Manchester City face a crucial Premier League clash against Fulham on Saturday to kick off a frantic final eight days in the 2023/24 title race.
Arsenal currently sit top by a point and face an out-of-form Manchester United on Sunday, the last time this season that the title rivals will play at different times over a weekend. Then it’s the pivotal midweek game in hand for Pep Guardiola’s side, who will hope to end their Premier League hoodoo at Tottenham Hotspur.
Given Arsenal’s superior goal difference, there’s every chance City will need to win at Spurs if they want to move top. After that it’s just the final day to play, with the Gunners hosting Everton and the champions facing David Moyes in his final game as West Ham United manager.
Both sides in the fight for top spot will feel they have to take maximum points in their remaining games, and City will be buoyed by the fact Fulham, Spurs and West Ham have little to play for at this stage of the season.
None of the three teams are in particularly good form, either. Fulham have won just one of their last seven games and have slipped to 13th in the table, while their record against City is horrendous. The Blues have won the last 15 meetings and haven’t lost a game against the London side since 2009.
Guardiola will be wary of that going into the game and could have half an eye on the Tottenham fixture when picking his team at Craven Cottage. Everyone is fit and available and it’s a case of choosing which players are best for this particular clash.
With that in mind, here’s how we think City line up for this vitally important match...
1. GK: Ederson
Didn't cover himself in glory for Wolverhampton Wanderers' goal last week, but should start against Fulham.
2. RB: Kyle Walker
Rarely misses out when fit, and the City skipper is almost a shoo-in to start at right-back.
3. CB: Manuel Akanji
Guardiola's most reliable defender in the second half of the season and the Swiss international has missed just one of the last 13 league games.
4. CB: John Stones
One of two changes sees Nathan Ake drop out to be replaced by the England international.