Fulham visit Manchester as City Return to League Season
- By A.D. Winn on February 26, 2011 18:47 GMT
Manchester City put FA Cup and Europa League progress to one side by welcoming Premier League opponents Fulham to Eastlands, as they attempt to close a seven-point gap between themselves and second place.
Fixtures are beginning to pile up for the Citizens, as they remain in close contention for three major trophies in Roberto Mancini’s first full season in charge. Having progressed past Aris in Europe and with Aston Villa waiting in their delayed FA Cup match on Wednesday, a win against 15th placed Fulham would put them in good stead with the end of the season coming into view.
Defender Vincent Kompany should have shaken off a hip knock in time to feature for the match, though Kolo Toure is ready to step in should Mancini choise to rest the Belgian international.
Micah Richards (calf) and James Milner (hamstring) are unlikely to feature. Given, De Jong and Johnson are definitely out.
City’s multi-million pound strike force of Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli are all fit and able to start.
Mark Hughes, now in charge at Fulham, will return to his old club for the first time since being dismissed as City boss back in December 2009. He will be hoping to inflict a major dent to City’s title challenge by returning to the City of Manchester Stadium and collecting three points – points that will prove vital as he attempts to keep Fulham clear of the relegation zone.
He will return with his London side in decent form – just two league defeats this year has seen his side pick up 12 points from a possible 24, which has helped them move out the bottom three.
The news from the Fulham camp is that long-term injury victim Bobby Zamora was set to feature in the match, until landing heavily on his ankle during training this past week.
Steve Sidwell will not feature until the end of April, and will be joined in the stands by defender Philippe Senderos and forward Diomansy Kamara.
Form
All Competitions:
Man City: WLDWW (12 goals for, 2 against)
Fulham: WWDDL (7 goals for, 3 against)
Premier League:
Man City: WLDWL (10 goals for, 8 against)
Fulham: WLWDD (5 goals for, 3 against)
Premier League 09/10:
Fulham 1-2 Man City
Man City 2-2 Fulham
Premier League 09/10:
Fulham 1-4 Man City
