20 November 2010, Craven Cottage
Kick Off: 4pm
With all the media fuss this week surrounding Manchester City and their brand of defensive football you would be forgiven for thinking that the club currently sits a lot lower in the table than fourth spot. A point at home to Birmingham City last weekend was disappointing considering that City enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and chances but, with Champions League qualification the number one priority at the start of the season, Mancini’s side remain perfectly on course.
This weekend they travel to Fulham who are of course managed by Mancini’s predecessor at Eastlands, Mark Hughes. The Welshman’s side have only won twice this season, though both of those victories came at home.
There was good news for City on Friday with confirmation that Joe Hart has overcome a back injury sustained while training for England midweek and will keep his place in goal, but Mario Balotelli is absent again as he serves the final game of a three match suspension for his red card against West Brom.
Carlos Tevez edges closer to full fitness and with Balotelli definitely out and Emmanuel Adebayor struggling to overcome a heel injury, the Argentine will need to be firing on all cylinders.
However, City defender Micah Richards has refuted claims that the side are over reliant on the man who has scored 30 goals in 44 league games since joining the club in the summer of 2009.
“Carlos is a striker, he scores goals. Adam Johnson is a provider, so he provides, along with David Silva,” he said.
“(Nigel) De Jong and Gareth Barry do the running around for the team, so everyone has a job. Sometimes we get called a one-man team, but there are other players in the team who do a fantastic job as well.
“We need to score a few more goals but we have had three clean sheets in our last three games, so we are happy and are moving in the right direction.”
Tevez himself is really looking forward to facing his old boss at a ground where he has enjoyed playing in the past.
“Things have always gone well for me on a personal level at Craven Cottage so I always feel confident when I play there,” he said.
“It’s a traditional English ground with a great atmosphere and I know we’ll have a lot of our supporters there so we need to go to Fulham thinking only of winning. I feel we are close to finding our form and I believe when we play at our best and find some consistency, we’ll win five or six in a row and really challenge the teams above us.”
Winger Adam Johnson has committed his future to the club after midweek reports that he was frustrated with the role of perennial substitute and considering a move elsewhere.
“It would be stupid to want to leave,” he said.
“In an ideal world, I’d play every game to help the club succeed. Hopefully we’ll start the ball rolling and win something this season. I just want to play my part and make everyone happy.”
For the hosts, defender Carlos Salcido returns from injury while Chris Baird is also hoping to feature after missing the last two games with a thigh strain.
However, forward Moussa Dembele will be out of action for about three weeks after damaging ankle ligaments.
Match Odds:
Fulham: 12/5
Draw: 9/4
City: 7/5
The smart money here would be on a draw given Fulham have shared the spoils on eight occasions already this season, and seven of the last 14 meetings between the two sides have also ended in a stalemate.
Key Players:
Fulham – Clint Dempsey
The American international has become a real fans’ favourite at Craven Cottage and it’s not difficult to see why. The 27 year old has been at Fulham since 2007 and averages a goal every five games from midfield, with four to his name already this season. Dempsey poses a tricky prospect for opposition managers and defences as he likes to make runs from deep and is dangerous both on the ground and in the air. Given a sight of goal you would fancy him to score so Nigel De Jong will be important in terms of shutting him down.
Manchester City – David Silva
It’s becoming a cliché at this stage to say that City are nothing without Carlos Tevez but David Silva is fast becoming just as important to the team. The Spaniard has found his feet in the Premier League despite early doubts surrounding his diminutive stature and the physical requirements needed to succeed in England. His vision and range of passing are exceptional, with City fans now enjoying their first real playmaker since Eyal Berkovic and Ali Benarbia lit up Maine Road. Fulham are a solid side at the back and if City are to break them down then you can be sure that Silva will be one of the primary architects.
Prediction:
Fulham 0
Manchester City 2 (Tevez, A. Johnson)
Thanks go to Xavi6 of ManCityFans.Net for writing this preview