Fulham v MAN CITY: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team

Fancy a flutter? City to win 3-0 is a hugely tempting 12/1, whilst Edin Dzeko to score first and City to win 2-1 has fantastic odds of 33/1. Feel confident that you can predict the outcome? Got an instinct who will score first? Click HERE to bet on the game.

If the Champions League is the icing on the cake, then we’re back to the bread and butter of the Premier League as we travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham. They too competed in Europe during the week, but even if we can now look down on the Europa League with disdain, we should not look down on them when it comes to domestic matters.

Our performance at the Cottage last season was one of the highlights of the season; a superb team display, highlighting at our quality and fully deserving of the 4-1 victory. This time around, however, Martin Jol has taken over from former City boss Mark Hughes, and is building a solid outfit, tight at the back but with the ability to score goals. Jol himself has a perfect record against the Blues, having won all six of the meetings so far, but we are searching for our eighth consecutive Premier League victory and few would bet against us.

After the exertions against Napoli, Roberto Mancini will be tempted to make a few changes to liven up the side. Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero were both off the pace on Wednesday, whilst I’d be surprised if both Micah Richards and Gael Clichy didn’t return. In midfield, the duo of James Milner and Nigel De Jong are both still sidelined with injury, but further forward, Adam Johnson, Carlos Tévez and Mario Balotelli are all pushing for starts.

Here is the side I expect Mancini to select:

Fulham will never set the Premier League alight but they’re tricky opponents. Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes are very reliable defenders, although the latter is doubtful with injury, whilst Danny Murphy is an experienced and highly skilled playmaker. Andy Johnson’s willingness to run the channels has often caused City defences trouble and Bobby Zamora is a handful with his physical presence.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg – For a referee, he loves the spotlight and attention far too much. Don’t be surprised if he gives a controversial late decision.

Prediction: Fulham 1 – 2 MAN CITY – A tight affair with Fulham working hard to deny us space, but over the 90 minutes, our extra quality should prevail. Goals to be scored by Dzeko, Aguero and Dempsey.

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