After a dominant 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, Manchester City will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after two successive draws to Arsenal and Newcastle. Pep’s side are up against a high-flying Fulham, who are enjoying a great start to the season with three wins, two draws, and a narrow loss to Manchester United.
Man City have won their last sixteen (16) games against Fulham in all competitions but are yet to win a Premier League game after Rodri’s season-ending ACL injury. Their last Premier League match was a lacklustre 1-1 draw away to Newcastle, with the Manchester side recording one of their lowest xG (0.91) in the Premier League this season.
It is clear that Rodri’s absence has had an impact on City’s performance this season, as questions have been asked of City’s defence, with Pep Guardiola‘s side looking very vulnerable on the transition, having kept one clean sheet in six Premier League games this season.
Fulham have had a great start to the season by their standards, with Marco Silva’s winning two consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since March. They have found the back of the net in five successive Premier League matches this season, with four of their six league games seeing both teams score.
New summer signing Emile Smith Rowe has added a new dynamic to Fulham’s attacking gameplay, with the London team looking more dangerous in the final third than last season. They have been clinical in front of goal, generating better chances with eight (8) goals scored from 8.3 xG. Their 1-0 win away to Nottingham Forest last week was their first clean sheet in the Premier League this season, highlighting a defensive frailty that could easily be exploited by City.
Man City vs Fulham Kick Off
Date: Saturday, 5th October 2024
Time: 14:00 HRS
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Match Officials
Referee: Peter Bankes.
Assistants: Eddie Smart, Nick Greenhalgh. Fourth official: Oliver Langford.
VAR: Graham Scott.
Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis.
Man City vs Fulham Team News
Man City Team News: Pep Guardiola has confirmed Erling Haaland’s availability after an injury scare during midweek action in the Champions League. However, the English Champions will remain without influential star players as Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake remain unfit for selection while Rodri and Oscar Bobb remain sidelined with longer-term injuries. The rest of the team remain fit and available for selection.
Fulham Team News: Carlos Vinicius and Jorge Cuenca remain sidelined with injuries, with Marco Silva confirming the availability of the rest of the team.
Pre-match tactical analysis
City look well below their standards without Rodri but have enough quality in the squad to make up for the loss of the defensive midfielder. City’s 3-2-5 structure in buildup has looked very vulnerable in Rodri’s absence, with the defending Champions being easily susceptible to unnecessary turnovers due to impatience while playing through the opposition block.
It would be interesting to know how Marco Silva sets his side up against a very vulnerable Pep’s side, as they have consistently failed to win points by keeping things tight at the back. With the quality of former Arsenal player Smith Rowe and the form of Raul Jimenez, Fulham possess the technical quality to hurt City in the final third by playing more expansively.
Man City vs Fulham Key Players
Mateo Kovacic
It is a very difficult task to deputise for Rodri in Pep Guardiola’s City, but the Croatian midfielder will have a key role to play as City’s sitting midfielder. City’s structured gameplan revolves around the position of the defensive midfielder, who is largely responsible for interpreting the relationship between his teammates and the available spaces within the opposition lines.
A hasty pass from that crucial position could leave City heavily exposed to a high turnover from the opposition team. Kovacic might have a different profile from Rodri, but his security on the ball and ability to drive through the centre of midfield could give City an extra edge in breaking Fulham’s compact lines.
Raul Jimenez
Having scored in each of his last three appearances, Raul Jimenez could play a pivotal role in this fixture, as City’s defensive frailty could be a weak point for the informed striker to exploit.
With the likes of Smith Rowe, Iwobi, and Adama Traore capable of playing through City’s press, it would be up to Raul Jimenez to convert those chances into goals. With three (3) goals scored from 1.7 xG and 3.42 shots per 90, the Mexican striker has been in ruthless form in front of goal and would be looking to extend that form against Man City at the Etihad stadium.
Man City vs Fulham Predicted Lineups
Man City Predicted Lineup vs Fulham: Ederson, Rico Lewis, Ruben Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Gundogan, Kovacic, Grealish, Foden, Savio, and Haaland.
Fulham Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City: Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Smith Rowe, Lukic, Pereira, Iwobi, Jimenez, Traore.