Manchester City are looking to back-to-back draws in the league to return to winning ways as they host Fulham at the Etihad this Saturday. Champions look to respond to a fall in form against Fulham, in their best league start since 2003, then look for a chink in the armor of Manchester City. The last time that two of these sides met each other was five months ago when Manchester City came away with an easy win, 4-0, at Craven Cottage.
Manchester City vs Fulham: Preview
With that said and done, Manchester City, fresh from an assured 4-0 Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava, where they had the lion’s share of possession and created plenty of opportunities, needs the three points at the Etihad Stadium. Still under so much pressure at home, most especially after two frustrating draws against Wolves and Newcastle, Pep Guardiola’s men, despite their stumbles, continue to show sprinklings of brilliance, with the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden rising to the occasion.
Meanwhile, Fulham have been having an excellent start to this campaign. They sit sixth and are on an excellent streak of five unbeaten wins, including wins over Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. Raul Jimenez is not bad either, spearheading with three goals in his last three, but a visit to the Etihad stands as the real acid test.
Manchester City vs Fulham: Team news and Head-to-head
The casualty list keeps growing at Manchester City, with Rodri, Nathan Ake, and Kevin De Bruyne still on it, meaning Pep Guardiola has been forced to tweak his tactical setup. But such is the depth in his squad that they have managed to keep up in all races. Erling Haaland, with five goals from four appearances against Fulham in the league, once again leads the line.
Fulham have their injury worries, most notably with striker Carlos Vinicius being ruled out for a calf injury. Head coach Marco Silva has kept his consistent squad and is most likely to go ahead with the same eleven men who have secured them two back-to-back league victories. Silva hopes that Sander Berge, Andreas Pereira, and Jimenez can unlock City’s defensive barriers.
Head-to-head
Manchester City has traditionally been superior to Fulham since it has won their last 16 matches in all competitions. Their last meeting was in April this year when City won 4-0. The last time Fulham emerged victorious over Manchester City was in 2009, 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
Possible Starting XI
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Lewis, Kovacic; Bernardo, Foden, Grealish; Haaland
Fulham: Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Pereira; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez
Manchester City vs Fulham: Prediction
It’s tough to look beyond the Citizens, given their undefeated record at home and their historical incomparability to Fulham. This attack, fully packed with firepower led by Haaland, should be able to outscore while Fulham look to exploit their vulnerabilities in the back on the counter. Most likely, Pep Guardiola’s men are expected to have the quality needed to seal a 3-1 victory to make it a 50-match unbeaten mark at home.
Match Details
Due date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM UK
Stadium: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
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