Manchester City visit Craven Cottage to play Fulham, hoping to silence the Cottagers, as they further their chase for a 4th consecutive Premier League title.
The Cityzens are on an imperious run of form in the league, and they have gone a gear higher at the crucial stage of the season just like they have done in previous campaigns.
Pep Guardiola’s side come into this encounter following a 5-1 smashing victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, courtesy of a haul from Erling Haaland and a late goal by Julian Alvarez.
The Manchester-based side know what is expected of them in the coming matches, as they will be aiming to delineate brilliance against Fulham.
Fulham, tutored by Marco Silva are in an horrendous run of form, winning one of their last 7 matches, drawing 3, and losing 3.
Despite the array of stars like Andreas Pereira, Alex Iwobi, Palhinha, and Rodrigo Muniz, the Cottagers have found it hard to grind out positive results in recent weeks.
Fulham Will Be Aiming To Prove A Point Against Manchester City
They come into this game looking to prove a point, after playing out 0-0 and 1-1 draws to Brentford and Crystal Palace respectively in their last two matches.
Their head-to-head guide against Manchester City in their last 18 games doesn’t even look bright. They are winless in their last 18 games against the Cityzens, losing 16 and drawing on just 2 occasions.
In the reverse fixture of the 2023/24 season, they were pummeled at the Etihad Stadium by Manchester City 5-1.
Definitely, Pep Guardiola’s side are odds-on favorites to exit Craven Cottage with a win, but surprises are not new occurrences in football, and as such Fulham will be looking to stun City in London.
Manchester City sit 2nd on the Premier League table with 82 points from 35 league matches, while Arsenal sit at the summit of the log with 83 points, having played 36 games this term, one more than the Cityzens.
Team News For Fulham
Fulham isn’t dealing with many injury concerns, with Harrison Reed expected to return to the squad having been absent for the draw against Brentford on May 4, 2024.
The remaining players are in top shape, and as such names like Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Andreas Pereira, Palhinha, and Rodrigo Muniz are expected to keep their place in the starting lineup.
Team News For Manchester City
Erling Haaland returned to the starting lineup with a bang on Saturday, May 4, 2024, after recovering from an injury.
He scored 4 important goals against Wolves, having scored one on his return from injury against Nottingham Forest on April 28, 2024.
Manchester City also doesn’t have any player battling with injury issues, with goalkeeper Ederson Moraes fully recovering from a recent knock and manning the post in their win over the Wanderers.
Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Football Writers Association Player of the Year award winner Phil Foden – all key players for the Cityzens this campaign, are expected to keep their place in the starting XI of Pep Guardiola’s side.
Expected Line-ups For Fulham:
Bernd Leno, Timothy Castagne, Issa Diop, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson, João Palhinha, Sasa Lukic, Alex Iwobi, Andreas Pereira, Willian, Rodrigo Muniz
Expected Line-ups For Manchester City:
Ederson Moraes, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland
Prediction: Fulham 1-3 Manchester City
Kick-off Time and Date: 12.30 PM (WAT) on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
