Manchester City are in full control of their Champions League hopes as they visit Craven Cottage to take on Fulham in their final Premier League game of the 2024-25 season on Sunday afternoon.
The Citizens beat Fulham 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium when they last met back in October last year.
Match preview
Man City responded well just three days after they lost the FA Cup final for the second year in a row, this time to Crystal Palace. They beat Bournemouth 3-1 at home on Tuesday night to boost their chances of finishing in the top five.
Kevin De Bruyne missed an easy chance in the first half during his last match at the Etihad, but he still received a warm farewell. He will soon be honoured with a statue and said goodbye with a win, thanks to goals from Omar Marmoush, Bernardo Silva and Nico Gonzalez.
Before their win over Bournemouth, City were in sixth place. Those three points pushed them up to third in the table. Now they sit two points ahead of Newcastle United, Chelsea and Aston Villa. City just need to win on Sunday to guarantee a top-three finish and Champions League football.
They could still finish second if Arsenal lose to Southampton and there’s a nine-goal swing in goal difference. If Arsenal avoid defeat, then Guardiola will finish outside the top two for just the second time in his 16 seasons as a top-level manager, the other time being third in 2016-17.
A top-five finish would give City fans something to feel good about after a difficult season without a major trophy for the first time in seven years. A draw would almost be enough to secure that, but a loss at Fulham, combined with other bad results, might drop City to sixth and send them to the Europa League instead.
Man City are on a nine-match unbeaten run in the league (six wins and three draws) and feel confident for this match. They have won all of their last 17 meetings with Fulham in all competitions. That includes a 4-0 win at Craven Cottage last season, and it is the longest winning run one English team has ever had against another.
Fulham had hopes of qualifying for Europe for the first time since 2011-12, but six defeats in their last 10 league games ended those dreams.
They did beat Brentford 3-2 in their last match, coming from behind with goals from Raul Jimenez, Harry Wilson and captain Tom Cairney. That win also gave them a new club record for the most points in a Premier League season (54), just two years after they won the Championship title.
Even with that result, Fulham can no longer catch eighth-placed Brighton, who are four points ahead after beating champions Liverpool 3-2 on Monday. Now, Fulham aim to finish above Brentford in ninth, which would be their best top-flight finish in 13 years. But if they lose on Sunday, and Bournemouth and Crystal Palace both win, Fulham could drop to 12th.
Last season, Fulham won their final match 4-2 against Luton Town. Before that, they failed to win their last game in six straight seasons (one draw and five losses). It won’t be easy this time either, as Fulham haven’t beaten Man City in 19 Premier League meetings (three draws and 16 losses), including the last 14 in a row. Their last win against City came in April 2009 under Roy Hodgson.
Fulham – Premier League form:
L L W L L W
Manchester City – Premier League form:
W W W W D W
Manchester City – All competitions form:
W W W D L W
Team news:
Fulham defender Timothy Castagne had ankle surgery earlier this month. He joins Rodrigo Muniz, Harrison Reed (both with calf issues), and Reiss Nelson (thigh) on the injury list.
Tom Cairney might play his last match for Fulham, as his contract ends this summer and Wrexham are reportedly interested in him. The 34-year-old will hope to start in midfield, possibly replacing Emile Smith Rowe. Wilson also wants to start on the wing.
Top scorer Raul Jimenez should lead the attack again. All 12 of his league goals this season either gave Fulham the lead (nine times) or pulled them level (three times). He’s looking to score in three straight league games for the third time in his career, having done it before in November 2019 and September 2024.
For Man City, Mateo Kovacic is suspended after his red card against Bournemouth. John Stones is still out with a thigh injury. Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb are fit to play.
Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or, returned from an ACL injury in midweek as a late sub. He’s fit but won’t start, according to Guardiola.
Nico Gonzalez or Bernardo Silva could take Kovacic’s place in midfield alongside Ilkay Gundogan. De Bruyne is expected to captain the team for his 422nd and last appearance for City.
If Bernardo drops into midfield, then Phil Foden, who has an ankle problem and missed the England squad, or Savinho or Jeremy Doku, could start on the right wing.
Fulham possible starting lineup: Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Wilson, Cairney, Iwobi; Jimenez
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Bernardo, Gundogan; Savinho, De Bruyne, Marmoush; Haaland
We say: Fulham 1-3 Manchester City
Fulham have nothing to play for in terms of Europe, which should help City. But Fulham are still dangerous and could surprise everyone on the final day.
City have won nine of their last 11 final league games and have a huge winning run against Fulham. They are clear favourites and should get the job done. De Bruyne looks set to finish his time at City by helping them reach the Champions League.
