Saturday Fulham Stuff - 25/01/20...

[WhiteJC]

Bobby Decordova-Reid Makes Fulham Loan Permanent

Fulham have confirmed the permanent capture of Bobby Decordova-Reid. The striker initially joined on loan from Cardiff City in the summer, but the Cottagers have now made that a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.

Fulham Confirm Permanent Capture of Bobby Decordova-Reid
The Deal

Fulham announced via their website Decordova-Reid has joined permanently. Decordova-Reid arrived from Cardiff in the summer initially on loan, but Fulham have now made that permanent for a fee in the region of £10 million.

Decordova-Reid has played an integral role in Fulham's season thus far. The Cottagers find themselves third in the Championship, just three points off the automatic promotion places.

Decordova-Reid has signed a deal which runs until the summer of 2023. He becomes the second Fulham loanee to arrive permanently after Ivan Cavaleiro's move from Wolverhampton Wanderers was made permanent earlier in the window.

The forward has become a fans' favourite and his versatility to play any role in the front three has been a major boost for manager Scott Parker.

Decordova-Reid has scored four goals since arriving from Cardiff and certainly will want to add more during the second half of the campaign.

What Was Said

Speaking to the Fulham website about his loan becoming permanent, Decordova-Reid said: "It's very nice to get it done and dusted. Now we progress with the season and hopefully, there's big things to come.

"Hopefully the fans are happy about it! Now we move on and fight to get promoted."

Chairman Tony Khan added: "Bobby has been a real asset for us since he joined in the summer, putting in really strong performances when called on and scoring some important goals.

"This was one of the deals I did that was close to the wire on deadline day, and I'm delighted that we managed to get it across the line and now make it permanent, as Bobby's been great for us and we expect there's a lot more to come."



https://lastwordonfootball.com/2020/01/24/bobby-decordova-reid-makes-fulham-loan-permanent/

[WhiteJC]

Foden To Start, Zinchenko In Defence | 4-3-3 Manchester City Predicted Lineup Vs Fulham

Manchester City will take on Fulham in the FA Cup fourth round tie at the Etihad Stadium. The defending champions would look to book their place in the next round by getting the win this weekend. City and Fulham haven't faced each other in the FA Cup since 1914. Fulham will come in this game on the back of a 0-0 draw against Charlton Athletic in the Championship. Meanwhile, Guardiola's men secured a narrow win against Sheffield United recently.

With the Premier League title looking out of bounds, City would want to win the other domestic trophies on offer. The home team would undoubtedly be the favourites to book their place in the fifth round.

Team News: Leroy Sane has been on the sidelines since August last year, and he could be out for a few more weeks. He is expected to return at some point next month. John Stones and Benjamin Mendy are doubtful for this encounter after they were not involved in the matchday squad against the Blades.

Manchester City Predicted Lineup Vs Fulham
Formation (4-3-3)

Guardiola has experimented more this season, and the Citizens played with three at the back against Sheffield United. He could return to his usual 4-3-3 for this game.

Defence

Claudio Bravo is expected to feature in between the sticks for this cup game. He is likely to be shielded by the centre back pairing of Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi. Aymeric Laporte, who is making a comeback from a lengthy injury spell, might not be risked in this encounter and City should be strong enough to go past Fulham without their best defender.

However, Guardiola might look at this the other way, and he could hand Laporte a start as to get him up to pace by giving him some much-needed game time on the field. It could go either way, but we believe that Laporte would be rested. Joao Cancelo could feature at right-back. Oleksandr Zinchenko might get the nod to start at left-back.

Midfield

Ilkay Gundogan might start in the deepest role in midfield. Phil Foden is expected to feature in the playing eleven in midfield. The other midfield spot could go to Bernardo Silva while Kevin De Bruyne might get a breather.

Attack

Raheem Sterling has been below par in the last few weeks, and this could be a good game for him to get his form back. He is likely to start on the left flank. Riyad Mahrez is expected to begin from the right. Gabriel Jesus could lead the line in place of Sergio Aguero.

https://the4thofficial.net/2020/01/foden-to-start-zinchenko-in-defence-4-3-3-manchester-city-predicted-lineup-vs-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Manchester City v Fulham
SUN 26 Jan 2020  The FA Cup - Fourth Round
Venue: Etihad Stadium

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called this week for FA Cup replays to be scrapped

BBC coverage

How to follow:
    Watch live on BBC One; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website[/i]

TEAM NEWS

Manchester City defenders Benjamin Mendy and John Stones have recovered from the injuries that caused them to miss the win over Sheffield United.

Aside from long-term absentee Leroy Sane, manager Pep Guardiola has a full squad at his disposal.

Fulham's top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic is unavailable because of an ankle injury.

They could also be without Harrison Reed, Aboubakar Kamara, Anthony Knockaert and Maxime Le Marchand.

VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: "The Carabao and FA Cup will be played, maybe we could cancel the replays, maybe there could be less games in the Championship for example, less teams in the Championship or the Premier League.

"I come here, you ask me a question and I was honest but I don't think [about] what they have to do because it's not my business. My business is to prepare my team day-by-day. When they decide these games, we do it."

Fulham manager Scott Parker: "The main message from me to my players is go there with big courage and big heart, and a determination.

"If you go to places like the Etihad and play against teams like Man City with no real conviction and don't try to put your stamp on the game, nine times out of 10 you roll out of there with a loss.

"Let's go there with courage, let's have a belief about us, and let's try and put our stamp on it."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Fulham scored a couple of wonder goals to beat Aston Villa in round three, and are in good shape at the top end of the Championship too.

But you know that Manchester City will put out a strong line-up as they continue their defence of the FA Cup, and it is hard to see Fulham getting close to them at Etihad Stadium.

Prediction: 3-0

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

    Manchester City last faced Fulham in the FA Cup in 1914 - a 2-0 home win at Hyde Road.
    City have won the past eight meetings in all competitions, by an aggregate score of 23-3.
    They are undefeated in 14 matches against Fulham (W11, D3).
    Fulham's past three wins against City have all come away from home in the Premier League, in April 2009, April 2008 and April 2006.

Manchester City

    Manchester City have won 10 of their past 12 games in all competitions. Their only defeat during that run came at Wolves in the Premier League on 27 December.
    City have lost only once in 12 home games (W9, D2).
    They have won all five FA Cup home matches under Pep Guardiola by an aggregate score of 25-3.
    Since joining City in 2011-12, Sergio Aguero has scored a competition-high 19 FA Cup goals.

Fulham

    Fulham have lost just once in eight matches in all competitions.
    However, they have won only once in five away games (D2, L2).
    Fulham have not conceded a goal since the third-round win against Aston Villa, keeping three clean sheets.
    The Cottagers last made the fifth round in 2011, going on to lose 1-0 at home to in an all-Premier League clash.




https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51208514

[WhiteJC]

All the latest Fulham injury news here

This weekend, Fulham are in FA Cup action as they host the reigning Premier League champions Manchester City at Craven Cottage.

The Cottagers will be fighting for a spot in the fifth round, and they will be dreaming of one opportunity where they can catch out Pep Guardiola's side, while also trying to remain solid and compact at the back with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne looking to get past their defence.

Scott Parker's side will go into the game without the services of Aleksandar Mitrovic, who picked up an injury to his ankle ligaments in the 1-0 win away at Hull City a couple of games ago.

The Serbian striker has been a key part of the Fulham side this season, as he has netted 18 goals in 26 appearances this season during the Championship campaign, being one of the second tier's most prolific strikers.

Fulham may be without the services of Harrison Reed and Aboubakar Kamara, who are touch-and-go heading into the clash and their absences could see the Fulham squad weakened even further, having missed the draw at Charlton Athletic on Wednesday night in a tough encounter.

Both Reed and Aboubakar have suffered minor muscle injuries, and depending on how the last couple of days have gone, they may make it back in time for the bench on Sunday.

Defender Maxime Le Marchand is also unavailable for the game, having been out since November with a back injury that he has been struggling to shake off.

The game is an important one for Fulham as it gives them the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with Premier League opposition, and they will be able to test themselves without any pressure on their shoulders.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/all-the-latest-fulham-injury-news-here/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham missing key forward trio for tough FA Cup test against Manchester City


Scott Parker will be without three of his key attacking threats against Manchester City ( Getty Images )

Fulham travel to Manchester City on Sunday with an injury-hit frontline missing Aleksandar Mitrovic, Anthony Knockaert and Aboubakar Kamara.

The trio have scored more than half of Fulham's 42 goals this season but, without them, boss Scott Parker is likely to look to Ivan Cavaleiro and Bobby Reid to give his side a forward threat against Pep Guardiola's side.

Fulham upset Aston Villa in the third round but their main focus is securing promotion back to the Premier League.

They are third in the Championship, three points off the automatic promotion places and chasing down stuttering Leeds in second place.

Fulham are set to face a near full-strength City, who are targeting the cup competitions, with Liverpool 13 points clear and running away with the Premier League title race.

The west Londoners go into the game on a good run, having lost only once since Christmas.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-fa-cup-manchester-city-a4344251.html

[WhiteJC]

BBC Sport pundit states his prediction for Man City v Fulham in the FA Cup
Mark Lawrenson looks ahead to Man City's home clash with Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday

Mark Lawrenson is expecting Manchester City to cruise through to the fifth round of the FA Cup by claiming a 3-0 win over Fulham in their fourth-round tie on Sunday afternoon.

The Citizens are preparing to host the Championship side at The Etihad this weekend as they look to take a step closer towards winning the FA Cup this season.

Manchester City beat League Two Port Vale in the third round of the competition, while Fulham were winners against Premier League side Aston Villa.

Pep Guardiola's men have been in good form in recent weeks and they have won four of their last five games in the Premier League to leave them second in the top-flight table.

Fulham are third in the Championship, having won three of their last five outings in the division.

Former Liverpool FC star Lawrenson is not expecting the home side to have any problems when they welcome the Cottagers to The Etihad this weekend.

Writing in his column for BBC Sport, Lawrenson said: "Fulham scored a couple of wonder-goals to beat Aston Villa in round three, and are in good shape at the top end of the Championship too.

"But you know that Manchester City will put out a strong line-up as they continue their defence of the FA Cup, and it is hard to see Fulham getting close to them at Etihad Stadium."

Manchester City will return to Premier League action on Sunday 2 February when they travel to face Tottenham Hotspur.

Before that, the Citizens will host Manchester United in the return leg of their League Cup semi-final clash on Wednesday night.



https://www.thesportreview.com/2020/01/man-city-v-fulham-prediction-fa-cup-mark-lawrenson/