Game Week 7 Predictions: Manchester City to beat Fulham

Manchester City host Fulham at the Etihad. Can Fulham halt the champions' momentum, or will Haaland and co. continue their dominant run?

Manchester City seeks to go into the break with a bang, they must go through Fulham to achieve that. (Photo credit: Google)

 Manchester City vs. Fulham

Etihad Stadium

3:00pm

The Champions took full charge in Europe on Tuesday night, scoring four and conceding none to move up the ladder after a home draw in their opening European game.

Pep Guardiola is exhausted of answering the Rodri question; he trusts his players to step up in the absence of the mercurial midfielder who could be out for the rest of the season. This is where the trio of Matteo Kovacic, Rico Lewis, and Matheus Nunes come in.

Fulham is proving to be the surprise team of this season, eleven points from a possible eighteen, sitting pretty in sixth and ready to mix it with the big boys; Marco Silva is driving the team forward quietly; will they halt the champions’ moving train?

Back-to-back league wins against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest left many wondering if the Lilywhites could go all the way and finish in European places. We’ve seen the likes of Brighton and West Ham do it in the past; can Fulham do it?

Erling Haaland is incredibly notorious upfront; he is the leading scorer with three hattricks already this season. His teammates are exhausted of signing his match balls; is he in line to hand them markers again at the Etihad against Fulham?

How will Fulham line up? Following Marc Andre Ter Stegen's long-term injury, Bernd Leno is vying for a spot in the German starting lineup. He has been impressive, but he must be prepared to face lots of shots on Saturday at the Etihad.

The visitors' entire back four needs to maintain discipline, as their hosts often concede goals. Although the Lilywhites won't have many opportunities, they must seize them when they do. Emile Smith Rowe will once again be immense.

For the hosts, there’s no Kevin De Bruyne, but Guardiola expects him back after the break, so Phil Foden is expected to bring his European form to the domestic front. Bernardo Silva is the man who makes everything tick; this game suits him more.

Savinho and Jeremy Doku are two wide options; there’s also Jack Grealish, who is gradually working his way back into the City fold after injuries. Haaland is still the man to focus on. It will be fun, but it’s hard to see past a dominant city win.

Verdict: Manchester City to win.