Man City vs Fulham

The title race intensifies at the Etihad Stadium this Wednesday, February 11, 2026, as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City hosts Marco Silva’s Fulham. Kick-off is set for 19:30 GMT.

Following a dramatic 5–4 victory in the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage, City (2nd, 50 points) enters this match six points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand. Fulham (10th, 34 points) arrives as one of the league’s most unpredictable sides, capable of pushed the elite to their limits but struggling for consistency on the road.

Match Information

Manchester City: The Title Sprints Begins

City comes into this fixture buoyed by a vital 3–2 win over Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday. With Erling Haaland back in clinical form, Guardiola’s men are looking to record their fifth consecutive home win. However, the squad is being stretched by a growing list of defensive and midfield absences.

Team News and Selection:

• Injury Crisis: City will be without Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, Jeremy Doku, Savinho, and Mateo Kovacic.

• Bernardo Doubt: Bernardo Silva is a major doubt after picking up a knock at Anfield; his availability will be a late call.

• The Haaland Machine: Erling Haaland leads the Golden Boot race with 20 goals and will be looking to exploit a Fulham defense that hasn't kept a clean sheet in eight matches.

• Predicted XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, O’Reilly; Reijnders, Rodri, Foden; González, Haaland, Grealish.

Fulham: The Giant-Killers’ Ambition

Marco Silva’s Fulham has been the league's "entertainment guarantee" this season. While they currently sit in mid-table, their ability to score against big opposition—evidenced by their four goals against City in December—makes them a dangerous visitor. However, their away form remains their Achilles' heel, with only three wins on their travels this season.

Team News and Selection:

• Midfield Absentee: Sasa Lukic is the only major confirmed absence for the Cottagers due to injury.

• The Creative Spark: Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe have formed a potent partnership in transition, while Raul Jiménez remains the focal point of the attack.

• Defensive Stability: Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey will need a career-best performance to contain the dual threat of Haaland and Phil Foden.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Iwobi; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukwueze; Jiménez.

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• Historical Dominance: Manchester City has won their last 15 consecutive matches against Fulham in all competitions.

• Goals, Goals, Goals: The last two meetings between these sides have produced a staggering 14 goals (City 4–0 Fulham & Fulham 4–5 City).

• The Etihad Fortress: City has won 66% of their home games this season, scoring an average of 2.4 goals per match at the Etihad.

• Top Scorer: Erling Haaland has scored in each of his last three appearances against Fulham.

Tactical Preview and Prediction

Expect City to dominate the ball (likely exceeding 70% possession), using Phil Foden and Nico González to pull Fulham’s narrow defensive block apart. Fulham’s best chance lies in the transition; if Berge and Iwobi can spark quick counters to find Chukwueze’s pace, they could punish City’s injury-depleted backline.

However, given City's psychological edge and their need to keep pace with Arsenal, a home victory feels inevitable, even if their defensive vulnerabilities lead to a high-scoring affair once again.

Final Score Prediction: Manchester City 3–1 Fulham