Fresh from crushing title rivals Arsenal in midweek, Manchester City will resume their pursuit of a fifth Premier League crown in six seasons when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon.
Thanks to Wednesday's thrashing, Pep Guardiola's side find themselves two points behind the Gunners with two games in hand, while Marco Silva's men occupy 10th place in the Premier League table.
Match preview
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Despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Tuesday, Fulham are now mathematically safe from relegation and can start planning for another season in the top flight.
Having experienced three promotions and two relegations across the past five years, Fulham gained a reputation as a yo-yo club, but they have adapted to the demands of the Premier League this time around.
In fact, the Cottagers looked set to challenge for European football when they returned from the World Cup break in blistering form, securing six wins in nine matches to climb as high as sixth in the table.
Although Fulham's performances have dipped since then – with five defeats coming in their previous seven outings – Silva's men will be hopeful of ending the campaign on a high note and cementing a top-half finish.
It is no surprise that Fulham's downturn in form has coincided with Aleksandar Mitrovic's eight-game ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh, as the key striker scored 11 goals in 21 league appearances before his suspension.
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Manchester City's clash with Arsenal was billed as the title decider, but Guardiola's men turned the contest into an annihilation, humiliating their rivals with a dominant 4-1 victory in front of the Etihad faithful.
Kevin De Bruyne bagged a brace in the rout, while John Stones added to Arsenal's misery, and there was also time for Erling Braut Haaland to score in second-half stoppage time, netting his 33rd Premier League goal of the campaign to break the record for a 38-game season.
Man City have now won 12 of their last 13 games in all competitions, scoring a whopping 45 goals along the way, with the only draw in that sequence coming at the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Better still, Manchester City carry a 17-match unbeaten streak into Sunday's clash, having notched 14 wins and three draws since their last loss.
With an FA Cup final on the horizon and a Champions League semi-final showdown with Real Madrid just around the corner, Guardiola's side will be eager to strengthen their treble hopes with another positive result this weekend.
Team News
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With Aleksandar Mitrovic in the midst of an eight-game ban, Daniel James will continue in attack for Fulham, while Manor Solomon is also expected to retain his place in the starting XI.
Layvin Kurzawa remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Harry Wilson and Willian are doubts for Sunday's clash, so Bobby Decordova-Reid will likely be restored to the starting lineup.
Joao Palhinha will continue to anchor the midfield alongside Harrison Reed, while Andreas Pereira will look to enhance his tally of five goals and six assists this season.
On the flip side, Nathan Ake is Manchester City's only injury absentee, meaning that Pep Guardiola has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal.
Having chalked up 49 goals in 43 games across all competitions this term, Erling Braut Haaland will continue to spearhead the attack, with Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez expected to occupy the wings.
Guardiola could revert back to the 3-2-4-1 formation that has operated soundly in recent matches, with John Stones joining Rodri in midfield ahead of Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Aymeric Laporte.
Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez are both pushing for a place in the starting XI, although they may have to settle for a substitute appearance this weekend.
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; James, Pereira, Solomon; Decordova-Reid
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Laporte; Stones, Rodri; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland
We say: Fulham 1-3 Manchester City
We expect Manchester City to secure an eighth successive Premier League victory at the expense of stuttering Fulham, who have lost six of their last eight matches in all competitions.
Given that Man City have kept just two clean sheets in their last 11 league outings, Fulham will be hopeful of scoring on Sunday, but Haaland and company should make light work of the Cottagers' backline.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Morris
