Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to officially punch an essential Champions League ticket on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City will travel to west London when they meet Fulham.
Fulham
Starting with the hosts, mounting a dramatic second-half comeback away at bitter local rivals Brentford last weekend as they clinched a frantic 3-2 victory, Fulham will be looking to sign off the 2024/25 campaign with a heavyweight scalp. Although the Cottagers might have seen their European dreams come to a frustrating end earlier in the month, they are sat in the driving seat to punch a top-half finish. Last seen at Craven Cottage slumping to a shock 3-1 defeat at the hands of Everton, Fulham have lost six of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Likewise, Sunday’s hosts have recorded consecutive Premier League victories on just a single occasion since the start of November. It should also be highlighted, Silva’s side have lost three of their last four showdowns at Craven Cottage.
Fulham Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Fulham are once again expected to be without the likes of Rodrigo Muniz, Harrison Reed and Arsenal loanee Reece Nelson. Finding the net away at Brentford last weekend and expected to make his final appearance at Craven Cottage, skipper Tom Cairney could lead out Silva’s side.
Finding the net in back-to-back Premier League outings and notching 12 goals this season, Raul Jimenez will lead the line here. Making a full return against Brentford last week, Serbian international Sasa Lukic will partner Sander Berge in the middle of the park.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, while Manchester City might have suffered FA Cup heartbreak at Wembley last weekend, Pep Guardiola’s men didn’t shown any signs of a hangover on Tuesday night. Picking up a 3-1 victory at home against Bournemouth, the Sky Blues are sat firmly in the driving seat to punch an essential Champions League ticket. Getting Sunday’s finale underway in bronze medal position, the former Barcelona boss has not seen his squad suffer a single defeat from any of their previous nine Premier League appearances – a run that stems back to March 8th. Landing an action-packed 3-2 win when they welcomed Fulham to the Etihad for their reverse meeting on October 5th, City hold a dominant record against Sunday’s hosts. In fact, Guardiola’s side have won all of their last 17 straight showdowns against Fulham across all competitions.
Manchester City Team News
Shown a second-half red card against Bournemouth on Tuesday night, former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic will miss out through suspension here. Not making a single appearance since the middle of February, England international John Stones remains on the sidelines and will not feature in west London.
In what will be his final appearance wearing a Sky Blue top, Kevin De Bruyne will lead out Guardiola’s side for one last time on Sunday afternoon. January recruit Nico Gonzalez could be handed a full recall in the middle of the park and make a first start since April 19th.
Fulham vs Manchester City Key Factors to Consider
- When Fulham and Manchester City met for their reverse Premier League meeting on October 5th, Guardiola’s men collected a dramatic 3-2 victory at the Etihad.
- In fact, Man City have won all of their last 17 consecutive meetings against Fulham across all competitions.
- Despite their FA Cup success last weekend, the Sky Blues are unbeaten in all of their last nine straight Premier League appearances.
- Fulham have lost three of their previous four showdowns at Craven Cottage against Premier League opposition.
- Sunday’s hosts have conceded at least a pair of goals in five of their last six appearances in west London.
Conclusion
Claiming an immediate boost on Tuesday night as the clinched a 3-1 victory at home against Bournemouth, Manchester City will be desperate to officially punch their Champions League ticket here. Getting Sunday’s trip to west London underway sat in bronze medal position, Guardiola’s camp will be excited by a sensational record against the Cottagers. Landing an action-packed 3-2 win when they welcomed Fulham to the Etihad on October 5th, Man City have remarkably won all of their last 16 consecutive meetings. In a contest that tends to produce plenty of drama, we are expecting chances to come thick and fast on the final weekend.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet