Manchester City vs Fulham 15/09/18

15 September 2018

The intimidating atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium and the sheer intensity of Manchester City’s play is likely to terrify the Premier League returnees Fulham, who hope to avoid defeat against the best English side at the moment.

The defending champions have opened the season on the right foot, outplaying Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, after which they’ve hammered Huddersfield Town at home by six goals to one. However, an unexpected 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers saw the Citizens losing the pace with Chelsea and Liverpool, who so far grabbed all four victories. Therefore, Pep Guardiola has urged his team to step up their game and return to winning ways instantly, which they did as on the eve of the international break, City defeated Newcastle United by two goals to one.

The Cottagers, who returned to the English top flight this year, kicked off the new campaign with two successive losses, to Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur, after which they pulled off an astonishing 4-2 triumph over Burnley at home. Slavisa Jokanovic’s side had a great chance to clinch their second straight victory in the last round, but they’ve dropped a 2-goal lead against Brighton & Hove Albion, eventually playing out a 2-2 draw at the Falmer Stadium.

Claudio Bravo, Danilo, Eliaquim Mangala, and Kevin De Bruyne will all remain on the sidelines due to injuries, while Tim Ream, Tom Cairney, Neeskens Kebano, and Floyd Ayité won’t play for the visitors.