This Saturday, City welcome Fulham to the Etihad for a Premier League clash that will influence the top and bottom of the league. All City need to do to claim their second league title in three years is to keep on winning. Felix Magath earned his first win as Fulham head coach with a 1-0 triumph over Newcastle United last weekend, ending the club's nine-match win less streak in the league. But City will pose an altogether more difficult challenge.
Team News
Sergio Aguero will miss this clash, but fellow forward Stevan Jovetic could return from a hamstring problem of his own. Captain Vincent Kompany, who scored at both ends in City's 4-2 win at Craven Cottage in December, is banned after being sent off at Hull City last week and fellow defenders Matija Nastasic (knee) and Micah Richards (muscle injury) are doubtful. So Lescott is likely to start.
Fulham are still without a number of key players for the game. New signing Kostas Mitroglou is out with a knee injury. Midfielder Ashkan Dejagah scored the winning goal last week, but later picked up an groin injury and will miss the game. Dan Burn and Damien Duff will also be missing with muscle and knee injuries. Midfielder Scott Parker is still not fit to return after spending some time out on the side-lines with a knee problem. Midfielder Giorgos Karagounis faces a late fitness test after suffering from a muscle injury. Cauley Woodrow may continue to start up front.
Key Men
David Silva put in a great performance in City’s last game against Hull last weekend. After going down to 10 men, Silva continued to be bright and scored a fantastic goal. Many have taken for granted David Silva’s importance in this City side. Silva has made 18 Premier League appearances this season. In these games he has contributed 8 assists and created a chance every 22 minutes for his team mates.
Lewis Holtby's move to Fulham has seen him gain confidence week on week and show the qualities that he possesses. Since moving to Fulham, Holtby has scored once and managed two assists. That is equal to the amount he managed in his 12 months as a Spurs player. Holtby has been trying to make things happen at Fulham with 34% of his attempted passes going forward. He has been employed in the number 10 role by Felix Magath and he has fit in to the Fulham set up well so far.
Stats
- City are unbeaten against Fulham in the Premier League since April 2009, a run spanning 9 games.
- There has not been a 0-0 draw in the last 19 Premier League matches between the two sides.
- City have won each of the last 21 competitive matches that Spanish midfielder David Silva has found the net in.
- City have only once previously had more points after 27 Premier League games than their current haul of 60 and that was 66 in 2011-12 when they won the title.
- City have the best chance conversion in the Premier League scoring with 19.2% of their shots at goal.
- Fulham have won one of their last 11 Premier League away matches (W1 D2 L8).
- Fulham have scored nine goals from corners this season, more than any other team in the top flight.