Man City v Fulham preview, predictions & confirmed XIs as Phil Foden gets the nod
Manchester City welcome Fulham for a place in this season’s FA Cup fifth round.
The defending champions were made to sweat against Port Vale last time out, but would ultimately run out 4-1 winners.
Fulham, meanwhile, knocked out Premier League outfit Aston Villa and meet City in the world’s oldest football tournament for the first time since 1908.
Read on for our Man City v Fulham preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Man City vs Fulham and where can I watch live?
Competition: FA Cup
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Date: Sunday, 26 January 2020
Kick-off: 1:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): Live on BBC One and online via the BBC website.
Last five meetings: Man City vs Fulham
30 March 2019: Fulham 0-2 Man City (Premier League)
1 November 2018: Man City 2-0 Fulham (League Cup)
15 September 2018: Man City 3-0 Fulham (Premier League)
22 March 2014: Man City 5-0 Fulham (Premier League)
21 December 2013: Fulham 2-4 Man City (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Man City (WWWWW) 16-2 Fulham (LLLLL)
Ones to watch
Man City: Phil Foden
Phil Foden has featured prominently under Pep Guardiola this season with a view to him becoming David Silva’s long-term successor as the Spaniard will say goodbye to Man City in the summer.
The would-be England international midfielder has chipped in with five assists and three goals across 22 matches.
Key stat: Phil Foden has scored four goals across his last four FA Cup appearances.
Fulham: Ivan Cavaleiro
Fulham’s primary objective this season is promotion and helping their cause towards an immediate Premier League return is Serbian marksman Aleksandar Mitrovic who is responsible for 43% of their Championship goals.
However, he’ll be missing from this weekend, meaning the onus will be on their other leading attackers such as Ivan Cavaleiro who is also Fulham’s leading assist-maker (six).
Key stat: Only Aleksandar Mitrovic (19) has been involved in more Championship goals for Fulham than Ivan Cavaleiro (12) this season.
Team news
Man City
Aymeric Laporte made his comeback from a lengthy spell on the sidelines against Sheffield United at the week and it remains to be seen if Pep Guardiola deploys him to further accelerate his return to optimum performance.
Introducing today's line up! 🥁
XI | Bravo, Cancelo, Garcia, Otamendi, Angelino, Gundogan, Silva (C), Foden, Bernardo, Mahrez, Jesus
SUBS | Ederson, Stones, Sterling, Aguero, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, De Bruyne.
📋 @HaysWorldwide
🔵 #MCIFUL pic.twitter.com/4NH0rUjjyz— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 26, 2020
Leroy Sané remains sidelined whilst Claudio Bravo should return in goal. Phil Foden, Ilkay Gündogan, Bernardo Silva and João Cancelo could all start.
Confirmed XI: Bravo; Cancelo, Garcia, Otamendi, Angelino; Gundogan, D Silva, Foden, B Silva, Mahrez; Jesus.
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Fulham
Scott Parker has no fewer than five players missing as he takes his Fulham side up to Manchester this weekend. Among those ruled out are top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic and winger Anthony Knockaert.
Here’s how we line up for today’s #EmiratesFACup tie…
⚽️ @KongoloTerence makes his debut.
⚽️ @_StevenSess, @stefanjohansen and @cyruschristie in the XI. pic.twitter.com/30EcE66ls6— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 26, 2020
He’s expected to make few changes from the side that began in their goalless draw at Charlton.
Confirmed XI: Rodak; Hector, Johansen, Ream, Decordova-Reid, Kongolo; Cavaleiro, Christie, Bryan, Onomah, Sessegnon.
Squawka prediction
No matter the personnel Guardiola selects this weekend it should prove to be a great challenge for Fulham who have nothing to lose as their main target this season is returning Premier League football back to Craven Cottage. Expect the holders to ease their way into the fifth round.
