Manchester City vs Fulham Preview

Manchester City are back in Premier League action this weekend, as Pep Guardiola's side welcomes Fulham to the Etihad Stadium for a rare 3 pm Saturday kick-off.

RealSport101's Tom Young is on hand to provide a comprehensive preview of Saturday's Premier League clash, including team news, predicted starting XIs, and match predictions.

Manchester City vs Fulham Team News

Manchester City

Manchester City will be hoping that they can welcome Erling Haaland back into the fray for Saturday's clash. The Norweigan superstar has missed City's last two matches with a foot injury.

Kalvin Phillips has struggled with injury problems since his move to the Etihad Stadium in the summer. Despite being pictured in first-team training this week, Phillips isn't expected to be part of the squad this week.

Manuel Akanaji is likely to return to the squad after missing City's UEFA Champions League clash with Sevilla due to a dead foot sustained against Leicester City last weekend.

Fulham

Fulham will have to make do without Bobby Decordova-Reid this weekend, with the versatile Jamaica international serving a one-game ban due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Neeskens Kebano will play no part after rupturing his Achilles tendon in Fulham's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth earlier this month. Manor Solomon remains out following knee surgery.

Confirmed Absentees

Manchester City: Kyle Walker

Fulham: Bobby Decordova-Reid, Neeskens Kebano, Manor Solomon

Predicted Lineups

Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Stones; Rodri, Bernardo, De Bruyne; Foden, Grealish, Haaland

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha, James, Pereira, Willian; Mitrovic.

Manchester City vs Fulham Score Prediction

Manchester City enters this weekend's clash as the overwhelming favourite with the bookmakers, and rightfully so. Pep Guardiola's side is yet to drop a point at the Etihad this season, having won all nine games at home in all competitions.

They face a Fulham side who have impressed on their return to the Premier League. Marco Silva's side currently sits seventh in the table, having picked up 19 points through their opening 13 games of the campaign.

The Cottagers have impressed in front of goal, their tally of 22 goals scored is bettered by only six sides in the competition. On the flip side, their 22 goals conceded is the worst of any side currently sitting in the top half of the Premier League.

With or without Erling Haaland, we expect that Manchester City will have too much for their opposition. Expect Fulham to hit the target though, potentially via the head of Aleksandr Mitrovic.

Score Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Fulham

Tom Young's Tip: BTTS - Yes