Fulham vs Manchester City
Ok, so there’s good news and bad news for Fulham fans.
The good news is that the Cottagers are about to entertain a Manchester City team who have lost two Premier League away games on the spin.
The bad news is that I can’t even remember the last time they lost three away league meetings in a row.
So can Fulham inflict more misery on Pep Guardiola and Co as they try and keep in touch at the top of the table?
Talking Points
To do so, they will have to end one of the worst records in football.
Because to say Fulham have a real hoodoo against City is one of the biggest understatements in football.
I knew the Cottagers had struggled in these fixtures – and understandably so as City are on a different planet when it comes to resources.
I also knew the boys from West London have been on the receiving end of a few tough decisions in their clashes in recent years.
Yet I was staggered when I found out that City had won the last 18 meetings in a row in all competitions.
Going further back, aside from three draws, you have to go to April 2009 for the last time Fulham actually beat City – a 3-1 Premier League win at the Etihad Stadium when Clint Dempsey (two) and Dickson Etuhu (a former City youth player) were on target and City had Robinho and Daniel Sturridge among their substitutes.
So, that run can finally end this week or are City destined to deliver more Premier League 2025 highlights and make it 19 on the bounce.
They certainly could do with winning given their setback on Tyneside the last time they were on the road left them with a gap at the summit, albeit one that was reduced slightly with weekend results, including their 3-2 home victory over Leeds.
That was a game which City had all but won by half-time and then were lethargic in the second half before Phil Foden capped another fine display with a stoppage-time winner.
While City rarely have a problem scoring, Fulham have been shot-shy all season and are the joint fourth-lowest scorers in the top flight.
They gained arguably their best result of the campaign on Saturday night though as they scored twice inside the opening six minutes to win 2-1 at London rivals Spurs.
Kenny Tete opened the scoring with his first goal in almost two years, a shot from the edge of the area which was deflected in. Then, a mistake by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was capitalised on as Harry Wilson curled a superb shot into an empty net from 35 yards out.
That was enough to seal their first away league victory since May and, on the upside for them, Marco Silva’s side have picked up 13 of their 17 points this season at Craven Cottage so they can point to home comforts.
History
As mentioned, even before those 18 straight wins, you have to go back to September 2011 for the last time Fulham took points off City – a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage where the hosts fought back from two goals down through Bobby Zamora and an own goal after Sergio Aguero had netted twice.
In the corresponding league fixture on the final day of last season, City ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Ilkay Gundogan and an Erling Haaland penalty which sealed third place in the standings.
City won 3-2 at home earlier in the campaign when Mateo Kovacic scored twice and Jeremy Doku grabbed the winner. Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz replied.
Overall, City have 43 wins in this fixture compared to 16 draws and 17 Fulham successes.
The very first meeting was in February 1908 in the third round of the FA Cup at Hyde Road in Manchester. On that occasion, a 1-1 draw was followed by a 3-1 Fulham win in the replay at Craven Cottage four days later.
Betting Tip
With the SBOTOP Premier League 2025 betting odds, City are tipped to make it 19 wins in a row, priced 1X2 @ 1.60 and Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.13.
The draw has a certain appeal @ 3.81.
Yet if you think this record must come to an end, then why not plump for a home win, either 1X2 @ 4.65 and Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 1.78.
A repeat of the corresponding meeting last season will pay out @ 8.40 with Correct Score 0-2.
For goals, and let’s face it there is scope for plenty, an array of odds include over 2.75 @ 1.90, total goal 0-1 @ 3.71, 2-3 @ 2.03 and 4-6 @ 2.88.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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