MCI Pre-Match Preview: Manchester City vs. Fulham FC

With yet another international break looming and without a win in their last two league outings, Manchester City are back at the Etihad after their midweek demolition of Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola’s men will be looking to take a win into the break against a Fulham side that have been quietly brilliant in the opening stages of the season. The Cottagers sit sixth on the log and 3 points behind City. Marco Silva’s men have not lost a game since their opening day defeat away to Manchester United and will be looking for better fortunes in the North West this weekend.

MAN CITY TEAM NEWS:

Pep Guardiola confirmed in his pre-match presser that the squad is unchanged from last weekend’s trip to Newcastle. Aside long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb, Nathan Ake and Kevin de Bruyne the rest of the squad is fine. The boss offered no indications as to the timelines for the return of Nathan Ake and De Bruyne.

FULHAM TEAM NEWS:

Fulham have been one of the better teams early on in the Premier League season and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in the league to six games. Since losing to United in Game week one - a game in which it looked like Fulham might struggle to win games, Marco Silva’s team have put together a run of three wins and two draws and settled the early nerves. Despite losing midfield lynchpin Palhinha in the summer to Bayern Munich, they have been settled in the center of the pitch with Andreas Pereira and Sasa Lukic. Former Arsenal man Emile Smith Rowe has settled in nicely after his summer move and former Wolves forward Raul Jimenez seems to be getting back to his old self. Once upon a time City bogeyman Adama Traore will surely be relishing another chance to go at City’s high line.

PREDICTED LINEUP:

The City backline seems to pick itself. But for the odd gaffe this season, City have conceded the least xG from open play of any team in the league so far and we expect the same backline that started away at Newcastle. Ederson should return to goal after his midweek rest. With Stones’ apparent inability to play consecutive games in a week, three of the back four pick themselves. We should see a return of the Akanji – Dias partnership at CB with Josko Gvardiol continuing at LB. The RB position is one that isn’t as automatic due to the emergence of Rico Lewis but we expect Pep tries to control Fulham’s pace on the right-side using Kyle Walker’s pace and veteran instincts.

Thin as midfield might seem at the moment, Pep has options at his disposal depending on his gameplan. Taking into consideration recent minutes played and the need to manage workload, I expect a central midfield pairing of press-resistant veterans Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva. Between Pereira, Lukic, Smith Rowe and occasionally Iwobi, the Fulham midfield will look to make use of their biggest advantage: energy and pace in midfield. In that sense, Gundogan likely isn’t the best fit while Rico Lewis has played over 80 minutes in each of the last three games. The two are likely due a rest. 

Further forward, the absence of KDB likely is the perfect scenario for Phil Foden to man the #10 position in behind and around Haaland. Jack Grealish has started the season very well, looking like treble winning season form, and should retain his place on the left flank. On the right wing, Savinho has taken to City like a duck to water and should start.

With ten goals in six games, Erling Haaland will be looking to score against one of his favorite opponents. He bagged himself a hattrick against Fulham the last time they visited and will be looking to extend his record of 5 goals and 1 assist in 4 games vs The Cottagers.

KEY BATTLES:

The outcome of the game could ultimately come down to a few key battles on the pitch:

• Erling Haaland vs. Bern Leno: I do not expect Fulham to sit deep in a low block and defend so Haaland will get space. Between Andersen and Bassey, there just isn’t enough to hold him back. Leno on the other hand is a different fish. He is one of the best shot stoppers in the league and if Haaland isn’t clinical, he’s in for a long day. 
• The City midfield will have to be at its best to deal with the mobility of the Fulham midfield. They are young, quick and strong in tackles and physical duels. If City are not on top of it, transitions will cut us open. 
• Adama Traore v Josko Gvardiol. If Adama turns up as he usually does against City, this could be the single most lethal problem the Sky Blues face on the day. Gvardiol in possession will most definitely push forward to create those overloads and Adama will be prime to take advantage of the space in behind him in transition.

MATCH+MOTM PREDICTIONS:

City will see this as an opportunity to build momentum before the international break. I expect City to put in a strong performance and win 3-0, featuring a Haaland brace and a goal and assist from Phil Foden. My MOTM prediction is Phil Foden.

5 Fun Facts:

• Manchester City have not lost a football match vs. Fulham in 23 games. A run consisting of 21 wins and 2 draws dating all the way back to September 2009.
• Manchester City have won 16 in a row vs. Fulham.
• City have scored 2+ goals in all but one game vs. Fulham since 2011.
• Only 2 Fulham players have scored more than once away to City. Diomansy Camara in 2008 and Clint Dempsey in 2009
• Should Haaland score another hattrick he will be the outright leading hattrick scorer in this fixture with two. 

Written by: Dave Mboe

Edited by: SHEIKH