On Sky
City badly need to get all three points today if they are not to be dragged into the relegation zone against a Fulham side who do not usually travel well but have performed better on the road this season already than last season.
Set Plays a Key
Stuart Pearce has gone on to say about set pieces “You have got to be good on set plays, full stop. We know that`s a strength of the team, we have one or two big headers in our side that can get a goal at set plays. “I think we have been a thorn in the side at set plays for most teams this season, but we have not scored a great deal of goals from them, which is disappointing. We have had a couple cleared off the line and a couple hit the post but you have to keep working on your strengths and make sure that you are working harder on the things you are not doing so well.”
“It would worry me more if we didn`t create chances. The fact of it is we went to Charlton and created more than them, but failed to take the opportunities and we deserved to get something out of the game, if not win the game.
Manchester City Team News:
The treatment room is finally starting to get an empty look about it as all but DeMarcus Beasley are are unfit. There are a few players who are yet to get back to match fitness, but a run out against Manchester United in the senior cup in midweek will have helped them. I expect Pearce will probably start with a similar eleven to the one that finished the game against Newcastle last week.
Player to watch: Hatem Trabelsi
With every game he looks quality and offers that bit of creativity; how David Facey of the Sun thought he was only worth a 4 rating from last week is beyond me, he must have been watching a different game.
Fulham Team News:
Fulham don’t appear to have any injury worries and look like they may have the dominating play of Papa Bouba Diop knicknamed the wardrobe which will give Joey Barton a good battle to win. Chris Coleman is likely to play a lone striker and packing the midfield so City’s front two will have to keep the defence deep to allow more space in midfield. Fortunately Fulham no longer have the talents of Steed Malbranque to draw from as he was a perennial scorer against the blues.
Player to watch: Papa Bouba Diop
Can be an imposing midfield figure.
Honours Even
Both teams have done the double of each other in the four years of premiership fixtures between each other. The other two season’s meetings have all ended in draws and so this fixture is a tough one to call and I think whoever gets the first goal I think will go on and win it.
Ref Watch:
Mr Alan Wiley; you have to go back nearly twelve months since we last had him as our referee; that was the home game against Spurs where we lost 2-0, he booked four in the game including Ben Thatcher, so watch out Ben, no rash challenges.
Match Prediction:
City to get all three points and Corradi to get his first goal. 2-0.
Next Fixtures:
Liverpool Away – hardly ever get a result at Anfield.