Match Preview: Manchester City vs Fulham – Predicted XI, Team News

Manchester City welcome Fulham to the Etihad Stadium as they look to build on their win in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

Manchester City should be at full strength as they begin their attempt to leapfrog Arsenal at the top of the Premier League as they were able to rest some players in Wednesday’s 3-1 Champions League victory over Sevilla.

A win against Fulham will take them to the top of the league at least until the Gunners play Chelsea tomorrow.

After seeing his team fail to score from 24 shots against Everton, Fulham manager Marco Silva called last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Everton a “very unfair result”.

Despite that disappointing performance, he has so far succeeded in translating their Championship-winning form to the Premier League, and they are currently sitting in a very respectable seventh place (W5, D4, L4).

Manchester City vs Fulham – Team News

Erling Braut Haaland who has missed the last two games due to ankle ligament damage, will be evaluated before the game to determine whether he will be able to lead the line for Man City on Saturday.

Despite the fact that both Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips are still out due to their ongoing recovery from groin and shoulder surgeries, there is optimism surrounding both players’ chances of making a comeback before the World Cup.

De Bruyne, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva are all expected to start in midfield as Guardiola is expected to recall a number of his first-team regulars after making seven changes against Sevilla.

Marco Silva will have to make at least two changes to his starting lineup because Neeskens Kebano’s Achilles rupture will keep him out for “several months” and replacement right back Bobby Decordova-Reid will miss time due to a suspension for receiving too many yellow cards.

The most likely candidate to take over at right-back in place of Decordova-Reid is Dutchman Kenny Tete, who will join Issa Diop, Tim Ream, and Antonee Robinson in the back four. Tete returned from injury to play as a substitute last weekend.

Willian could start together on the right flank if Kebano is out due to injury. Only Haaland (17) and Harry Kane (10) have scored more Premier League goals than Mitrovic (nine) so far this season.