Premier League: Can Fulham Stop the Sky Blue Juggernaut?

Manchester City vs Fulham

Marco Silva’s Fulham is the next team to face up to Premier League champions Manchester City; it’s a huge task for the Cottagers but they’ll be right up for it.

Not that being up for it is usually enough to beat the treble winners, Fulham will need to play to their best; and if they do that is a level which can trouble the top sides in the country, as Arsenal discovered last weekend. Silva’s boys took a point away from the Emirates, despite going down to ten men, and that makes it four points from three games for the Cottagers. 

The Sky Blues have picked up three wins from three and are already at the top of the Premier League table; and they are fully expected to see off the Londoners. And they have a player who has hit superb form in the first three games.           

Talking Points

Rodri can dominate any midfield  

The Premier League 2023 betting odds have dropped the price on a Sky Blues title to 1.45 already, following wins over Burnley, Newcastle United and Sheffield United. And sure as night follows day, the goal-scoring machine Erling Braut Haaland has already scored three goals. But the man who has received the most enthusiastic plaudits at the Etihad is midfield general Rodri. 

The Spain star scored the goal which won the 2023 Champions League for the Sky Blues, hitting the only goal of the final against Inter Milan. He is not a prolific scorer, with just one goal in 43 internationals but he has bagged 16 for his club from 141 games, and two already this season. He scored the killer goal in Manchester City’s opening day win over Burnley and he was on target again last weekend. The Sky Blues didn’t exactly coast through their match with Sheffield United but it was a major shock when Jaden Bogle equalised for the Blades with just five minutes remaining. Haaland had missed a penalty and then scored the opener; and once they had been pegged back the Sky Blues flew into action again and Rodri sent an unstoppable rocket into the Sheffield net.

He’s better known for his passing range, driving runs, positional sense and clean tackling and, now that he has added goals to his game, Rodri is one of the every best midfield players in the world.     

While Pep Guardiola recovers from his back surgery Juanma Lillo will be in the dugout for the Sky Blues; but the caretaker has plenty of leaders on the field to help him, not least his Spanish star. 

Fulham searching for consistency 

The Cottagers have had a full set of Premier League 2023 results over their first three games.  A 1-0 win at Everton and a 2-2 draw away to Arsenal were punctuated by a 3-0 loss at home to Brentford; two strong performances and a day to forget and, while it will be difficult to take anything from the Etihad Stadium, Silva will be determined to ensure his team doesn’t roll over again. Consistency is hard to come by but, once it is achieved, it will guarantee success. 

The loss of Aleksandar Mitrovic to Al-Hilal means that goals may be harder to come by, but the signings of Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore from Wolves will give the Cottagers more muscle up front. The man who can make the difference for Fulham, though, is midfield ace Joao Palhinha. After another new recruit, Calvin Bassey, was red carded against Arsenal with the score at 2-1, Palhinha was the man on the spot to make it 2-2 late in the game. 

He had a superb debut Premier League campaign last season and is one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the competition. His tussle with Rodri could be the key battle in this match.     

History

Manchester City have had much the better of their meetings with Fulham, winning 24 of their 36 encounters since the turn of the century while Fulham have won four matches and there have been 12 draws. 

Guardiola’s team won both meetings by a 2-1 score line last season and the Sky Blues are unbeaten in 12 matches at home to the Cottagers; and it is difficult to make a case for the visitors to the Etihad this weekend.    

Betting Tip

Manchester City are at odds of 1.15 to win this match, with the Cottagers at 12.04 and the draw is at 5.99. Fulham have plenty of quality in their team and are coming to terms with life after Mitrovic, but I think this is a step to far for Silva’s men.  

A 2-0 win for City at SBOTOP odds of 5.99 is the most likely outcome and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Haaland to score again…or maybe Rodri!     

 

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