Manchester City are back on the top of the pile after a nervy and hard-fought win over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. There was widespread concern regarding the sorry state of the pitch and while both sets of players avoided any sort of injury, the quality of the game was a direct result of the pitch conditions.
But Pep will not be complaining much after the game. A clean sheet and another confidence boosting goal for Riyad Mahrez is good news for the Sky Blues ahead of a busy schedule. They play Fulham, Southampton, Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester United, West Ham United and Lyon in November.
Though a game against a Premier League opposition might not have been the most ideal draw, City play at home and Fulham are struggling big time since their promotion.
Pep will make a number of changes but the options at his disposal mean that whatever starting XI he chooses will be stronger than most Premier League first-choice teams.
TEAM NEWS
Pep has got a boost with most of the injured players back in training but it will be interesting to see whether Pep risks the likes of Fabian Delph, Ilkay Gundogan and Danilo in this game.
With even Mangala back in training, it leaves only Claudio Bravo as a long-term absentee.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY LINEUP VS FULHAM (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Muric is expected to start in goal. Ederson has been terrific once more this season but he will get a deserved rest tomorrow.
Danilo might just get the nod to start at right-back and the Brazilian will be desperate to get minutes under his belt after a stop-start year and a half.
Laporte and Stones will get a well-deserved rest. Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi are likely to start in their place.
In the left-back slot, Zinchenko should get a start. The Ukrainian will be eager to impress ahead of a crucial January transfer window.
MIDFIELD
We expect Fabian Delph to get a start in midfield in place of the over-worked Fernandinho. The Englishman has played in the position before and fitness permitting should be able to do a fine job once again.
Phil Foden is likely to get a start in midfield. Another opportunity to impress and fans will hope he can catch Pep’s eye once again. Kevin de Bruyne has played a few minutes since returning from injury and is lined up for a start against Fulham.
ATTACK
Leroy Sane is backed to start on the left wing with Riyad Mahrez getting another opportunity to nail down a role on the right. Raheem Sterling deserves a day off.
Sergio Aguero is also expected to be on the bench and Gabriel Jesus will start in his place looking to get back his scoring touch.
