Manchester City have a near fully fit squad for this weekend’s crucial Premier League fixture against Fulham.
Man City travel to Craven Cottage in the knowledge that they are in control of their destiny with regards to sealing a top-five finish and qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Victory in west London will be enough to confirm third place, whilst a draw should be enough given their superior goal difference to Aston Villa.
The only scenario in which a point against Fulham sees Man City drop out of the top five is if Newcastle, one of Nottingham Forest or Chelsea win and Villa beat Manchester United by at least 17 goals.
Pep Guardiola has stressed the importance of this fixture, so it helps that he has almost every single first-team player available for selection.
With the exception of John Stones, no Man City player is sidelined through injury whilst Mateo Kovavic is suspended after being sent-off in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth in midweek.
Kovacic’s absence does leave a whole in defensive midfield. Guardiola has confirmed Rodri is not ready to start despite making a substitute appearance on Tuesday on his return from an eight-month layoff.
Nico Gonzalez is an obvious candidate to step in for the Croatia international, partnering Ilkay Gundogan with Kevin De Bruyne just ahead of them on what will be his final appearance for Man City and in the Premier League.
Erling Haaland is expected to lead the line as he searches for his first goal post-injury with Bernardo Silva and Omar Marmoush offering support.
Predicted Man City XI: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Nico, Gundogan; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Marmoush; Haaland
Injured: Stones
Suspended: Kovacic
Time and date: 4pm BST on Sunday May 25, 2025
How to watch: Not on TV in UK
Venue: Craven Cottage
