You can watch Manchester City v Fulham Live online here.

Manchester City v Fulham
English Premier League
Sunday 25 October 2009
Kickoff: 15:00 BST

For all their attacking talents, City have actually scored fewer goals (16) in their first eight games than at this stage of last season (20). However, the key stat for Manchester City is that Mark Hughes’s men have not thrown away any points from a leading position this season. If they score first, it could be game over (and is a great betting tip as well).

Fulham have the odd statistic of scoring 38% of their league goals this season from outside the box – more than any other side – but in Shay Given they have a world-class keeper in the opposition who will surely be able to deal with any long-range threats.

This is Fulham’s third game in six days, and the fatigue will undoubtedly play a role.

Manchester City Preview

For all their vast riches and attacking firepower, City have actually scored fewer goals at this stage of the season than they had last year.

But progress under Mark Hughes is going well and with fixtures against Fulham, Birmingham and Burnley to come, they will be confident of laying down a marker to the Big Four.

Man City are optimistic Kolo Toure and Craig Bellamy will return after missing last week’s draw with Wigan. Emmanuel Adebayor faces a late test on an ankle knock, but Robinho has suffered a setback in his recovery from a stress fracture and will be out for another two weeks at least.

Fulham Preview

Fulham are set to recall a host of players who were rested for Thursday’s match with Roma. The Cottagers remain without Simon Davies (ankle), Andrew Johnson (shoulder) and Dickson Etuhu (knee).

Fulham came within a hair’s breadth of a historic victory against Serie A giants Roma on Thursday, a real indicator of how far they have come under the stewardship of Roy Hodgson.

Notoriously bad travellers, the Cottagers won a mere eight away matches in the past four Premier League seasons, but they usually travel to the blue half of Manchester in good heart as remarkably three of out those wins have come at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Their most famous win there in recent times came in April 2008 when, 2-0 down and staring relegation flush in the face, Diomansy Kamara netted a last-gasp winner. They went on to win their last two games and stayed up on goal difference.

City took the spoils in September’s Carling Cup encounter at Eastlands, but Roy Hodgson is sure to pick a stronger team this time round and the club will hope they will be backed by a more sizeable contingent than the mere 91 fans that travelled north that day.

Manchester City v Fulham Prediction

City have won their last six Premier League home games, and 12 out of the last 13. Their only reversal in this period came at the hands of Fulham.

Fulham have won three of their last four trips to Manchester City in the Premier League.

If anyone can beat Manchester City at home then, it would seem to be Fulham. But this City side seems to have too much about them to allow Fulham even an inch, and after impressive performances against Manchester United and Arsenal, these are the types of games City need to win to make a concerted push for a Champions League spot finish.

With fatigue possibly playing a role and City capable of playing at a high tempo, Fulham might end of losing this game thanks to their hard work on Thursday night against Roma.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Fulham

You can watch Manchester City v Fulham Live online here.

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