Manchester City entertain Fulham on Matchday 4, as they look to continue their flawless run in the Premier League.
It is an encounter involving two sides with contrasting fortunes this season, and it promises to be a cracker of a game.
Pep Guardiola’s side have started the season brightly, outwitting sides with bravado and panache.
They smashed Vincent Kompany’s Burnley on opening day in the 2023/24 Premier League, before grinding out a 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
Despite the scare of dropping points on Matchday 4, Manchester City stood tall against Sheffield United by eschewing quality.
With an abundance of clutch players, Rodri stepped up to the plate in the 88th minute to hand the Citizens a 2-1 win over Fulham.
Fulham are aiming to stun the Premier League Champions, having dragged runners-up to a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Matchday 3.
Marco Silva’s side defeated Everton on Matchday 1 in the Premier League, before losing 3-0 to Brentford.
They will be coming into this game with a lot of guts, having bundled out Tottenham Hotspur from the English Football League Cup.
However, they will be without some important legs for this crunch tie at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are aiming to win a record-breaking four consecutive Premier League titles, and they are putting everything in place to ensure that.
It appears no team can upset the applecart but it is still early days in the league and more changes are expected.
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 17 meetings with Fulham across all competitions, winning 15 games and drawing 2 matches.
Team News For Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne and Stefan Ortega are both nursing injuries, and they will be unavailable for action against Fulham.
Manuel Akanji is a doubt for that game, as Pep Guardiola’s side continues to examine his fitness.
John Stones is expected to be back in the coming days, but currently the England international is nursing a thigh injury.
Erling Haaland should start in attack for Manchester City, and after winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, he should be spurred for more success.
Team News for Fulham
Marco Silva’s side will be without the services of William for their trip to Manchester City, as the Brazilian is still in the treatment room.
Despite not having many injury issues to deal with, they will be feeling the absence of Nigerian International Calvin Bassey for the game against Manchester City.
Raul Jimenez is yet to open his goals bank for Fulham but should still spearhead the Cottagers’ attack against Manchester City, while Tosin Adarabioyo or Tim Ream should come in to replace Calvin Bassey.
Tim Ream has served his one-match suspension, after he was dismissed in Fulham’s 3-0 loss to Brentford on August 19, 2023.
Manchester City Possible Starting Line Up Against Fulham:
Ederson, Walker, Aké, Dias, Gvardiol, Bernardo, Rodri, Foden, Alvarez, Grealish, and Haaland.
Fulham Possible Starting Line Up Against Manchester City:
Leno, Tete, Diop, Tim Ream, Robinson, Lukic, Palhinha, Pereira, Wilson, Reid, and Jiminez.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Fulham
The Citizens have had a great time playing Fulham in recent times, as they haven’t tasted defeat against the Cottagers in their last 17 meetings.
In that light, the run should most likely continue on Saturday, September 2, 2023, as Manchester City look to take a win into the international break.
Kick-Off Time: 03:00 PM BST
