Fulham vs Man Metropolis as title chase resumes
Manchester Metropolis arrive at Craven Cottage realizing the margins within the Premier League stay unforgiving. 5 factors separate them from leaders Arsenal as matchweek 14 begins, leaving little room for additional hesitation if Pep Guardiola’s facet are to reassert management of the title narrative.
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Their latest kind has been an uneven combination of dominance and disruption. Sunday’s late victory over Leeds, sealed by Phil Foden’s harm time winner, halted a wobble that had begun with defeat at Newcastle and deepened following a dangerous 2-0 Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen. That European setback solid doubt over Metropolis’s automated qualification hopes, a pointy distinction to the fluency proven earlier than the worldwide break when champions Liverpool had been swept apart 3-0.
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The Leeds fixture restored a way of ahead movement, even when the efficiency carried an fringe of pressure quite than whole authority. On this context, the journey to Fulham gives each alternative and potential complication. Marco Silva’s facet inhabit the Premier League’s decrease half but stay able to unsettling extra settled opponents, buoyed by latest outcomes which have improved temper round Craven Cottage.
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Silva has already spoken publicly concerning the want for January reinforcement to inject consistency into his squad. The Cottagers stay able to slick attacking phases, however damaging lapses proceed to undermine their standing. Nonetheless, consecutive victories in opposition to Sunderland and Tottenham have rekindled perception, making certain Metropolis will encounter a hostile ambiance as a lot as a motivated opponent.
Match particulars and kick off time
Fulham vs Man Metropolis is scheduled for a 7.30pm GMT kick-off at present, Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
The match will happen at Craven Cottage.
Broadcast data in UK
TV channel: Within the UK, the sport will likely be televised stay on Sky Sports activities. Protection begins at 7pm GMT on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion forward of kick-off at 7.30pm.
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Stay stream: Sky Sports activities subscribers also can catch the competition stay on-line through the Sky Go app.
Squad updates and key absences
Fulham enter the competition carrying a number of health considerations that slender Marco Silva’s choices. Striker Rodrigo Muniz stays sidelined till February on account of a hamstring harm, whereas Antonee Robinson continues his restoration from knee bother that has disadvantaged the Cottagers of a key attacking outlet on the left flank.
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Harry Wilson, contemporary from his aim in the course of the win at Tottenham, faces a late health take a look at after a thigh subject compelled him off in North London. His availability may show important if Fulham elect to assault Metropolis down the channels quite than retreat right into a compact defensive form.
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Manchester Metropolis, in the meantime, proceed to function with out Rodri, whose absence by a hamstring harm has barely diluted the facet’s ordinary midfield management.
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Guardiola additionally faces disciplinary administration with Bernardo Silva and Gianluigi Donnarumma each one yellow card away from a one recreation suspension, a element which will affect tactical planning in what has grow to be a congested winter schedule.
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Mateo Kovacic stays unavailable following ankle surgical procedure, additional limiting rotation choices in central areas.
Kind information and prediction
Metropolis journey to West London, relieved to have returned to profitable methods, even when the 3-2 in opposition to Leeds required extra persistence than polish. Some observers steered fortune performed a task of their late breakthrough, however Guardiola’s groups have lengthy thrived on grinding out outcomes throughout transitional spells.
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Fulham strategy the fixture with real momentum. The again to again wins in opposition to Sunderland and Tottenham had been constructed on organisation and opportunism, quite than prolonged dominance, but the outcomes can’t be discounted. House benefit will intensify perception that one other shock could also be doable, particularly given Metropolis’s occasional vulnerability since November.
Nonetheless, the deeper layers of sophistication and expertise stay firmly with the guests. Over a sustained 90 minutes their familiarity with controlling tempo, dictating territorial benefit and manufacturing decisive moments ought to assert itself, notably if Fulham are compelled to chase the sport.
Metropolis are anticipated to take care of their pursuit of the league leaders with out pointless complication.
Man Metropolis to win, 2-0.
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Face to face numbers
Historical past gives little encouragement for the hosts. Manchester Metropolis have gained 18 consecutive conferences with Fulham throughout all competitions, a sequence stretching again to February 2012 that underlines their lengthy standing dominance of this explicit pairing.
Fulham wins: 17
Man Metropolis wins: 43
Attracts: 16
In a Premier League season the place small fluctuations quickly alter the complexion of the title race, Metropolis can’t afford any additional detours. Fulham may provide resistance and unpredictability, however precedent, personnel high quality and urgency all facet with the visiting champions.