Fulham vs Manchester City. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more

Fulham FC will host Manchester City FC in the English Premier League 37th-round match at the Craven Cottage Stadium. The fixture will take place on Saturday, May 11, beginning at 17:00 IST.

Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

Fulham News & Current Form: 

Fulham are a team that consistently assembles a solid squad on paper but struggles to achieve significant goals. This season has been no different for the Cottagers, as they once again find themselves in the role of a mid-table Premier League side, neither contending for survival nor harbouring ambitions of reaching European qualification.

At the turn of February and March, the Black and Whites enjoyed a decent spell, securing four wins in six matches. However, since then, they have struggled. In their last seven games, they have only managed to defeat one team, while drawing three times and suffering three defeats. Interestingly, only 50% of their opponents during this period are placed higher than Silva’s side in the Premier League table, with the rest positioned below their current 13th place. Recent results have only been enough to keep them at 13th in the league table with 44 points.

Following a setback against Liverpool FC (1:3), Silva’s men shared points with Crystal Palace (1:1) and Brentford FC (0:0) last weekend, despite outshooting the Bees by almost double. In the current campaign, the London-based outfit has amassed 65% of their points (29 out of 44) at home, having already defeated Arsenal and Tottenham at Craven Cottage, giving home fans reason to hope for success this weekend as well.

Overall, the Black and Whites hold a respectable 10th position in the overall standings for points accumulated at home. However, in only one of the last six matches they managed to score more than once per game.

Despite recent setbacks, Fulham maintains a solid defence, conceding 55 goals in 36 games, which ranks sixth in the Premier League. Teams such as Newcastle United FC (56), Chelsea FC (59), and West Ham (70), among others, have conceded more goals. Furthermore, the team’s goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, ranks fourth in the league for the number of saves made (124).

Despite their recent poor results, it’s hard to label Fulham’s situation as a crisis, as their ambitions for this season did not extend to European qualification. They are a sturdy mid-table team with a balanced squad but lacking standout stars. There is, of course, 35-year-old Willian, who largely dictates the team’s attacking play, although age is beginning to become evident.

As a midfielder for Fulham FC, Willian expresses his anticipation for facing off against top-tier teams like Manchester City, whom he regards as the best team in the world:

“It’s always good to play against the big teams, especially City who are the best team in the world for me. It’s going to be a difficult one for us, of course, but it’s always a pleasure to play these kinds of games, for sure.”

“To beat them, you need to be perfect. In every moment of the game, in every aspect of the game. We respect them a lot, as I said they’re the best team in the world, but we cannot be afraid to play against them. We need to go there Saturday and try our best to win the game.”

“We have two games left and we have to fight for the points, but for me personally I don’t think about any other situation, any other club. I think about myself and my club.”

Rising star of Fulham FC– Rodrigo Muniz

There is potential in the top scorer for the Cottagers this season, Rodrigo Muniz. The 23-year-old Brazilian striker has scored nine goals and provided one assist. Manager Marco Silva believes Muniz has the chance to shine at the highest level.

Interestingly, like their upcoming opponents, Fulham’s injury list is empty ahead of the 37th round. Harrison Reed missed the previous match but is actively training with the squad again. Brazilian Andreas Pereira is likely to start against City, playing as a defensive midfielder, while Rodrigo Muniz or Raul Jimenez will be responsible for creativity in attack.

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Manchester City News & Current Form: 

Manchester City have had another exceptionally strong season, culminating in already clinching one trophy, becoming FIFA Club World Cup winners for the first time in the club’s history. Unfortunately, their UEFA Champions League campaign didn’t go as planned as they were knocked out by Real Madrid CF in the quarter-finals. However, they still have the opportunity to secure two more trophies.

Come late May, the Sky Blues will contest the Emirates FA Cup final against Manchester United FC. Additionally, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, they remain in contention for the Premier League title, currently sitting second in the table, trailing Arsenal FC by just one point but with a game in hand. Thus, their fate in the race rests firmly in their own hands, but they can ill afford any slip-ups.

Erling Haaland scored 4 goals in the net of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that City’s run-in is somewhat more favourable. While the side of Mikel Arteta side faces matches away with MU and at home against Everton FC, the Citizens have fixtures against Fulham and West Ham United FC at home, as well as a trip to London to face Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Guardiola’s side has been in sublime form, undefeated in their last 20 league matches (16 wins and 4 draws). Following a goalless draw at home against the Gunners, they triumphed over Aston Villa FC (4:1), Crystal Palace FC (4:2), Luton Town FC (5:1), Brighton & Hove Albion FC (4:0), Nottingham Forest FC (2:0), and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (5:1) in the past weekends. Erling Haaland bagged four goals in the first half, while Julian Alvarez found the net in the final five minutes of the match.

It’s hard to imagine the reigning champions dropping points this Saturday, given they are the best away performers in the top division (38 points in 17 away matches, scoring 39 goals and conceding 18).

Moreover, Manchester City have been prolific throughout the season, not just away from home, netting 87 goals in 35 league games, only one less than Arsenal, who have played 36 matches. The Premier League’s top scorer happens to play for City: Haaland has found the net 25 times, including four in the last fixture, putting to rest any doubts about his form. 

However, in the same game against Wolves, the Norwegian appeared visibly frustrated when substituted in the 82nd minute, which Guardiola attributed to dissatisfaction with the refereeing rather than the coaching decision.

Another young talent worthy of attention within the team is 23-year-old midfielder Phil Foden, who has scored 16 goals and provided eight assists. Foden has also been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award. During the recovery of Kevin De Bruyne from a serious injury, it was Foden alongside Haaland who carried Manchester City, keeping the club in the title race.

Speaking of injuries, despite the high intensity of their matches, the team has managed to avoid any significant personnel losses during the crucial period of the season.

It should be noted that in the first round of the current championship, Fulham were thrashed at the Etihad Stadium with a scoreline of 5:1. This defeat marked the eleventh consecutive loss for the Londoners against City, half of which were heavy defeats.

In their own backyard, the Cottagers have only managed to take points off the favourites once in the last 14 years, and even then, they conceded their usual two goals (2:2). In the remaining seven home matches during this period, Fulham suffered consistent defeats against their opponents.

Fulham form guide: L-L-W-L-D-D

Manchester City form guide: W-L-W-W-W-W

Fulham vs Manchester City Head-To-Head Record:

• November 5, 2022: Manchester City 2 – 1 Fulham (Premier League);
• April 30, 2023: Fulham 1 – 2 Manchester City (Premier League);
• September 2, 2023: Manchester City 5 – 1 Fulham (Premier League).

Fulham vs Manchester City Predicted XI:

Fulham’s possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Palhinha, Lukic; Iwobi, Pereira, Willian; Muniz.

Manchester City’s possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden; Haaland.

Statistical preview of the match Fulham vs Manchester City:

• Fulham’s First XI average age is 28.4 years, and City’s First XI average age is 28.5 years.
• The total value of the hosts’ squad is 338 mln euros, while the total of guests comes up to 1,27 bln euros.
• Anthony Taylor has been appointed as the centre referee. The match official has already served 40 games this season, showing an average of 4.75 yellow cards and also whistling 21 fouls per game. 
• In the last 5 games, Manchester conceded an average of 0.40 goals per game and scored an average of 2.60 goals per game.
• In the last 5 games, Fulham conceded an average of 1.00 goals per game and scored an average of 0.80 goals per game.

• Manchester City have a series of 6 wins in the English championship. In 4 of them, the Сitizens won with a difference of more than 2 goals. 
• Fulham won only 1 of the 7 previous duels and suffered 3 defeats in the last 6 rounds. 
• In the 1st leg meeting the treble holders defeated the Londoners with a score of 5:1. 
• The xG indicator convinces us to expect a productive game in the performance of both sides: Fulham have an average of 1.57 xG per game at home, while the Citizens have an average of 2.05 expected goals per game away. 
• Away, the Blues foul an average of 7.24 times per game, while Fulham at home violate the rules an average of 9.5 times per game. 
• At home in the EPL, the Cottagers score an average of 1.72 goals per game, while the City concede 1.06 away goals per game. 
• The world champions serve an average of 7.06 corners per game, while that number for Fulham is 6.17 per match. 
• Pep’s charges are averaging 2.29 yellow cards on the road, while players of Silva receive an average of 2 cards per match at home. 

What has been said before the match:

Marco Silva, coach of the Cottagers, acknowledged the formidable challenge ahead of his team: 

“We are going to face, if not the best team in the world, probably one of the best teams in the world, with no doubts about it. They are the Champions, they want to be Champions again and are in a big fight with Arsenal to achieve it. Great season for both sides, but it’s not for us to talk about that race. We talk about ourselves and we are going to fight for the result and prepare ourselves for it.”

“Last season at the Cottage was a really good game from ourselves, but unfortunately we haven’t got what we probably deserved in that game. That’s all it is. Let’s try to improve for the next one.”

“This season it’s been different, we have been achieving some great results with some great performances against the top sides of this Premier League. It’s not going to be easy, the way City play, the way they approach the games, and because of that it’s going to be a game that is going to demand from ourselves to be really resilient.”

“Apart from the good organization that we have to show on both sides, defensive and offensive as well, we have to be really resilient. Clinical, ruthless as well to be able to match them and to fight to get a good result.”

Gaffer of the Citizens, Pep Guardiola, commended Marco Silva’s coaching prowess, highlighting his excellence not just this season, but consistently:

“Marco Silva is excellent. Not just this season. He was promoted with Fulham playing excellent football. Last season, really well. His patterns, defensive and offensive are really good. I admire him a lot. The job he has done, not just at Fulham. At Watford, he did really well, some problems at Everton but at Fulham his impact is there.”

“I’ve never met one player, manager or team who when they start a game they aren’t focused on playing. Never ever in my life. I will not see it. The Cottagers  play in front of their fans and they come to perform well and they will do everything to beat us and we will do everything to beat them.”

Fulham vs Manchester City Prediction:

Fulham is a fairly convenient opponent for Man City: the Citizens have beaten the Cottagers in the previous 15 head-to-head meetings, 12 times by at least two goals, and in nine cases they have secured a clean sheet. The Sky Blues are approaching the upcoming game in outstanding form: they are riding a 20-match unbeaten streak in the English Premier League, having won six consecutive recent matches. They have scored at least four goals in five of those six matches. A big contributor to this has been the monumental striker Erling Haaland, who, for example, had single-handedly scooped a poker in the last round. The Norwegian is fired up at the criticism he has received lately due to a certain lull in his goalscoring output, but the main Golden Boot contender is planning to hit the ground running in the remaining rounds to help his team reach the title. Pep Guardiola’s charges are excellent at dealing with nerves and pressure in the season’s final stretch, with only a few games left to win, and GD is also something to look out for as Arsenal are better in this aspect. Man City don’t need to save any more energy for the UCL, and their main players are in top form – under such circumstances, a motivated Fulham have little chance. 

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: Manchester City will win with a handicap (-2) – Yes.

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