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Preview: Erling hunting 100th EPL goal as City visit Fulham

Preview: Erling hunting 100th EPL goal as City visit Fulham

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Erling Haaland might have frustrated more than a million fantasy managers by misfiring against Leeds, but now he faces a Fulham team he has scored six times against in six league games previously. The last time he went four appearances without a goal was Boxing Day last year – can he end this cold streak after three blanks?

By Karl Matchett

Runaway plunderer

The Norwegian striker was in outrageous scoring form almost right from the season’s first whistle, and even after failing to score against Newcastle and Leeds – plus Leverkusen in Europe – he’s still well clear at the top of the Premier League scoring charts and has more goals himself than Wolves, Nottingham Forest or Leeds do as a whole. Fulham are a side he’s enjoyed facing, too: six in six all told, including a hat-trick, plus an assist.

Haaland leads the race for the 2024/25 Golden Boot

While it can’t be said that City are struggling if Haaland doesn’t score, it is still notable that they’ve lost two of these three fixtures in which he didn’t find the back of the net, while they also needed a stoppage-time winner to see off Leeds at the weekend after throwing away a two-goal lead. If Pep Guardiola’s team are to hunt down leaders Arsenal, they need Haaland in relentless, unstoppable form – it really is that simple. When he’s in two “shots, two goals” mode, City are uncatchable – but right now they remain the chasers.

Fulham join the ‘middle class’

Nothing to do with property taxes in west London – we’re talking league table points here. Fulham’s run of three wins from four has propelled them away from the clutch of sides at the bottom and firmly into the chasing pack of…well, almost everyone else.

Leaving aside the four at the top and the five at the bottom, positions fifth to Fulham – who are 15th – are separated by just five points. Anyone finding a semblance of consistency in their form between now and the end of the year, a clutch of five fixtures, are going to fly up the table and the Cottagers might be hitting top gear at a great time. Do the opposite, of course, and the conversation can go from European football to “focus on a cup run” in double quick fashion.

Fulham’s table position going into the midweek round

Recent form

Including a cup triumph on penalties it’s four wins in Fulham’s last five, while the only teams they’ve failed to beat in the league at home this term are Man United and Arsenal. Man City have won eight of their last 11 in all competitions, but away form is much more vague – four wins in the last nine.

Team news

Antonee Robinson and Rodrigo Muniz are the only absentees for Fulham, while City remain without midfield duo Mateo Kovačić and Rodri.

Key player

Phil Foden will be a watched man again after his brace at the weekend but Jérémy Doku has been in-favour and in-form of late, having created eight big chances for City – the most in the league – and he’s also top for dribbles per 90 (4.6) among those playing at least 400 minutes.

Prediction

Fulham to frustrate City for long spells…but not quite hold on for a result: Fulham 1 Man City 2.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Erling hunting 100th EPL goal as City visit Fulham

Erling Haaland might have frustrated more than a million fantasy managers by misfiring against Leeds, but now he faces a Fulham team he has scored six times against in six league games previously. The last time he went four appearances without a goal was Boxing Day last year – can he end this cold streak after three blanks?

By Karl Matchett

Runaway plunderer

The Norwegian striker was in outrageous scoring form almost right from the season’s first whistle, and even after failing to score against Newcastle and Leeds – plus Leverkusen in Europe – he’s still well clear at the top of the Premier League scoring charts and has more goals himself than Wolves, Nottingham Forest or Leeds do as a whole. Fulham are a side he’s enjoyed facing, too: six in six all told, including a hat-trick, plus an assist.

Haaland leads the race for the 2024/25 Golden Boot

While it can’t be said that City are struggling if Haaland doesn’t score, it is still notable that they’ve lost two of these three fixtures in which he didn’t find the back of the net, while they also needed a stoppage-time winner to see off Leeds at the weekend after throwing away a two-goal lead. If Pep Guardiola’s team are to hunt down leaders Arsenal, they need Haaland in relentless, unstoppable form – it really is that simple. When he’s in two “shots, two goals” mode, City are uncatchable – but right now they remain the chasers.

Fulham join the ‘middle class’

Nothing to do with property taxes in west London – we’re talking league table points here. Fulham’s run of three wins from four has propelled them away from the clutch of sides at the bottom and firmly into the chasing pack of…well, almost everyone else.

Leaving aside the four at the top and the five at the bottom, positions fifth to Fulham – who are 15th – are separated by just five points. Anyone finding a semblance of consistency in their form between now and the end of the year, a clutch of five fixtures, are going to fly up the table and the Cottagers might be hitting top gear at a great time. Do the opposite, of course, and the conversation can go from European football to “focus on a cup run” in double quick fashion.

Fulham’s table position going into the midweek round

Recent form

Including a cup triumph on penalties it’s four wins in Fulham’s last five, while the only teams they’ve failed to beat in the league at home this term are Man United and Arsenal. Man City have won eight of their last 11 in all competitions, but away form is much more vague – four wins in the last nine.

Team news

Antonee Robinson and Rodrigo Muniz are the only absentees for Fulham, while City remain without midfield duo Mateo Kovačić and Rodri.

Key player

Phil Foden will be a watched man again after his brace at the weekend but Jérémy Doku has been in-favour and in-form of late, having created eight big chances for City – the most in the league – and he’s also top for dribbles per 90 (4.6) among those playing at least 400 minutes.

Prediction

Fulham to frustrate City for long spells…but not quite hold on for a result: Fulham 1 Man City 2.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.