Fulham vs Manchester City
Date: 30/03/2019
K/O: 12:30
TV: Sky Sports Premier League
Venue: Craven Cottage
Referee: Kevin Friend
Fulham host reigning champions Manchester City in the Premier League’s early kick-off on Saturday seeking only their second win of 2019.
The Cottagers could welcome back Andre Schurrle after a layoff and have no fresh injury concerns to deal with. Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli remains out following knee surgery and Alfie Mawson remains on the sidelines.
The Citizens could welcome back several players following the much needed international break, with John Stones, Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne and Nicolas Otamendi among those who are approaching fitness following short spells out.
Caretaker manager Scott Parker is expected to name largely the same side that almost drew against Liverpool, with Fulham unlikely to see much of the ball against City. Sergio Rico will continue in goal, behind a possible unchanged back four of Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Calum Chambers, Tim Ream and Joe Bryan. Denis Odoi or Cyrus Christie may come in if Parker decides to freshen up his starting XI.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Jean Michael Seri return from international duty with Cameroon and Ivory Coast respectively to reprise their partnership in midfield, behind captain Tom Cairney. Ryan Babel will once again start on the right, with Ryan Sessegnon and Andre Schurrle hopeful of ousting Floyd Ayite from his starting berth on the left. Aleksandr Mitrovic will lead the line once again.
Pep Guardiola is expected to resist the temptation of risking several of his returning stars but will bring some straight back into the side. Ederson will continue in goal, behind Kyle Walker on the right-hand side. Aymeric Laporte is the only senior central defender who has no injury concern and will be partnered by one of the returning John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi or Vincent Kompany.
On the left, Guardiola may choose to bring Benjamin Mendy in for his first league appearance since November but is likely to show faith in Oleksandr Zinchenko as the Ukrainian enjoys an impressive spell of form.
Fernandinho is expected to return to the matchday squad for the trip to Fulham but may not make the starting XI as he eases his way back to full fitness. Ilkay Gundogan will continue to deputise in the deep midfield role.
Kevin De Bruyne is not expected to be fit to start but could also return to the squad, with David and Bernardo Silva set to continue in midfield. Sergio Aguero will lead the line once again with on fire Raheem Sterling on the right. Guardiola faces a selection dilemma on the left however, with both Riyad Mahrez and Leroy Sane fit.
Predicted Starting XIs
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Rico; Fosu-Mensah, Chambers, Ream, Bryan; Zambo Anguissa, Seri; Babel, Cairney, Schurrle; Mitrovic
Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Mendy; B.Silva, Gundogan, D. Silva; Sterling, Aguero, Mahrez
Score Prediction: Fulham 0 Manchester City 4
Fulham have played well since Scott Parker has taken over as caretaker manager yet they have continued to struggle in finding a result. Relegation is looking more and more likely every week and coming up against the possible champions, who themselves need a victory to keep their consecutive league title dream alive, is not ideal. Manchester City should win comfortably here but Fulham will take confidence in their performances against Chelsea and Liverpool.
