City face stiff test against buoyant Fulham

Fulham

• Fulham have kept four clean sheets in their last six league games.
• Roy Hodgson‘s side has lost just one of their last 11 home league matches.
• The Cottagers have the second best defensive record at home conceding only nine goals.

• Kagisho Dikcagcoi is out for another three weeks with knee trouble.
• Striker Andy Johnson has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee problem.
• Defender John Pantsil is still out with a long-term knee injury.

Manchester City

• Defender Kolo Toure is contention to return after knee problem.
• Carlos Tevez has scored 13 goals in his last 13 Premier League games.
• Winger Adam Johnson scored his first goal for City at Sunderland last weekend.

• Emmanuel Adebayor is out as he serves the third game of a four-match ban.
• Left back Wayne Bridge is out for a month after a hernia operation.
• Winger Martin Petrov is out for another week with a knee injury.
• City have won just once in their last six league games.
• Roberto Mancini’s side has not beaten Fulham in their last five meetings.
• Midfielder Michael Johnson will miss the rest of the season with a long-term knee injury.

Expert Advice

For the second season running, Fulham have surprised many experts with their form and they continue to be a team who you underestimate at your peril. While their away record is easily forgotten, they have been close to unbeatable at Craven Cottage since November – as Juventus found out to their cost in midweek – and Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will have his work cut out if his side are to win. The visitors did triumph on their last visit to London when they beat Chelsea but whether they can reproduce that sort of performance remains to be seen. They were fortunate in the end to gain a point at Sunderland last week and Betsson’s odds of 3.25 for a draw looks a sound bet.

Bet it!