Manchester City have their fate in their own hands going into the final day of the Premier League season. Pep Guardiola’s side will secure Champions League football if they avoid defeat by Fulham.
The Cottagers are targeting a top-half finish, and they will be keen to end the campaign on a high. Can they cause a minor upset on home turf?
Fulham vs Man City best bets
Fulham vs Manchester City odds
Find the latest Fulham vs Manchester City betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.
Fulham vs Manchester City predictions
After losing the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace last weekend, it was important that Manchester City did not feel sorry for themselves for too long.
A few days later Pep Guardiola’s side faced Bournemouth in a crunch Premier League clash. Thankfully for City, they were able to dust themselves down quickly from that disappointment at Wembley Stadium to run out 3-1 winners on Tuesday night.
Omar Marmoush, Bernardo Silva and Nico Gonzalez all found the target at the Etihad Stadium to help City return to winning ways.
That victory has taken much of the pressure off heading into the final day. Had City lost to Bournemouth last time out, they would have been in a tricky situation with one round of fixtures remaining.
Instead, they have risen up to third in the table courtesy of that 3-1 triumph and are now on the brink of wrapping up Champions League qualification.
The race for the three remaining places in the top five is extremely tight, but City are the best positioned of the five sides still in the mix.
They are sitting on 68 points ahead of gameweek 38, with seventh-placed Nottingham Forest on 65 and each of Newcastle United, Chelsea and Aston Villa on 66.
Whereas those four teams all need to win on the final day to either guarantee a seat at Europe’s top table (Newcastle and Chelsea) or remain in contention (Villa and Forest), City know that they will get over the line simply by avoiding defeat at Craven Cottage.
Because their goal difference is vastly superior to that of Villa in sixth, a point against Fulham will do. That does not mean Guardiola’s side will go out and play for a draw, but it is a useful insurance policy.
Fulham are out of the race for Europe, even if eighth place does prove to be enough for a Conference League berth. They are four points behind Brighton & Hove Albion in that position following the Seagulls’ victory over Liverpool on Monday.
Fulham are now targeting a top-half finish, which they will make sure of if they win this match. They will also end the campaign in the top 10 if Bournemouth and Palace lose to Leicester City and Liverpool, respectively.
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Fulham vs Manchester City betting tips
Manchester City will be looking to wrap up a top-five finish at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Draw
Whatever happens on the final day, this has been a disappointing season for Manchester City. They have fallen short on all four fronts and will end the campaign empty-handed as far as major trophies are concerned.
Champions League qualification would at least allow them to salvage something from 2024/25, though, and it is difficult to see City missing out from here.
At the same time, they are unlikely to have everything their own way against Fulham, who are a tough team to play against at Craven Cottage.
Marco Silva’s side will be aiming to sign off with a statement victory on the final day, and although we do not necessarily expect them to pick up all three points, Fulham will give City plenty to think about.
A draw would be a decent outcome for both teams.
⚽ Go for a draw at 10/3 with Tote ⚽
Fulham to score first
Fulham have had longer to prepare for this fixture than Manchester City, who had that meeting with Bournemouth in midweek.
Guardiola’s team have also had more games to play overall this season, and signs of fatigue have been apparent for some time.
That means Fulham could be quicker out of the blocks on Sunday. They have a knack for doing that on home soil, having scored the first goal in 12 out of 18 home games this term.
Only Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United have drawn first blood in front of their own fans more often than Silva’s charges.
Do not be surprised if City have to come from behind in this one.
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Erling Haaland to score any time
It is fair to say that Erling Haaland has not yet got back to his best following injury. The Norwegian himself would admit to that.
But while form is temporary, class is permanent – and this could be the game in which Haaland puts his name on a Premier League scoresheet for the first time since March 15.
Despite the minimal impact he has made in recent outings, Haaland is sure to be in the starting XI on Sunday.
He should get chances against Fulham, and a player with his finishing ability should be able to take at least one of them.
⚽ Back Erling Haaland to score any time at 4/5 with Betfred ⚽
📺 How to watch Fulham vs Manchester City
- Location: Craven Cottage, London, England.
- Date and time: Sunday, 25 May, 4pm.
- How to watch: Not being shown live in the UK.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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