Manchester City vs Fulham is on the cards this weekend, and the question is, can the Cottagers stop the Citizens juggernaut?
The defending champions are fresh from a beautiful outing at the UEFA Champions League draw and awards, where Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland were the stars of the day.
The Spanish coach won the Men’s Coach of the Year award, while his Danish bomber Haaland went home with the Player of the Year gong.
Manchester City vs Fulham sees the Citizens welcome the Cottagers to the Etihad Stadium and will want to celebrate their European awards with a win at home.
Manchester City are the only Premier League side with a 100% record. They have won the three games they’ve played in this campaign.
The same cannot be said of Fulham, who have won, drawn and lost one game apiece.
With the transfer window shut, Premier League teams can focus on their business without the distraction of players hoping to leave.
Alex Iwobi joins Fulham
🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/o37k9Rsaa0
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 2, 2023
On deadline day in a deal worth up to £22million, Alex Iwobi reunited with his former boss Marco Silva.
The former Arsenal star hooked up with the man who brought him to Everton. Iwobi made a five-year commitment to the Cottagers.
Iwobisaid after signing for Fulham that he is buzzing and is eager to get started. He claims that Silva convinced him about the ambitions of Fulham, which is why he returned to London.
While struggling for game time at Arsenal, Silva gave Iwobi an exit route, bringing him to the Toffees in 2019, but was fired three months later with Everton 18th on the table.
Iwobi made 123 Premier League appearances for Everton, scoring six times. He was named Players’ Player of the Season and was one of the Toffees best players as Everton narrowly avoided relegation.
Following a collapsed deal with Bayern Munich, Palhinha remained at Fulham. The Bavarians had offered up to £70m, which would have smashed Fulham’s transfer record.
Will Iwobi play in the Manchester City vs Fulham match?
Many would expect to see Iwobi in the Manchester City vs Fulham clash. The game has come too soon for the Nigerian international.
The former Arsenal star was in the starting lineup when Everton lost 4-0 to Aston Villa. It was a terrible day for the Toffees, as they lost the game and their star man to a hamstring injury.
The hamstring injury should keep Iwobi on the sidelines for about six weeks.
Even without the injury, it is unlikely for Iwobi to have been in the starting lineup a day after signing for his new team.
Your August Goal of the Month is… Rodrigo's winner at Sheffield United! 🚀@NissanUK | #ManCity pic.twitter.com/yRzlG1zLrj
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 1, 2023
Probable Lineup
Manchester City:
Goalkeeper: Ederson
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol
Midfielders: Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish
Forward: Haaland
Fulham:
Goalkeeper: Leno
Defenders: Tete, Ream, Bassey, Robinson
Midfielders: Reed, Palhinha; Wilson, Pereira, De Cordova-Reid
Forward: Jimenez
Starting Lineup
Manchester City:
Goalkeeper: Ederson
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake
Midfielders: Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Jeremy Doku
Forward: Haaland
Fulham:
Goalkeeper: Leno
Defenders: Tete, Ream, Diop, Robinson
Midfielders: Reed, Calney, Pereira
Forward: Bobby Reid, Wilson, Jimenez
What to expect
Manchester City are in good form, but the same cannot be said of Fulham. The Citizens have beaten every opposition put before it, but something looks off with the defending champions.
The Citizens beat Newcastle United 1-0 two weeks ago to clinch their 17th consecutive win at the Etihad Stadium in all competitions.
It is a new club record, and during the period, they scored a remarkable 55 goals while conceding only seven.
The Manchester City vs Fulham tie has been one-sided, with the Citizens winning their last 14 games against the Cottagers.
Fulham will take confidence from their 2-2 draw against Arsenal and their EFL Cup win over Tottenham.
Despite knowing Manchester City is a different kettle of tea, they will fancy their chances of picking up at least a point.
Prediction
The Manchester City vs Fulham clash sees Guardiola still recovering from back surgery, and his assistant Juanma Lillo should be on the sidelines.
Marco Silva also returns after serving a one-match touchline ban.
Manchester City have not won each of their opening four Premier League games since 2016-17. Fulham is not in the best form but might test the Citizens.
The Cottagers will employ the same tactics as Sheffield United to frustrate the defending champions. However, we do not think they have enough in them to stop Manchester City.
Manchester City vs Fulham should see the defending champions nicking all three points.
Prediction: Manchester City to win 2-0 or 3-1.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 months ago
