Man City v Fulham preview

23 October 2009 10:58
Manchester City will be out to end their patchy Premier League form with victory against Fulham at the City of Manchester Stadium. The Cottagers secured a 3-1 win at Eastlands last season, although it remains to be seen how fresh they are having battled to the end against Roma on Thursday night in Europa League action. City have had the week off and, having won just one in their last four in the league, Mark Hughes will be keen to extend their perfect record at home this season. Hughes' side are just a point behind in-form Arsenal, although they currently trail league leaders United by five, however they do have a game in hand on their city neighbours. City newsHughes will be forced into at least one change with right-back Pablo Zabaleta suspended following his two yellow cards picked up in last weekend's draw at Wigan. With Kolo Toure fit again after a heel injury he will return at the heart of Hughes' defence alongside Joleon Lescott with Micah Richards reverting to right-back. Brazil international Robinho is still at least a week away from returning with a stress fracture in his foot so Hughes will go with Emmanuel Adebayor, Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez in attack. Vincent Kompany will continue his comeback after injury, although he will settle for a place off the bench as will summer signing Roque Santa Cruz. Fulham newsFulham boss Roy Hodgson remains without a number of first-team regulars so his squad will be stretched for their tricky-looking trip to City. The Cottagers will still be without Danny Murphy, Simon Davies, Andy Johnson and Dickson Etuhu, who all started last season's 3-1 win. In-form Diomansy Kamara will continue his promising partnership with Bobby Zamora with Andy Johnson sidelined with a groin injury, although Hodgson is hoping he will be fit to face Liverpool. John Pantsil, who came off the bench against Roma, will come in for Stephen Kelly, while Irish winger Damian Duff should be restored after impressing against Hull City. Possible starting XIsManchester City: Given; Richards, Lescott, Toure, Bridge; Wright-Phillips, Barry, Ireland; Tevez, Adebayor, Bellamy. Fulham: Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky; Gera, Baird, Greening, Dempsey; Kamara, Zamora.

Source: SKY_Sports