Predicted Starting Line-Up: Manchester City vs Fulham (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City return to the Etihad Stadium in Premier League action after two away matchdays in a row as they take on Marco Silva’s Fulham.

In the reverse fixture, the two teams produced a 4-5 thriller at Craven Cottage with City coming out on top thanks to goals from Erling Haaland, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden and a Sander Berge own goal.

Pep Guardiola’s men into this one off the back of an exciting 1-2 comeback win at Anfield against Liverpool – only the third triumph the Blues have earned at the Merseyside ground this century.

Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku and Savinho are currently in Manchester City’s medical department and will miss Wednesday’s match, while for the visitors, Tom Cairney and Sasa Lukic are both injured.

During his usual pre-match media duties, Pep Guardiola confirmed that Abdukodir Khusanov is fit and available for the clash against Fulham after his head injury sustained against Liverpool, while John Stones’ return to availability was also confirmed.

Since Manchester City play before Arsenal this midweek, the game will be a great chance to reduce the gap to three points and put pressure on the current league leaders ahead of their clash away at Brentford.

Here is how we predict the hosts will line-up against their West London opponents this week!

Predicted XI

Arguably Manchester City’s saviour against Liverpool, Gianluigi Donnarumma continues to show why he currently holds the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper in the world, and the Italian will feature in between the posts.

Matheus Nunes has consolidated himself as arguably one of the best right-backs in the Premier League this season, and the now-former midfielder may start once again for the Blues this week.

The rise of Abdukodir Khusanov is admirable as the Uzbek centre-back lives his best moments since he arrived at the Etihad Stadium over a year ago, and the No.45 may be in line to continue as a starter despite Rúben Dias’ return.

We predict that the recently signed and already impressive Marc Guéhi will once again form a partnership with Khusanov in the back line for City this week, in a pairing that is already working out pretty well for the club.

As for Rayan Ait-Nouri, the Algerian has been gaining increased game time after his AFCON pause over winter, proving exactly why Manchester City bought him from Wolves during the last summer market. The left-back should be in the initial eleven one more time.

Rodri’s performance at Anfield on Sunday afternoon was one of his best since coming back from injury, and if physically capable of playing almost 50 hours after another masterclass, the Spaniard simply should.

Captain Bernardo Silva is a leader by example, making him essential in such a match. The legendary No.20 is also key for the new formation as a second holding midfielder with freedom to roam on the pitch, making the Portuguese a likely presence on this team sheet.

Rayan Cherki gives pleasure when on the ball, and against Fulham he should return to the line-up. After being left on the bench at Anfield, Tijjani Reijnders may start to complete an advanced midfield duo.

Manchester City’s striking partnership should be composed by goal scorers Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo, and with this tactical set-up, Pep Guardiola could use a 4-2-2-2 formation on the ball while defending in a classic 4-4-2.

Starting XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Bernardo, Cherki, Reijnders; Haaland, Semenyo.

Substitutes: Trafford, Lewis, Dias, Ake, Alleyne, O’Reilly, Nico, Foden, Marmoush.