Premier League
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Played
February 4, 2012 5:30 PM GMT
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee:‬ M. Dean‎
Attendance:‬ 46963‎
 
10′ (PG) Kun Agüero
 
30′ (OG) Chris Baird
 
72′ Edin Dzeko
 

Manchester City - Fulham Preview: Roberto Mancini's men have won 16 consecutive games at home in the Premier League

The Eastlands club are also on an undefeated run of 21 home games in the league, but the last time they failed to win a game at the Etihad Stadium was against Fulham last year

By Adithya Ananth

More On :  Fulham, Manchester City, Manchester City vs Fulham

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY

Hart
Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy
Nasri, Milner, Barry, Silva
Dzeko, Aguero
FULHAM

Stockdale
Kelly, Senderos, Hangeland, Riise
Davies, Murphy, Baird, Duff
Dempsey
Ruiz
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini cannot call upon Mario Balotelli for this match, since the striker is serving a suspension after being charged with violent conduct following the stamp on Scott Parker. Kolo and Yaya Toure are also unavailable for this clash since the duo are on international duty at the African Cup of Nations.

Fulham boss Martin Jol cannot field Andy Johnson in this game due to the forward being sidelined with a groin injury. Steve Sidwell (groin) is out of action as well, and he will join the striker in the treatment room.

Meanwhile, Orlando Sa sustained a hamstring injury during a reserve outing and is doubtful for this match, while new signing Pavel Pogrebnyak will not be able to take part since the Corragers are still waiting on his work permit.

Mark Schwarzer is believed to have recovered from his back injury, and could be a part of the squad for this fixture.


 DID YOU KNOW?
  • Manchester City have scored more goals than any other team in the Premier League, having hit the back of the net 60 times in 23 games.
  • They also have the stingiest defence in the top-flight, having condeded only 19 goals so far.
  • The last time that Roberto Mancini's men did not win a home game in the league was when they last met Fulham at Eastlands. The Cottagers took a point in February last year, after Damien Duff's goal cancelled out Mario Balotelli's opener.
  • City have since won 16 matches on the trot at home, keeping 10 clean sheets in the process.
  • Fulham are traditionally poor on their travels, and have now gone eight games without a win away from home in all competitions.
  • Neither City nor the Cottagers have kept a clean sheet in the last 15 league clashes between the two clubs.
  • If all matches ended at half-time, Jol's men would have been in 15th position, while the home side would have been in second place, five points behind Manchester United.
  • Fulham have also been unable to beat City in the last five league meetings between the two sides, but have drawn on three occasions.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Manchester City 3-0 Fulham
    12.96 %
  • Manchester City 3-1 Fulham
    11.96 %
  • Manchester City 2-0 Fulham
    10.84 %
Head to Head
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 4 Feb 2012 Manchester City 3 - Fulham 0
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 18 Sep 2011 Fulham 2 - Manchester City 2
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 27 Feb 2011 Manchester City 1 - Fulham 1
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 21 Nov 2010 Fulham 1 - Manchester City 4
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 21 Mar 2010 Fulham 1 - Manchester City 2
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Last Five Matches
Manchester City
13 May 2012Manchester City 3 - QPR 2EPL
6 May 2012Newcastle United 0 - Manchester City 2EPL
30 Apr 2012Manchester City 1 - Manchester United 0EPL
22 Apr 2012Wolves 0 - Manchester City 2EPL
14 Apr 2012Norwich City 1 - Manchester City 6EPL
Fulham
13 May 2012Tottenham 2 - Fulham 0EPL
6 May 2012Fulham 2 - Sunderland 1EPL
1 May 2012Liverpool 0 - Fulham 1EPL
28 Apr 2012Everton 4 - Fulham 0EPL
21 Apr 2012Fulham 2 - Wigan Athletic 1EPL
Odds
Returns: Manchester City £13.40 188bet Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game
Returns: Draw £290.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Fulham £670.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Team News
Available Squads
25Joe HartGoalkeeper
2Micah RichardsDefender
6Joleon LescottDefender
13Aleksandar KolarovDefender
15Stefan SavicDefender
11Adam JohnsonMidfielder
18Gareth BarryMidfielder
19Samir NasriMidfielder
21David SilvaStriker
10Edin DzekoStriker
16Kun AgüeroStriker
30Costel PantilimonGoalkeeper
5Pablo ZabaletaDefender
22Gael ClichyDefender
44Karim RekikDefender
7James MilnerMidfielder
34Nigel De JongMidfielder
8David PizarroMidfielder
1Mark SchwarzerGoalkeeper
2Stephen KellyDefender
5Brede HangelandDefender
6Chris BairdDefender
14Philippe SenderosDefender
13Danny MurphyMidfielder
16Damien DuffMidfielder
20Dickson EtuhuMidfielder
23Clint DempseyMidfielder
29Simon DaviesMidfielder
30Moussa DembeleStriker
12David StockdaleGoalkeeper
7John Arne RiiseDefender
18Aaron HughesDefender
10Pajtim KasamiMidfielder
15Marcel GecovMidfielder
21Kerim FreiMidfielder
11Bryan RuizStriker
Players to Watch
Kun Agüero
Kun Agüero
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 16
Games Goals YC RC
34 23 2 0
Sergio Aguero has done well for himself this season, and will only be looking ahead as City continue to maintain their status as the league leaders. But for that to continue, the Argentine will know that his own performances will also need to be top-notch.
Brede Hangeland
Brede Hangeland
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 5
Games Goals YC RC
38 0 0 0

Brede Hangeland will have to put in a strong performance on Saturday, since the Cottagers are playing away from home against the most prolific side in the Premier League. So if the visitors are to take away anything from the game, their defence will have to hold strong at all costs.

Prediction

Manchester City are leading the pack at the moment and should have no significant trouble picking up three points and keeping a clean sheet on the day. They may have struggled on their travels, but have truly made the Etihad Stadium one of the most difficult grounds to travel to in the Premier League.

Editor's Prediction
Manchester City 2
Fulham 0
Results
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Player   Goals Penalties
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Arsenal 		30 2
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Tottenham 		17 3