City make two changes for Sunday afternoon’s Premier League trip to Fulham with Julian Alvarez and Riyad Mahrez both coming into the starting line-up.
Kevin De Bruyne, who started for us in our spectacular 4-1 victory against Arsenal last week,
is not included in the matchday roster because of his insufficient fitness.
Bernardo Silva, who also began the match against the Gunners, switches to the bench.
TEAMS
FULHAM: Leno, Tete, Ream (C), Tosin, Robinson, Reed, Palhinha, Andreas, Decordova-Reid, Vinicius, Wilson.
Subs: Rodak, Duffy, Cedric, Diop, Cairney, Lukic, Kebano, Solomon, James.
CITY: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Akanji, Rodrigo, Gundogan (c), Mahrez, Grealish, Alvarez, Haaland.
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Phillips, Laporte, Bernardo, Gomez, Perrone, Foden, Lewis.
TACTICS
Ederson will be a familiar figure in goal and looks likely to be shielded by a back four of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji.
As usual, Rodrigo will be the reassuring holding midfield pivot with skipper Ilkay Gundogan also in the engine room and, potentially,
Julian Alvarez playing slightly deeper behind the front three.
Up front, City look likely to field an attacking triumvirate with Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez operating on either flank with Erling Haaland the central attacking focal point.
However, such is City’s tactical flexibility and fluidity,
our shape and set-up could be subject to change once the game gets underway with Stones able to be deployed in midfield to great effect!
AIMING FOR THE PRIZE
Among the many benefits offered today afternoon, City will play knowing that a win would return us to the top of the standings for the first time since February 17.
With our stunning 4-1 victory over league-leading Arsenal on Wednesday at home,
The Premier League title chase is now entirely in our control.
With two critical matches left to play against Mikel Arteta’s team, City will start the match in west London two points behind the Gunners.
Since Arsenal won’t play again until Tuesday night against Chelsea,
City has the chance to intensify its pursuit of a third consecutive league championship and a fifth Premier League title.
