Man City are back in action after the international break and they take on Fulham in their 4th Round FA Cup match this weekend.
The Cityzens are obviously the favourites to pick up a win in this match as they have won 15 of their last 17 matches in this tournament but there’s no way Pep Guardiola will want to take this one easy.
Any other second division side and the Man City boss would have named a second-fiddle side but Fulham are in peak form in the Championship which is why Guardiola is expected to name his regular first XI(with only a few changes).
Fulham are currently sitting at the top of the Championship table and have netted 74 goals in 28 games so far. Marco Silva’s side are sure to throw the kitchen sink at Man City since they have nothing to lose but we doubt if they can come up with anything positive from this game.
Man City team news vs Fulham:
Guardiola had a few players out on international duty so they are not likely to feature vs Fulham. The first of them will be Ederson who was involved with Brazil and the keeper will only find a place on the bench as Steffen takes up the No 1 role.
Neither Ruben Dias nor Laporte will be used in this game as the pairing of John Stones and Nathan Ake should be enough to do the job.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is still a doubt due to a knock so we expect Joao Cancelo to start at left-back while Kyle Walker plays on the other side.
Man City confirm the signing of Argentinian forward Julian Alvarez.
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In the Premier League matches, Rodri is the one who plays in defensive midfield but against a team like Fulham, Guardiola is definitely going to use Fernandinho in that role. If the Man City boss wants to name a strong side then both De Bruyne and Gundogan are expected to start.
Gabriel Jesus was also with the Brazilian squad so the forward is likely to be rested but Riyad Mahrez is back from AFCON so he will get a start.
Grealish has been hit-and-miss this season for Man City and this game is ideal for him to score some goals and get back into peak form. If the summer signing is starting then Raheem Sterling will have to be content with a place on the bench.
Man City injury and probable absentees vs Fulham:
Gabriel Jesus – Involved in international duty – To be rested.
Ederson – Involved in international duty – To be rested.
Zinchenko – Knock – Doubtful.
Benjamin Mendy – Unavailable.
Man City predicted line up vs Fulham:
Predicted Starting XI(4-3-3): Steffen; Cancelo, Walker, Stones, Nathan Ake; Fernandinho, De Bruyne. Gundogan/Silva; Grealish/Sterling, Foden, Mahrez.
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Stats via Fotmob.
