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Preview: Everything you need to know, Predicted XI – Fulham vs Manchester City
After a resounding win at the Etihad on Wednesday night in the pivotal top-of-the-table clash against Arsenal, Manchester City make the trip to West London this Sunday to face Marco Silva's Fulham.
When City beat Arsenal in February at the Emirates Stadium, they followed it up with a disappointing draw away at Nottingham Forest. Pep Guardiola's men will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that and collect a vital three points at Craven Cottage, which would send the champions top of the league for the first time since mid-February. Kick-off for this vital game is at 2:00 PM (BST) on Sunday, April 30th, live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.
Team News
Pep Guardiola provided an update on the fitness of Nathan Ake in his pre-match press conference; the game on Sunday at Craven Cottage comes too soon for Ake, but the City manager confirmed that the Dutch defender is feeling much better.
In Wednesday's win over Arsenal, Manuel Akanji filled in at left-back and did an outstanding job keeping Bukayo Saka quiet. The Swiss international has filled in across the City backline admirably this season and should keep his place in the side for the trip to Fulham. The Blues have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their trip to Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Predicted XI:
Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Akanji, Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Haaland, Grealish
Opposition
Fulham come into Sunday's game on the back of a 1-0 loss to in-form Aston Villa at Villa Park. Silva's side created very little in that game, having just a single shot on goal. The Cottagers have lost three of their last five league games and have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last eight games.
Their recent form has made European football next season unlikely – however, they have fulfilled one of their key objectives for the season and confirmed their Premier League safety with six games to go.
Silva confirmed that Harry Wilson should be fine for Sunday's game – however, Willian will be assessed on Saturday ahead of Fulham's final training session before the game.
Aleksandar Mitrovic continues to serve the eight-game suspension he picked up at Old Trafford in last month's fa cup tie against Manchester United, while Layvin Kurzawa remains on the injury list for Fulham.
Head-to-Head
Played: 71
Wins: 38
Drawn: 16
Losses: 17 In the reverse fixture at the Etihad, a 95th-minute penalty from Erling Haaland gave 10-man City a precious three points.
An Andreas Pereira penalty cancelled out Julian Alvarez's opener after Joao Cancelo gave away a penalty and got sent off after a foul on Harry Wilson. Late into stoppage time, Kevin De Bruyne was fouled and up stepped Haaland to slot away the subsequent penalty and give the Premier League champions all three points.
Guardiola will be hoping that Sunday's game won't be so close run. The Blues are on a run of thirteen straight wins against Fulham in all competitions, ten of those coming in the Premier League. You have to go back to September 2011 for the last time Fulham got a point against City and April 2009 for the last time Fulham got all three points against the club.
Officials
Referee: Simon Hooper
Assistants: Simon Long & Neil Davies
Fourth Official: Graham Scott
VAR: Andy Madley
Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis
Written by: @MakThatGuy
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