time around as they were ten men down at the halfway stage of the first half.
Despite that, they managed to claim all three points and this time around City will hope to get it done within 90 minutes. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at this fixture and tries to predict the tactics they could use.
Team News & Tactics
Fulham
Marco Silva will be without the services of Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is serving an eight-match ban. Meanwhile, Layvin Kurzawa is out injured. Harry Wilson and Willian are doubtful for this fixture against Manchester City as they will be assessed before making a call.
Marco Silva has arrived for his pre-#FULMCI press conference. 🎙 pic.twitter.com/Sxzv9ZpTB3
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) April 28, 2023
The home team is expected to start with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Bernd Leno will be in goal. Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson should be the full-backs. Meanwhile, Tosin Adarabioyo and Tim Ream will start at the heart of the defence. The back four will have the tough task of containing a start-studded City attack.
Harrison Reed and the highly sought-after Joao Palhinha will form the double pivot in the centre of the park. The duo will look to help out their defence and not allow the City midfield to dictate the pace of this game.
Manor Solomon and Dan James will start out wide as the wingers. Meanwhile, Andreas Pereira will be the attacking midfielder. In the absence of Mitrovic, Bobby Decordova-Reid will be leading the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; James, Pereira, Solomon; Decordova-Reid
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola will be without the services of Nathan Ake for this fixture. Apart from the Dutchman, everyone else will be available for selection. Despite quite a few big fixtures approaching, the Manchester City boss might still field a strong XI with the majority of his starts in it.
Throw🔙 to @YayaToure's phenomenal free-kick against Fulham! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ZGXD69jSZQ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 29, 2023
Manchester City are expected to start with the 3-2-4-1 formation, where Ederson Moraes will be in goal. Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte will form the back three. John Stones might pair up with Rodri in the centre of the park as the double pivots.
Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish will star out wide as the wingers. Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne will start as the central midfielder. They will look to dictate the pace of the game and supply balls for the Premier League’s top scorer Erling Haaland who will once again lead the attack.
Probable Lineup (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Laporte; Stones, Rodri; Mahrez, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
Key Stats
- Manchester City have an impressive record against Fulham, winning 38 out of the 71 matches played between the two teams.
- The Cottagers have struggled against Manchester City in recent encounters, going winless in their last 15 Premier League matches against them.
- Manchester City have been dominant against Fulham in the Premier League, winning their last 13 consecutive matches against them.
- The Cottagers have found it challenging to keep clean sheets against Pep Guardiola, managing only one in their 29 Premier League encounters.
- The home team have suffered five defeats in their last seven Premier League games.
Player to Watch
Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne is undoubtedly one of the most influential players in the Premier League and a key reason why Manchester City are favourites to win the title this season. The Belgian has been in outstanding form, scoring seven goals and providing a remarkable 18 assists in 29 league appearances so far this campaign.
His contribution to Manchester City’s attack cannot be overstated, as he has been involved in a staggering 36 goals for his side in all competitions. He has established himself as a crucial part of Pep Guardiola’s system. The Spanish manager will hope that the 31-year-old steps up and delivers yet again.
Prediction
Fulham 0-3 Manchester City
Manchester City are the overwhelming favourites to win this match, having been in sensational form in recent weeks. They are expected to dominate possession and create plenty of chances and with their potent attack, they are likely to score quite a few goals.
On the other hand, Fulham will be hoping to put in a respectable performance and end their season on a high note. But it is difficult to see them getting anything from this game against such a strong opponent. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for the visitors.
