Manchester City vs Fulham Preview

Premier League GW7

Before the next international break and after two disappointing draws in the Premier League, Manchester City has the chance to get back to winning against Fulham on Saturday afternoon. They’ve had a productive summer bringing in quality players at reasonable fees, notably reducing their concern about an aging squad. It’s paid off with a good start but do they have the tools to cause City problems?

Previous Results

• Manchester City are second in the Premier League, drawing their last two matches against Arsenal (2-2) and Newcastle (1-1).

• Fulham has made a great start to the Premier League season, currently in sixth place after the first six games. Beating Nottingham Forest (A) 0-1 and Newcastle (H) 3-1 in their last two matches.

Notable Injuries:

• Manchester City are without Rodri (knee), Oscar Bobb (ankle), Nathan Ake (thigh), and De Bruyne.

• Fulham are without Jorge Cuenca (ankle) and Carlos Vinicius (calf).

Interesting Fulham Stats:

• Andreas Pereira has created the second-most chances (20) in the Premier League.

• This season, Adama Traore is 5th in the Premier League for open play xA (1.44).

• Antonee Robinson has provided the third most successful crosses in the Premier League (7).

• Only Spurs (99) and Brighton (97) have attempted more crosses than Fulham (91) this season.

• Only Liverpool (2) have conceded fewer goals than Fulham (5) this season in the Premier League.

Fulham Setup

First to mention is the changes in the team over the transfer window, Emile Smith Rowe being the headline. He is a player with real quality but without the extensive record to prove he can be consistent. Whether it’s through injuries, lack of minutes, or performances at Arsenal. Two goals and an assist for Fulham is a great start but it’ll be interesting to see how that develops over a season, he’s still behind Iwobi on most underlying numbers. Good shot volume so far, looking to arrive late on the top of the box.

Joachim Andersen coming in at CB is a good pickup for Fulham, an experienced player with some unique qualities in the air and with his long passing. Gives Fulham a switch pass to use. Value is dependent on how many years they can get out of him since he’s 28. Excellent addition to Fulham who wants to play out from the back more.

Here is how I’d expect Fulham to line up against Manchester City later this afternoon. Jimenez is currently in good form, goal in each of his last three PL matches. Muniz is the option off the bench who briefly gave City some issues in the opening ten minutes against Fulham (A) last season. ESR and Andersen as mentioned above likely to start, as a young/hungry player and physically strong/quality one respectively.

Reiss Nelson is another young, hungry, and talented player Fulham now has to use off the bench. Sander Berge, who had a good season for Burnley 23/24, is now depth in midfield for Fulham. Traore will be just as much of a threat as Iwobi. Antonee Robinson is in my opinion good enough to play for City.

Fulham's buildup is short now, for the most part, so I wonder if that changes against City who generally press very well. Have the most turnovers in the League this season and have the most shots from a turnover. Jimenez is not particularly great at aerial duels so perhaps they will try to play through City where possible, use Adama long where possible. Andersen playing balls down the line is one to watch as well, worked for Fulham this season. Adama comes short to Andersen, pulling Gvardiol with him, whilst Iwobi runs into the vacated space for another option.

You can have success against City if you can get through the 1st midfield line, have a ball carrier capable of dragging Kovacic with him, and have runners in front to pick out. Think about the goal Ipswich scored earlier this season. Other teams have had success off of corners, with City leaving players behind who are either quite small or make rash decisions. Kudus's break for West Ham came off a corner, De Bruyne and Doku dived in when they didn’t need to and he was through to the goal.

Final mention to Lukic, who has been excellent this season at winning the ball and retaining. Which has helped Fulham regain possession and control of matches better than before.

Manchester City Setup 

Given it’s at home, I’d expect Manchester City to remain with their 3-1-6 setup in possession with Rico Lewis moving into midfield. Off the back of his performance in the Champions League, I’m not sure he can be left out.

Erling Haaland came off earlier to be fresh for this match. He’ll want to head into the international break scoring goals. Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, and Jack Grealish all got a rest midweek and I’d expect those four to come into the team against Fulham.

Phil Foden showed he was ready for a start against Bratislava and I think we’ll need his creative influence in the middle of the pitch without De Bruyne. Let alone the impact his shooting threat has on creating space for others.

Final Predictions

Ones to Watch: 

For Manchester City, I think we are due for a real standout performance from Savinho who quietly got the trust of Pep Guardiola with good decision-making, smooth movement, and a willingness to take risks on the right side. Fulham will play and their full-backs will give him the space to attack.

For Fulham, I’ve been impressed with Iwobi in the opening few matches, providing the most passes into the penalty area (19), progressive passes (36), and carries into the final third (20) for Fulham in the Premier League.

Predicted Lineup:

Predicted Score: Manchester City 3-0 Fulham

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