Fulham vs Man City tips and predictions: Stroll on the River Thames for visitors

Craven Cottage will stage this week’s lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League as out-of-sorts Fulham host title chasers Man City.

The defending champions have won 16 of their last 20 league fixtures while avoiding defeat in crunch fixtures with Liverpool and Arsenal.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have fallen away but the Gunners are hanging in there, currently topping the table. However, they’ll need an unlikely favour from the Cottagers to take full control.

That’s because Pep Guardiola’s side has a game in hand. After Saturday’s match, they’ll be back in London midweek to take on Tottenham, when a win would hand them pole position.

Stranger things have happened but there isn’t even the smallest whiff of an upset in the air. City are in full on seek and destroy mode, as evidenced by Saturday’s 5-1 battering of Wolves.

Marco Silva’s side have been competitive at home and they’ve sprung some surprises, such as beating Arsenal 2-1 and Tottenham 3-0, yet this fixture doesn’t offer the same motivation.

Some teams have a history of frightening City, like Fulham’s fellow Londoners, Crystal Palace. But not Fulham. Never. They’ve lost 15 on the spin.

Interestingly, that run only includes five trips to the River Thames, but they’re also unbeaten in 11 there and have scored at least two goals in all but one visit.

Erling Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden have looked unplayable in recent appearances, so it’s hard to envisage a side with one win in seven mustering the belief to slow them down.

 

Team news

Harrison Reed is doubtful for the hosts.

Willian and Alex Iwobi will likely retain their place for their ball-carrying skills on the break, although Adama Traore’s pace has hurt City in the past.

Pep Guardiola has a fully fit squad to select from for the weekend’s match.

Ederson is expected to play behind Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol.

 

Key stats

- Fulham have won one of their last seven Premier League matches

- Erling Haaland has scored seven goals in five league appearances

- Man City have won 15 consecutive matches against Fulham

- Man City are unbeaten in 11 trips to Craven Cottage, scoring 28 goals

 

Suggested bets

Man City to win and over 3.5 goals

Erling Haaland to score first