Midweek soccer returns as Manchester City gears up to face Fulham, aiming to close the gap on league leaders Arsenal. Currently sitting six points behind the Gunners, City comes off a morale-boosting comeback victory against Liverpool, where star striker Erling Haaland broke his goal drought with a crucial goal and an assist. However, with Fulham arriving at the Etihad Stadium, City must sharpen their defense to avoid a repeat of their last encounter with the visitors, which culminated in a thrilling 5-4 win for City, where they nearly squandered a four-goal lead.
The matchup is set for Wednesday, February 11, at 2:30 p.m. ET. Fans can catch all the action live on Peacock. The odds favor Manchester City at -300, while a draw is set at +450, with Fulham at +700.
The teams last clashed in December at Craven Cottage, where a total of nine goals were scored, resulting in a narrow win for City, thanks to braces from Phil Foden and Samuel Chukwueze. This time, however, City’s defense looks to be in better shape with Marc Guehi added to the squad and Ruben Dias returning from injury. This could provide Pep Guardiola with a solid central pairing moving forward, crucial for the weeks ahead.
Young defender Abdukodir Khusanov has seen ample playing time due to injuries plaguing regulars like Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, and Nathan Ake. As City begins to regain its strength, they remain firmly in the title race. Guardiola recognizes the critical nature of this match, emphasizing the need for consistency in performance.
“What I’m saying is what we have to do to beat Fulham, what we have to do to be better,” Guardiola stated during his pre-match press conference. He pointed out the necessity of maintaining strong performance through the entirety of the match, reflecting on the team’s struggles in the second half against Liverpool.
As the FA Cup and Champions League loom, City will need to navigate their schedule carefully while keeping their sights set on winning. A string of victories could rejuvenate their title ambitions, particularly with Haaland rediscovering his scoring form.
With this crucial match approaching, there’s hope that City can capitalize on their recent success and embark on a run towards closing the gap on Arsenal, as they seek to not only win against Fulham but also strengthen their position in the league.