2024/25 Man City vs. Fulham – Predictions, Predicted Lineups, Injury News

As Manchester City prepare to host Fulham at the Etihad Stadium, the stakes are high for both sides, each with different ambitions for the season. City are chasing the Premier League title once again and will be eager to solidify their position at the top.

Meanwhile, Fulham have had a promising start and sit just outside the European spots, hoping to pull off a shock against one of the Premier League’s giants.

With a rich head-to-head history dominated by City, Fulham face an uphill task but will be motivated to change the narrative.

Man City Preview

Manchester City come into this clash as firm favorites, unbeaten against Fulham in their last 19 encounters, winning 17 and drawing 2.

They’ve been a dominant force, scoring 7 goals in their last 5 matches, and despite a slight dip in form recently, Pep Guardiola’s men remain a daunting prospect at home. City’s form in the league has seen them claim 11 points from their last 5 games, with 3 wins and 2 draws, keeping them near the top of the table.

Erling Haaland remains their key threat, leading the Premier League’s scoring charts with 10 goals. City’s attack has been prolific, but they’ve shown vulnerability in defense, conceding 6 goals in their last 5 matches.

Their recent draw against Newcastle highlighted their offensive power but also revealed some defensive frailties. Despite creating several chances, they were held 1-1 after an error that led to a penalty equalizer from Gordon.

Nonetheless, City will look to bounce back, especially given their solid home form, where they’ve scored 8 goals and conceded just 4 in their last 3 outings.

Guardiola will be confident in his squad’s depth, even with key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Aké, and Rodri out with injuries. The focus will be on maintaining control of possession and exploiting Fulham’s vulnerabilities through Haaland’s clinical finishing.

Fulham Preview

Fulham, on the other hand, have had a commendable start to their campaign, sitting 6th in the Premier League. They’ve demonstrated resilience and attacking prowess, scoring 7 goals in their last 5 matches, and their ability to grind out results has been crucial to their position just outside the UCL places.

Coming off a 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest, Fulham are in good form, having collected 11 points from their last 5 matches.

Marco Silva’s side will face an enormous challenge, but they’ve shown they can be difficult to break down, with just 4 goals conceded in their last 5 matches. The Cottagers have been strong defensively but will need to be at their very best to contain City’s relentless attack.

Fulham’s away form has been mixed, with 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss from their 3 outings, and they’ll need to be clinical when chances come their way.

Raul Jiménez will be key up front, while Alex Iwobi and Smith Rowe will provide creativity from midfield. Fulham have the ability to frustrate City, especially if they can keep the game tight and hit them on the counter.

Injury News
Manchester City:

Fulham:

Carlos Vinicius: Knock – doubtful for the match

Both teams have key absentees, with City particularly missing the creativity of Kevin De Bruyne and the stability Rodri offers in midfield. Fulham’s Carlos Vinicius is a doubt, which may impact their attacking options.

Man City vs. Fulham Head-to-Head

Historically, Manchester City have dominated this fixture. In the last 19 meetings, Fulham have failed to register a win, with City claiming 17 victories and 2 draws. This overwhelming record, coupled with City’s recent form, makes them strong favorites.

The last time these two sides met, Manchester City secured a comfortable 3-0 win, and Fulham will need to rewrite history if they are to claim any points from this match.

Man City vs. Fulham Predicted Lineups

Manchester City (4-3-3):
Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol; Phil Foden, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva; Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland, Savio.

Fulham (4-2-3-1):
Bernd Leno; Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson; Pereira, Lukic; Smith Rowe, Traore, Iwobi; Raul Jiménez.

Man City vs. Fulham Who Will Win?

With Manchester City’s exceptional head-to-head record and their superior quality on paper, they are overwhelming favorites to win this match. Fulham have shown glimpses of promise this season, but City’s dominance in both attack and defense will likely prove too much for them.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Fulham