Manchester City v Fulham: Premier League match preview

A look ahead at this weekend’s Barclays Premier League matchup between Manchester City and Fulham at the Etihad Stadium

Jesus Navas of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Capital One Cup Final between Manchester City and Sunderland at Wembley Stadium (Getty)

As we enter the 31st week of this season’s campaign, things at either end of the table are starting to heat up. This weekend sees bottom of the league Fulham traveling 200 miles north to visit title contenders Manchester City.

Fulham will be coming into the match hoping for a different outcome from the reverse fixture last year, which saw them concede two late goals costing them a share of the points in West London.

Since the appointment of Felix Magath in mid-February, they have shown signs of improvement. Despite only picking up 4 points out of a possible 15 the cottagers will go to the Etihad knowing the firepower of City is showing signs of stalling. Coming off a Champions League and an FA cup exit in the previous two weeks, City are fully aware that they only have the Premier League title in their sights.

Manchester City will be without influential captain Vincent Kompany for this weekends match up after his sending off away at Hull last weekend, while Sergio Aguero is injured.. However the team from West London will be welcoming back on loan German under 21 international Lewis Holtby back into there squad.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3:00PM

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

21/12/2013 Fulham 2 (Richardson, Kompany OG) - Manchester City 4 (Yaya Touré, Kompany, Jesús Navas, Milner)

19/1/2013 Manchester City 2 (David Silva 2) – Fulham 0

29/9/2012 Fulham 1 (Petric, pen) – Manchester City 2 (Aguero, Dzeko)

STATS:

Fulham has not successful gained maximum points against City since April 12 2009.

Aguero and Negrado (24) have scored more goals this season than the whole Fulham team combined (22)

Fulham have managed just one clean sheet in their 23 Premier League games against City and none in the last 19 meetings.

Darren Bent has scored seven Premier League goals against Man City in his career, only against Bolton (11) has he been more prolific.

ODDS:

Manchester City to win - 0.15

Draw – 8.0

Fulham to win – 14.0

TV: Highlights of the match can be seen on BBC’s Match of the day at 10:30 on BBC 1.