Thursday night sees Manchester City host Premier League strugglers Fulham at the Etihad Stadium in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
City have won three out of the last five editions of the competition, most recently seeing off Arsenal 3-0 in last season’s final. They beat Oxford United by the same score last month to reach the fourth round.
Fulham entered the competition at the second round stage, beating Exeter City 2-0 at Craven Cottage, before navigating a tricky away tie against Millwall in the third round to set up their clash with the Premier League Champions.
Read on for Manchester City vs Fulham live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats, and TV channel info.
When is Manchester City vs Fulham?
Competition: Carabao Cup
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Date: Thursday, 1 October
Kick-off: 7.45pm GMT
Match preview
Although both sides will likely have their eye on their league form, for vastly contrasting reasons, this tie still presents plenty of opportunities for Manchester City and Fulham.
For the hosts, it is a chance to continue the absolutely scintillating form which has seen them fly to the top of the Premier League without being beaten and having conceded just three goals in 10 games, smashing in 27 at the other end.
For Fulham, this is the most daunting of tasks. The Cottagers have won just once in 10 league games this season and have shipped a Premier League-high 28 goals in the league so far – the joint-most after 10 games in the competition’s history. However, if they were to pick up a most unlikely positive result at the Etihad, it could finally kick-start a season that many tipped them to fare well in.
Don’t hold your breath, though – City haven’t lost to Fulham since 2009 and have scored 19 goals in their last six meetings with Thursday’s opponents.
Where can I watch live?
Manchester City v Fulham has not been selected for live TV coverage in the UK.
The game will be available to watch on fuboTV.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about fuboTV
Will Kevin De Bruyne start?
Kevin De Bruyne shocked everyone with his rapid recovery from a torn knee ligament, returning to action as a substitute against Burnley on the 20th of October.
The Belgian ace also came off the bench in City’s 1-0 win over Tottenham on Monday night but is yet to start a game since his return.
However, that could all change against Fulham. Guardiola’s side have a very busy schedule on the horizon and he may see this game, against a side that has been slated for an apparent inability to defend, as the perfect opportunity to give De Bruyne a start and build his confidence back.
Why has this talented Fulham team been so bad?
Before the start of the season, Fulham and Wolves were both tipped as promoted sides that would have no problem adjusting to life in the Premier League.
For Wolves, that has been just the case. For Fulham, nothing could be further from the truth. No side has a worse defensive record this season. Their shipping of 28 goals in 10 games is nothing short of monumental and Slavisa Jokanovic has to find a settled goalkeeper and defensive unit quickly if he is to salvage the Cottagers’ campaign.
The Serbian tactician has relentlessly rotated his goalkeepers, with Marcus Bettinelli, Fabri and Sergio Rico all appearing between the sticks already this season.
This has bred uncertainty into a shaky Fulham defence, which has seen a multitude of rotations itself, with Callum Chambers, Maxime Le Marchand, Tim Ream, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Alfie Mawson all being swapped, changed and pulled out of all recognition throughout this season.
After becoming the first newly-promoted side to spend more than £100m in the transfer window, much more was expected.
Which young Man City talents will Guardiola use?
With two Champions League ties and a Manchester derby coming up for City, Pep Guardiola will have no choice but to rest some of his star players.
The Catalonian will undoubtedly see this League Cup tie as the perfect chance to do that, while giving some of the Citizens’ more raw talents a chance to shine. Gabriel Jesus is likely to start up front and will want to fill his boots to remind City fans that he really can challenge Sergio Aguero for that leading striker role.
Leroy Sane was a sensation in City’s record-breaking title win last season but has struggled to hold down a starting berth during this campaign. However, the German international has still managed an impressive two goals and three assists so far and is surely in-line to try and add to that against a volatile Fulham defence.
One youngster that City fans will want to see in the starting line-up more than any other on Thursday is their very own Phil Foden. Pep Guardiola has often come in for criticism over Foden’s lack of playing time, but when you consider the attacking midfielder is still only 18-years-0ld, the fact that he has been able to challenge the likes of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne for any minutes at all is an impressive achievement.
Guardiola is well aware of Foden’s talents and Thursday could give him the chance to show what he can do against Premier League opposition.
Head-to-head
The first-ever meeting between Manchester City and Fulham came in 1908 in the form of a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup.
The two clubs have faced each other another 63 times since, with the Citizens coming out on top with 31 wins to Fulham’s 17.
And, as previously mentioned, the Premier League champions have more than ruled the roost in this fixture in recent times, with Fulham not registering a win over City since 2009.
The last two meetings between the two sides have both been played at the Etihad: Man City have scored eight without reply – a run that stretches to 13 goals when taking into account their last four home matches against Fulham.
Manchester City wins: 31
Draws: 16
Fulham wins: 17
Team news
German international Ilkay Gundogan is a doubt as he is still suffering from a hamstring injury sustained in the Champions League against Hoffenheim, whilst Danilo is also struggling to recover from a knock.
Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo remains a long-term absentee after rupturing a tendon in his left foot earlier in the season.
For Fulham, Joe Bryan is the only doubt as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, while Kevin McDonald will serve a one-match suspension after receiving two yellow cards in their defeat against Bournemouth.
Predicted Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Delph; Fernandinho, Foden, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Jesus, Sane.
Fulham predicted XI: Sergio Rico; Fosu-Mensah, Chambers, Ream, Le Marchand; Zambo Anguissa, Seri; Sessegnon, Schurrle, Kamara; Mitrovic.
Predictions and betting tips
1. Over 4.5 goals @ 7/5
This is a clash between the Premier League’s highest scores and leakiest defence. City have been ruthless in attack this season, while Fulham seem to have the defensive capability of a sieve. However, when you consider that the Cottagers have the likes of Mitrovic, Sessegnon and Schurrle in their armoury, goals are all-but guaranteed in this one.
Tip: Manchester City v Fulham to have more than 4.5 goals @ 7/5 with BetBull – Bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (01/11/18, 11:00 GMT)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.Org
2. Andre Schurrle to score at any time @ 4/1
The German international has one of the truest strikes in the Premier League and will be absolutely vital if Fulham are to progress further in the League Cup and avoid relegation come the end of the season.
Schurrle already has three goals in eight games for the Cottagers this season and is more than capable of pulling a rabbit out of the hat at the Etihad – 4/1 is a handsome price.
Tip: Andre Schurrle to score at any time @ 4/1 with BetBull – Bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (01/11/18, 11:00 GMT)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.Org
3. Fulham to score first and Manchester City to win @ 11/2
With Fulham being much stronger in attack than they are at the back and Pep Guardiola likely to make changes to his side, there is every chance that the Cottagers forward talent could catch the Premier League champions off-guard.
However, as City’s stars warm to the game, they will eventually overrun a Fulham side whose confidence is threadbare and secure their place in the next round.
Tip: Fulham to score first and Manchester City to win @ 6/1 with BetBull – Bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (01/11/18, 11:00 GMT)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.Org
Search squawkagaming on BetBull to follow all our tips for Manchester City vs Fulham and more.
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