Manchester City have the chance to heap further pressure on Arsenal and go three points off the league leaders against Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.City’s 2-1 victory from a goal behind at Anfield, ...
Manchester City have the chance to heap further pressure on Arsenal and go three points off the league leaders against Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.
City’s 2-1 victory from a goal behind at Anfield, where they hadn’t won in front of fans since 2003, has taken them from all-but-finished in the title race to sitting on the tails of Arsenal with 13 games left of the season.
The late penalty from Erling Haaland secured all three points at what’s proven to be a bogey ground for Man City, and the visit of Marco Silva’s Fulham offers the opportunity to close the gap with Arsenal playing a day later.
The two sides played out an extraordinary 5-4 game at Craven Cottage in December, with City 5-1 up at one stage and just about holding on for a memorable win.
Phil Foden was at the centre of the nine-goal thriller, but the Englishman has found himself on the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s squad in recent weeks as Antoine Semenyo has maintained his spot in the starting lineup.
Defensive absences persist for Man City, with Abdukodir Khusanov joining the injury list after his concussion substitution against Liverpool, but Ruben Dias came off the bench at the weekend and should be able to start on Wednesday.
Wingers Jeremy Doku and Savinho also remain out, alongside centre-backs John Stones, Joško Gvardiol and central midfielder Mateo Kovačić.
Fulham travel to the Etihad on the back of a disappointing home loss to Everton, having led for the majority of the game before a seven-minute flurry and a Bernd Leno own goal.
Oscar Bobb will be a subject of attention returning to his former club, after a short cameo against the Toffees on his Fulham debut.
Bobb may struggle to come into the starting line-up, with Harry Wilson the standout performer for the Cottagers this season and Samuel Chukwueze bagging a brace in the thrilling reverse fixture.
Sasa Lukic and captain Tom Cairney are potential absentees for Silva’s side, who haven’t earned a point against City since a 2-2 draw in 2011.
The Cottagers are still in the hunt for a European place despite the disheartening loss to Everton, with eighth potentially enough for a UEFA Conference League place and the West London side just three points behind them.
Haaland’s goal at Anfield was his first in the Premier League since late December, and with seven goals in seven games against City’s next opponent you wouldn’t go amiss backing him to re-find his form.
Wednesday’s match at the Etihad Stadium, kicks off at 7:30PM with live coverage on TNT Sports.
Category: General Sports
