Man City predicted lineup vs Fulham - Premier League | OneFootball

Manchester City take to the field for the final time before the October international break on Saturday afternoon as they host Fulham in the Premier League.

Rather astonishingly, Man City have won their last 16 encounters with the Cottagers heading into the weekend and will be aiming to extend that record to get back on track after successive Premier League draws. Pep Guardiola's side have an impeccable home record but are currently without the influence of Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne.

Fulham are in encouraging form and will pose the reigning champions some issues, but there can be no excuses for any more dropped points in the race for a fifth successive Premier League crown.

Here is how Man City could line up this weekend.

Phil Foden scored midweek / Christian Bruna/GettyImages

GK: Ederson - Rested midweek as understudy Stefan Ortega earned a start, Ederson will hope to be less involved than he has been in recent weeks. It was the Brazilian who handed Newcastle their equalising penalty last Saturday.

RB: Kyle Walker - Walker's minutes must be managed as he reaches the latter stage of his career and that's exactly what Guardiola has done at the start of 2024/25. The 34-year-old has youthful competition in Rico Lewis.

CB: Manuel Akanji - Injury to Nathan Ake meant Akanji was relied upon midweek in Slovakia but he didn't have to work too hard in the 4-0 demolition. He played just an hour, leaving him fresh for a battle with in-form Raul Jimenez.

CB|: Ruben Dias - John Stones played the entirety of Tuesday's victory which suggests he will be the centre-back to miss out against Fulham. Dias would take some shifting from Guardiola's strongest XI.

LB: Josko Gvardiol - The Croatian defender got back on the scoresheet against Newcastle with an extremely well-taken goal. Walker's presence allows him to roam further forward and it's worth noting he bagged a brace at Craven Cottage last term.

DM: Rico Lewis - Guardiola desperately needs to fill the Rodri void and young Lewis could offer a unique solution. While far from a midfield enforcer like his Spanish teammate, his tactical intelligence makes him a dab hand at a variety of functions in the engine room.

DM: Mateo Kovacic - Having started five of Man City's Premier League matches this season, Kovacic's influence will only become greater in Rodri's absence. His defensive responsibilities will increase over the coming months and he'll be tasked with stifling Emile Smith Rowe this weekend.

RW: Bernardo Silva - Despite travelling to Slovakia, Silva was given the night off during a comfortable Champions League triumph. Fresh for Fulham, he may be utilised from the right-hand side in place of Savinho.

AM: Phil Foden - Having struggled with illness early in the campaign, Foden showed glimpses of his genius in Bratislava. He returned to the scoresheet in his most productive attacking midfield role and may have done enough to start against the Cottagers.

LW: Jack Grealish - A difficult 2023/24 couldn't come to an end quickly enough for Grealish and the former Aston Villa man appears reinvigorated at the beginning of the new campaign. He's earned another international call-up following some encouraging City displays.

ST: Erling Haaland - Haaland scored one of his trademark Etihad hat-tricks in this fixture last season and has already produced two in the Premier League this term - one coming away from home at West Ham United. You would be foolish to bet against another feast for the Norwegian this weekend.