Manchester City
- Manchester City sit second on 47 points, maintaining pressure on leaders Arsenal.
- Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are the heavy favorites to win this Premier League fixture at 1.35 with Fulham the clear minnows at 8.1.
- A win for City would keep them in contention for the title, although they are not really in their best shape while Fulham will be aiming to maintain a good run of form to improve their European prospects and prove themselves against top-six opposition.
- Pep’s team have been involved in some end-to-end games recently, with two wins, one draw and two losses coming in their last five matches.
Fulham
- Fulham are mid-table in the Premier League, around eighth or ninth on 34 points.
- Fulham’s form has been mixed too with two defeats (Everton and Man Utd), a gritty win over Brighton after a late Wilson free-kick and an FA Cup win followed by a dramatic 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
- The Etihad pitch is likely to be slick and fast due to forecasted rain, which suits City’s style of play more but could also open the game up with Fulham’s counter-attacking threat.
Head-to-Head
- City’s 5-4 win at Fulham in December was a goal fest but the Cottagers’ attacking play meant they were always a threat, even in defeat.
- City’s 3-2 home win over Fulham in October 2024 was another high-scoring game.
- City have won 45 of the all-time head-to-head meetings to Fulham’s 17 and are on a long winning run against them.
Key Players
- Marco Silva’s Fulham are an organised, attack-minded side with the best left-footed free-kick taker in the Premier League in Wilson.
- The Welsh winger has been Fulham’s standout player, putting in a match-winning free-kick against Brighton.
- Raúl Jiménez is a big target in the air and links the play well, while both Emile Smith Rowe and Samuel Chukwueze have provided goals and assists in recent weeks from midfield and wide.
- Jeremy Doku’s pace and dribbling have been a real plus for Manchester City, especially in the two assists against Galatasaray, but his participation is doubtful because of a calf injury.
- Rayan Cherki is a playmaker on a roll and has scored in recent matches, while Erling Haaland is the Premier League’s most lethal striker, having broken the 100-goal mark.
Betting Insights
- Manchester City are the heavy favorites at 1.35.
- Over 2.5 goals is available at 1.53.
Prediction
- Backing them to win 2-0 or 2-1 looks the most likely scoreline here, although Fulham are in good form and could get on the scoresheet with a late goal.
- City are still the class act in England, although they have looked a little vulnerable in their recent defensive play.
