City boss "not surprised" by visitor's impressive start to the season
Manchester City vs Fulham
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 3.00pm, Saturday 5th November 2022
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Darren England Assistants: D Roabthan, N Greenhalgh Fourth Official: R Jones VAR: S Atwell
Odds: Man City 1/8, Draw 8/1, Fulham 16/1
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Match of the Day
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Dias, Stones, Ake, Cancelo, Laporte, Akanji, Gomez, Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand, Gundogan, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Palmer, Haaland, Alvarez, Mahrez
Injured: Phillips, Walker
Doubtful: Haaland
Suspended: None
Form guide: LWDWW
Fulham
Manager: Marco Silva
Squad (from): Rodak, Leno, Tete, Kurzawa, Adarabioyo, Duffy, Ream, Mbabu, Diop, Robinson, Reed, Wilson, Cairney, Chalobah, Pereira, James, Onomah, Palinha, Harris, Mitrovic, Willian, Vinicius
Injured: Solomon, Kebano
Doubtful: Kurzawa
Suspended: De Cordova-Reid
Form guide: LDWWD
Erling Haaland has returned to training and could be involved against Fulham, after missing the previous two games with a foot injury. Manuel Akanji is also available again, whilst Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips continue their rehabilitation.
“He’s much better. We will decide today. It’s a good step, he starts to train, and we have training this afternoon and we will see,” Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference.
“Manu’s okay. Kalvin and Kyle are still not fit.”
Fulham have enjoyed an impressive start to the season on their return to the Premier League, and Guardiola said he wasn't surprised by their form.
“You have to see what they did in the Championship, what they did in the transfer window and the manager is exceptional.
“With Marco (Silva) last season in the FA Cup - I know exactly how we suffered. They have a good process and when they are under pressure, they can use the long balls with Mitrovic who can win them and the second balls.
“They’re a good team, it’s not a surprise. They started well drawing against Liverpool and have continued in that way.”
City won their last game against Fulham at The Etihad 4-1, with goals from Ilkay Gundogan, John STones and Riyad Mahrez (2). Overall City have won 18 of the 28 games played against the Cottagers, with 16 draws and 17 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Cancelo, Rodri, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Grealish, Haaland
Score prediction: City 3 Fulham 1