Manchester City will be aiming to provide a further boost to their Premier League title aspirations when they face Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
City came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory at Liverpool last weekend, closing the gap on leaders Arsenal to six points.
Fulham surrendered a one-goal lead to fall 2-1 at home to Everton.
Match preview
City will be brimming with confidence after recording their first league double over Liverpool for the first time in 89 years.
Pep Guardiola’s side will reduce Arsenal’s lead at the top to just three points with a victory against Fulham.
The reverse fixture ended in a 5-4 thriller, where the Cityzens almost relinquished a four-goal lead.
City’s defensive frailties still persist, but Fulham will struggle to subdue their superior attacking prowess, making the hosts huge favourites.
Fulham have lost three of their last four league matches, which has dealt a big blow to their European aspirations. They are five points adrift of seventh-placed Brentford.
The Cottagers have won just three away league games this season, with only seven teams recording fewer.
Marco Silva’s side are expected to be competitive, but could be blown away without a compact defensive shape.
Team news
The hosts have several injuries to deal with, including Jeremy Doku, Savinho, John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, and Mateo Kovacic. Abdukodir Khusanov is doubtful.
Fulham will miss Sasa Lukic, while Tom Cairney’s involvement is uncertain.
Predicted line-ups
Man City (4-1-4-1): Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes, Nico Gonzalez, Antoine Semenyo, Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, Erling Braut Haaland.
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno, Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson, Sander Berge, Alex Iwobi, Harry Wilson, Kevin, Emile Smith Rowe, Raul Jimenez.
Prediction
We fancy a 3-1 victory for Man City.
Stats from whoscored.com & mancity.com.
