Premier League: Can Cottagers Break Their Sky Blue Curse?

Manchester City vs Fulham

Manchester City hope to get back to winning ways in the Premier League this Saturday, when Fulham are the visitors to the Etihad Stadium. 

Pep Guardiola’s league favourites have just been toppled from the summit of the table after being held to a second consecutive draw, away to Newcastle last week.

But the Sky Blues must surely fancy their chances against the West Londoners after having won the last six meetings with Fulham, including a double last season with a goal tally of nine to one.

Marco Silva’s side come into the game on the back of a 1-0 win away to Nottingham Forest, a result which leaves the Cottagers sitting happily in sixth place in the Premier League table.  But take a look at the SBOTOP odds on Manchester City to win the game, and you could be forgiven for thinking the visitors don’t have a chance.

Well, using football fans’ logic (which I like to do), Fulham have just beaten the team which overcame Liverpool a couple of weeks ago, and Arne Slot’s side are looking down on Manchester City at the moment.

You see my point? There’s always a chance in an 11 vs 11 match.    

Talking Points

Guardiola’s challenge for Foden

While the Premier League 2024 betting odds are firmly behind the Sky Blues in their quest to win a fifth consecutive title; the City boss knows there are at least two teams capable of beating them to the title if they are below their very best.

And the champions have already suffered some serious injury blows, with defencive midfielder Rodri out for the season and playmaker Kevin De Bruyne missing the last three games with a thigh strain, while centre-back Nathan Ake also remains sidelined.

Guardiola has a deep squad though, and his most dangerous attacking midfielder has made a slow start to the campaign. So the manager has said he fully expects Phil Foden to be back to his best very soon.

He was named the PFA Player of the Year after an incredible 2023/24, but Foden has been mainly on the bench this season, making brief appearances. It’s likely that De Bruyne will miss the game against Fulham, and I expect Foden to make a start.

His boss has voiced support for the England man, saying: “Maybe I have some doubts in many things, but Phil Foden is going to be back! As much as he feels good, he will be back.” 

The 24-year-old scored a brilliant goal in Manchester City’s Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava, and that will do him the world of good. When Foden starts to click, it is time for City’s rivals to worry.  

Jimenez is hot for Fulham

Following the departure of Fulham’s legendary striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to Saudi Arabia, fans at Craven Cottage were a little concerned when Raul Jimenez was drafted in as the Serb’s replacement at a modest fee of £5 million.

He took time to settle last season, but this term he has been in fine form. Jimenez scored a penalty to inflict a first defeat of the league season on Nottingham Forest, and it was the Mexican’s fourth goal in four starts across all competitions and his 50^th Premier League goal to boot.

Now at 33 years of age, Jimenez is in the autumn of his career, but he has lost none of the intelligence and craft that have made him a well-rounded striker. He’s big and powerful, strong in the air, and able to hold the ball up, but he also has clever ball skills and a neat finish and is one of the best penalty takers in the game.

Jimenez has linked up again with winger Adama Traore, who he played with at Wolverhampton Wanderers and is still one of the fastest players in the game.

But it is Fulham’s defence which will surely be the busiest in Manchester on Saturday, and Silva has a defencive unit he can rely on.

Wing-back Antonee Robinson is one of the best left-sided defenders in the Premier League, while summer signing Joachim Andersen is a real coup.

It’s something of a mystery why Crystal Palace decided to part with the Danish centre-back, as Andersen is a Rolls Royce of a player, strong in the tackle and superb on the ball, able to run out of defence or hit long diagonal passes, which Traore will chase all day long.

History

With 24 victories to four, the Sky Blues have seriously bossed this fixture and are unbeaten in 16 matches against the Cottagers and in 13 meetings at home.

In terms of recent form, Fulham are in good shape with three victories, two draws, and one defeat, while City have three wins and three draws.   

Betting Tip

The Sky Blues are at odds of 1.21 to win this game with Fulham at 8.87, and the draw is 5.60, while the Double Chance: Fulham or Draw is priced at 3.77. It’s difficult to see the Cottagers breaking their miserable sequence against City.

But Silva’s team has put together a good set of Premier League 2024 results and has no shortage of quality, and I expect them to contribute to an entertaining match with plenty of goals.    

 

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