Manchester City Starting XI vs Fulham: Predicted Lineup and Confirmed Team News | OneFootball

Man City at Full Strength for Season Finale Showdown at Fulham

Premier League 2024/25 Final Day: Fulham v Manchester City Preview

Date: Sunday 25 May 2025 | Kick-off: 4pm BSTVenue: Craven Cottage, LondonKeywords: Manchester City vs Fulham preview, Premier League final day, Man City injury news, Guardiola team news, Champions League qualification

Manchester City head to west London on Sunday knowing destiny rests firmly in their own hands.

Pep Guardiola’s side are on the brink of confirming a top-five Premier League finish — and with it, a Champions League place for 2025/26 — when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage in the final round of the season.

What’s at Stake?

A win would secure third place outright for City, ensuring they end the campaign ahead of a jostling pack that includes Aston Villa, Newcastle, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest. A draw, in all likelihood, will be enough too, given their healthy goal difference cushion over sixth-placed Villa.

In fact, the only scenario where City might fall out of the top five is something straight from a fever dream: Newcastle and either Forest or Chelsea must win, while Villa would need to beat Manchester United by 17 clear goals. Stranger things have not happened.

Injury and Team News

Guardiola, ever the pragmatist, has called this match “vital”, and he’ll be buoyed by the fact that his squad is close to full strength.

Only John Stones is currently unavailable through injury. Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic misses out through suspension after his dismissal in the midweek 3-1 victory over Bournemouth — a result that kept City’s European hopes on track.

Rodri, returning from an eight-month absence, remains short of full match fitness and is expected to remain on the bench after a cameo in midweek.

That opens the door for Nico Gonzalez, who is likely to slot into midfield alongside the ever-reliable Ilkay Gundogan. Expect Kevin De Bruyne to operate just ahead of them in what will be his farewell appearance in both City colours and the Premier League.

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Attacking Threat

City’s attack will again be led by Erling Haaland, still hunting his first goal since returning from injury. The Norwegian has looked sharp in flashes, and few would bet against him marking the occasion with a timely strike.

Bernardo Silva and Omar Marmoush — increasingly integral to City’s transition play — are set to flank Haaland in a fluid front three. Jack Grealish is not expected to feature, and with murmurs of a summer exit growing louder, it could mark a quiet end to his Etihad chapter.

Predicted Manchester City XI:

Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, Gundogan; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Marmoush; Haaland

Absent:

Final Word

With a Champions League place within touching distance, Guardiola will demand intensity and focus from his side — and Fulham, with nothing but pride on the line, will need to dig deep to spoil the party.

Whether it ends in celebration or consternation, the final day promises drama.