Manchester City continue their title defence with a home clash against Fulham at Etihad Stadium.
Victory will see Man City stay top of the table heading into the international break, whilst Fulham will look to go into the top ten with a win.
Team News
Manuel Akanji is set to return for Man City after he missed their win at Sheffield Utd through illness.
John Stones (muscle) and Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) both remain sidelined.
Fulham will welcome defender, Calvin Bassey back into contention after he was suspended for their midweek Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham on penalties following his red card at Arsenal last weekend.
Willian is a doubt due to a fitness issue amidst interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, whilst Tom Cairney (knee) could also miss the game.
Sasa Lukic however is ruled out with a knee injury.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Fulham at the Etihad Stadium in a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday 2 September, albeit untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City have lost just one of their last 18 Premier League meetings against Fulham (W13, D4, L1).
- Fulham are winless in their last eight league visits to Man City (D2, L6).
- City’s Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez both scored in 2-1 wins over Fulham home and away last season (W2).
- Coming into this matchweek, no player has had more shots on target this season than Man City’s Erling Haaland (7).
- No Fulham player created more passes in their opening three league games of this season than Issa Diop (185).
Prediction
Despite snatching a clinical win at Sheffield United, Man City have serious work to do because they were sloppy for much of the game in their end product, amidst excellent dominance and game management but their defending of the Blades’ equaliser was a complacement mess.
Fulham meanwhile showed guts and bravery in their 2-2 draw at Arsenal with a lot of positive attacking play amidst some moments of poor defending which were punished, so I hope that they can bring more of that attacking quality and take the fight to City.
Their record against Man City however is poor but if they can produce the same performance which we saw at Arsenal, albeit with more disciplined defending then I can see them getting a point unless City turn up with their firepower dialled up to ruthless level.
Prediction: Manchester City 1-1 Fulham
Result: Manchester City 5-1 Fulham
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