Fulham vs Manchester City predictions: Citizens ready to secure third place
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- Manchester City have won their last 17 meetings with Fulham
- City are unbeaten in nine league games, winning six times
- Recommended bet: Manchester City to win & both teams to score
By their own high standards this season has been uncharacteristically poor for Manchester City, but they can save some face by winning at Fulham to secure third place in the Premier League.
The Citizens suffered FA Cup final heartbreak against Crystal Palace at Wembley last weekend, but they served up the perfect response with Tuesday’s 3-1 win at home to Bournemouth.
That means that Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in nine league games and are in control of their own destiny, although a setback could see them slip out of the top five.
Therefore, the Citizens should be fully focused on the job in hand at Craven Cottage and in Fulham they face a side who have lost four of their last six league games.
However, the Cottagers have had a fine season and sit tenth after bouncing back to form with a thrilling 3-2 victory at Brentford last weekend.
Team news
Hosts Fulham remain without Timothy Castagne, Reiss Nelson, Harrison Reed and Rodrigo Munoz.
Kevin De Bruyne gets set to play his final game for Manchester City, but John Stones remains sidelined.
Rodri, Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb have all recently returned from injury for the Citizens, but Savinho was not included in the squad for Tuesday’s win at home to Bournemouth and Mateo Kovacic is suspended.
The stats
City have won their last 17 meetings with Fulham and their last seven victories over the Cottagers have all featured three or more goals.
Fulham have won only three of their last 11 home league matches and both teams have scored in 14 of the Cottagers' 18 home league games this season.
Eleven of City’s last 18 league games have gone over 2.5 goals.
Guardiola’s side have kept clean sheets in four of their last five away league matches and have won their final Premier League game in nine of the last 11 seasons.
Prediction
While a point may be enough to finish third, City will be targeting victory and they have been utterly dominant in recent times with Fulham, winning each of the last 17 rivalries.
The Citizens would have been disappointed not to have claimed any silverware this season, but they have raised their game in the Premier League, recording victory in five of their last six top-flight fixtures.
Virtually back at full strength, Guardiola’s side should have too much quality for Fulham, although the Cottagers will pose a threat on the counter-attack.
Marco Silva’s men showed the dangers they possess in the final third with last weekend’s 3-2 win at an in-form Brentford and both teams have scored in 14 of their 18 home league games this season.
So Fulham may be able to grab a consolation, but they have lost 2-1 to Chelsea and 3-1 to Everton in their last two home league matches and are likely to find City too hot to handle.
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