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Manchester City-Fulham Preview: A Must Win

By J.C. Gonzalez

PORTO, PORTUGAL - DECEMBER 01: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City reacts after scoring his team's first goal that was later disallowed during the UEFA Champions League Group C stage match between FC Porto and Manchester City at Estadio do Dragao on December 01, 2020 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL - DECEMBER 01: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City reacts after scoring his team's first goal that was later disallowed during the UEFA Champions League Group C stage match between FC Porto and Manchester City at Estadio do Dragao on December 01, 2020 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City host Fulham trying to get their title challenge on track.

With Manchester City languishing in the lower half of the table nearly a quarter of the way through the season, the Citizens have to get things on track. Burnley last week was a real turning point, as they finally put in a trademark big result, but immediately followed it up with a sleepy midweek performance that has come to define the team this season.

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With Fulham at home up next, City must get all three points. While its difficult and too early to label any match as “must win”, the team will not have many easier results on paper this season. Given the start to the campaign, anything less than three points could continue a worrying trend: not only could City not win the title, they may not even compete for it.

Fulham’s defense has been shaky, conceding 19 goals in 10 games, the worst rate in the Premier League. Although City had seriously struggled to find the back of the net for most of the season, the Burnley win could provide the spark needed to put up another big result as a signal of intent for the former champions. With a busy December period under way, this represents a real opportunity for City to start to make up some ground on leaders Tottenham and the rest of the contenders. Overall, this is a very important game for City, and one where three points are absolutely required.

Predicted XI: Ederson (GK), Kyle Walker (RB), Rúben Dias (CB), Aymeric Laporte (CB), Benjamin Mendy (LB), Rodri (CDM), Bernardo Silva (CAM), Kevin De Bruyne (CAM), Riyad Mahrez (RW), Gabriel Jesus (ST), Raheem Sterling (LW)