The Premier League heats up on December 2, 2025, as Fulham welcome Manchester City to Craven Cottage in a clash that pits homegrown grit against title-chasing firepower. With Fulham riding high on recent wins and City aiming to close the gap on leaders Arsenal, this Fulham vs Man City showdown promises drama, goals, and tactical intrigue. Whether you’re a Cottagers fan dreaming of an upset or a City supporter eyeing another routine victory, our comprehensive match preview breaks it down: form guide, potential lineups, and bold score predictions.
Fulham’s Recent Form
Marco Silva’s Fulham have transformed into a resilient outfit, sitting 15th with 17 points from 13 games. They’ve won four of their last five home Premier League matches (W4 D0 L1), including a morale-boosting 3-0 demolition of Wolves and a gritty 2-1 away win at Tottenham. Their attack averages 2.42 goals per game, fueled by sharp transitions and set-piece threats.
However, vulnerabilities linger: Fulham have kept just three clean sheets all season and sit perilously close to the relegation zone. Injuries to Antonee Robinson (knee) and Rodrigo Muniz (hamstring) test their depth, while Harry Wilson faces a late fitness check after a thigh knock. Expect Silva to lean on home energy for a high-press start against City’s possession machine.
Manchester City’s Form
Pep Guardiola’s men are second with 25 points, but recent turbulence—losses to Aston Villa and Newcastle, plus a 2-0 Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen—has exposed away-day frailties (just two road wins from six). A dramatic 3-2 home win over Leeds, sealed by Phil Foden’s brace and late heroics, reignited momentum.
City’s attack remains lethal, averaging 2.83 goals per game with Erling Haaland’s 14 strikes leading the charge. Rodri and Mateo Kovacic remain sidelined, forcing midfield tweaks, but City’s bench depth—think Jeremy Doku’s flair and Bernardo Silva’s guile—gives them an edge. A win here pulls them within two points of Arsenal ahead of a midweek trip to Brentford.
Predicted Lineups
Fulham Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
Silva sticks to his trusted setup, emphasizing width and counter-threats. Expect Sander Berge to anchor midfield against City’s press.
- GK: Bernd Leno
- DEF: Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Ryan Sessegnon
- MID: Sander Berge, Saša Lukić (if fit; else Alex Iwobi drops deeper)
- ATT MID: Harry Wilson, Joshua King, Samuel Chukwueze
- ST: Raúl Jiménez
Manchester City Predicted XI (4-1-4-1)
Guardiola opts for fluidity, with Nico González shielding a creative engine room. Haaland leads the line, supported by pacey wingers.
- GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma
- DEF: Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly
- MID: Nico González (DM)
- ATT MID: Jeremy Doku, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva
- ST: Erling Haaland
Score Predictions: City to Edge a Goal-Fest?
City’s H2H stranglehold and firepower make them heavy favorites (8/13 odds to win), but Fulham’s home mojo and City’s away wobbles suggest goals both ways. Over 2.5 goals lands in 75% of recent H2H, with BTTS in five of seven.
Our Main Prediction: Fulham 1-3 Manchester City.
