Manchester City will be forced to navigate a key Premier League encounter without several influential players, with Jérémy Doku leading a notable list of absentees ahead of Wednesday night’s clash against Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side return home determined to sustain their title challenge, but injuries have stretched the champions at a crucial stage of the campaign.
The meeting between the two sides comes just over two months after their dramatic nine-goal spectacle at Craven Cottage, a fixture that showcased the attacking quality both teams possess.
This time, however, Guardiola must prepare for the encounter without five first-team regulars, including Belgian winger Doku, whose absence deprives City of one of their most explosive attacking weapons.
City head into the contest buoyed by a spirited 2-1 comeback victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, a result that reinforced their credentials as serious contenders in the title race.
Fulham, meanwhile, arrive in Manchester following a narrow 2-1 defeat to Everton, leaving them eager to respond with a strong performance against one of the league’s most dominant home sides.
Guardiola’s team have been formidable at the Etihad Stadium this season, collecting 44 points from a possible 51 in their last 17 Premier League home fixtures. That impressive record has been a cornerstone of City’s pursuit of league leaders Arsenal, with the reigning champions hoping to reduce the gap at the top to three points with victory over Fulham.
Defensively, City will be without Josko Gvardiol, who is sidelined with calf, shin and heel problems, while John Stones remains unavailable due to a thigh injury. Their absence is expected to open the door for players such as Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi and Ruben Dias to shoulder defensive responsibilities as Guardiola reshuffles his backline.
City’s midfield and attacking options have also been affected by injuries. Mateo Kovacic is unavailable because of ankle and foot issues, while Savio Moreira de Oliveira joins Doku on the treatment table with a thigh problem.
The absence of these key figures will test City’s squad depth as they attempt to maintain momentum in both performance and results.
Fulham will also be missing important players, with Sasa Lukic and captain Tom Cairney ruled out of the encounter. Adding intrigue to the contest is the presence of January signing Oscar Bobb, who joined Fulham from Manchester City in a reported £27 million deal.
The Norwegian attacker is set to face his former club in what is expected to be an emotional reunion, having remained a popular figure among City supporters.
