Fulham v City Preview

Craven Cottage welcomes the reigning Premier League title holders to West London this Saturday when Manchester City provide the opposition in what will be a scintillating affair. Fulham have started well in the Premier League in home fixtures and the home support will be hoping that Roberto Mancini`s side can be put to the sword.

Manchester City arrive at Craven Cottage on the back of a rare home defeat having been tumbled out of the Capital One Cup by Aston Villa whilst also failing to head a table they confidently expected to lead early on.

David Silva, a fine exponent of the attacking arts, has spoken about changing things around starting at our gaff this Saturday,

"The truth is we didn`t play good football. We have to improve, like last year when we started very well."

"We have to get back to that level as soon as possible and to find that we have to work hard."

Hopefully, we can stall them for one more game.

Martin Jol enters the fixture with no new injury concerns. Our spies tell us that Senderos played for the development squad in midweek but it is too early to talk of a return.

The Bulgarian has started his Fulham career well and will be relishing pitting his sills against a side his former club considered to be their greatest rivals. Can he score a vital goal? Don`t bet against it!

Roberto Mancini has a rich array of talent at his disposal and used the summer transfer market to inject some youth signing, amongst others, Scott Sinclair (Swansea) and Jack Rodwell (Everton).

The main danger for Fulham will come from the attacking talents Mancini has at his disposal with Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and David Silva all quite capable of strolling into the starting elevens of most teams in Europe.

At the heart of their defence is Vincent Kompany a colossus that Berbatov and Petric will have to try and overcome.

The Argentine, after his rebellious period last season, looks to have settled back into life in Manchester and has shed a few pounds to look fitter than ever. Our defence will need to be on their best form to keep him shackled.

City enter this fixture with a good record against us having not lost in the last six encounters. and are also unbeaten on ther last six visits to Craven Cottage.

Taking charge of this fixture will be:- Referee - M. Halsey Assistant - R. West Assistant - L. Betts Fourth Official - K. Woolmer

Last week, up at Wigan, I admitted I`d be happy with a point ad we took all three. If I admit I`ll be happy with a point this Saturday will history repeat itself?

For Fulham it is a trip to newly promoted Southampton.

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