Predicted 4-1-4-1 Manchester City XI to face Fulham in the Carabao Cup
Manchester City extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to ten games with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.
The Citizens will be looking to continue their scintillating form when they face a struggling Fulham unit in the Carabao Cup on Thursday.
Pep Guardiola’s men overcame Oxford United 3-0 in the third round of the Carabao Cup as Phil Foden and Brahim Diaz stole the show and the manager will be expected to rotate his squad once again to keep the regular players fresh for the Premier League game against Southampton on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Fulham have found life tough in the top flight and Slavisa Jokanovic’s men currently sit 18th in the Premier League standings with a dismal defensive record. The Cottagers beat Millwall 3-1 in the previous round but they will have to produce a miraculous performance to beat the table-toppers.
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Pep Guardiola will be without the services of Danilo who is sidelined due to a sprained ankle while Ilkay Gundogan is yet to recover from his hamstring injury.
Eliaquim Mangala and reserve goalkeeper Claudio Bravo are absentees due to long-term injuries.
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Predicted XI
Arijanet Muric (GK)
The youngster kept a clean sheet in the previous round of the Carabao Cup and Guardiola should hand him another start.
Kyle Walker (RB)
Guardiola might be forced to field the English international for the Carabao Cup game as Danilo is out with an injury.
Vincent Kompany (CB)
The Belgian veteran is not a regular name in the teamsheet any longer for the Premier League games but he is likely to play on Thursday.
Nicolas Otamendi (CB)
He has started three Premier League games this season and has been rock solid whenever he has been on the pitch.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB)
He has been used as an understudy to Benjamin Mendy but the Ukrainian played a few games when the Frenchman was injured and might get another opportunity to impress.
John Stones (CDM)
He was used as a defensive midfielder in the previous round of the competition and Guardiola might do the same in order to rest Fernandinho.
Riyad Mahrez (RW)
The Algerian will be in high spirits after scoring the winner against Spurs and is likely to play a key role on Thursday.
Phil Foden (RAM)
He was extremely impressive against Oxford United but hasn’t had a chance to make an impact in the Premier League. The game against Fulham will be a good chance for him to show what he is capable of.
Bernardo Silva (LAM)
Guardiola might be tempted to rest David Silva and rely on the Portuguese international to spark the creativity.
Brahim Diaz (LW)
Another promising youngster in City’s ranks. Played very well against Oxford in the previous round and will be hoping for an opportunity on Thursday.
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Gabriel Jesus (ST)
The Brazilian is currently short of confidence and the Carabao Cup fixture will be the ideal opportunity for him to rediscover his goalscoring form.
