Manchester City vs Fulham preview: Khusanov cleared to play, Stones returns to squadBlues have chance to reduce gap to leaders to three points ahead of Arsenal's trip to Brentford
Manchester City vs Fulham
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 7.30pm, Wednesday 11th February 2026
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Paul Tierney Assistants: S Bennett, R West Fourth Official: T Nield VAR: N Davies
Odds: City 4/11, Draw 9/2, Fulham 13/2
Tickets: Available via tickets.mancity.com
TV: TNT Sports
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Donnarumma, Trafford, Bettinelli, Dias, Ake, Guehi, Ait-Nouri, Khusanov, Alleyne, Lewis, Reijnders, Cherki, Gonzalez, Rodri, Silva, Nunes, O'Reilly, Foden, Marmoush, Haaland, Doku, Semenyo, McAidoo
Injured: Kovacic, Gvardiol, Savinho, Doku
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: WWDWW
Fulham
Manager: Marco Silva
Squad (from): Leno, Lecomte, McNally, Tete. Bassey, Andersen, Cuenca, Castagne, Diop, Robinson, Reed, Bobb, Berge, King, Sessegnon, Smith Rowe, Jimenez, Wilson, Muniz, Iwobi, Kusi-Asare, Chukwueze, Kevin
Injured: Cairney, Lukic
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: LLWLW
Abdukodir Khusanov is available for selection after being susbtituted with a head injury in the 2-1 win against Liverpool. John Stones also returns to the squad after a long abssence through injury.
The Blues could temporarily reduce the gap on leaders Arsenal to three points, with the Gunners facing Brentford on Thursday evening. Pep Guardiola's side narrowly won a frantic game 5-4 in the reverse fixture in December, and he expects another tough challenge from Marco Silva's team.
“Fulham is better every season, with the movements,” he said at Friday's press conference.
“When I see for example their game against Manchester United this morning, that they lost at the end to the Sesko goal, they are really good.
“The patterns and quality they have, the composure with the play and the speed they have.
“Defensive and offensive is really good. Marco [Silva] is one of the top, top managers I’ve faced.
“Even though the results have been good because Man City have more opportunities in terms of top players.
“But he is a top, top manager and has the destiny to be one of top ones in a few years for sure.”
City won their last home game against Fulham 3-2, with goals from Mateo Kovacic (2) and Jeremy Doku. Overall City have won 44 of the 77 games played against the Cottagers, with 16 draws and 17 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri, Gonzalez, Silva, Reijnders, Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland
Score prediction: City 3 Fulham 1
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