1Goals guaranteed?
City at the Etihad usually means goals will be scored and with eight from the first two home fixtures, the Blues are already averaging four per match.
But Fulham’s open, attractive style means their four matches have produced 16 goals.
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True, nine goals have been shipped and seven scored, but it’s an indication of how Slavisa Jokanovic’s team play.
Historically, too, this match never disappoints.
There’s been no 0-0 in 21 games and during that time 75 goals have gone in either end, with an average of 3.5 per match!
2Cottagers’ record
Fulham’s recent history against City is not that impressive, having failed to win any of the last 11 games against the Blues and collecting just three out of a possible 33 points, conceding 29 goals along the way.
In fact, the champions have scored in each of the last 21 fixtures against Fulham.
But there was a period when the West London side were viewed as something of a jinx team, winning three times at the Etihad in three years from 2006 to 2009.
And between 1963 and 1998, Fulham won seven of 11 games against City – so while the Blues certainly seemed to have laid that jinx to rest, it’s worthy of note that we’ve not had it all our own way over the years.
3 International return
Though several members of the City squad were on international duty, from a travelling and fatigue angle, things could have been much worse.
With no Brazil or Argentina fixtures to contend with (all six of our South American stars were not selected on this occasion), there have been no lengthy journeys returning on Thursday as has happened in the past.
Fabian Delph got some much-needed game time under his belt against Switzerland, while Leroy Sane and Ederson both saw their partners give birth during the break.
Raheem Sterling missed out due to a back strain and David Silva has retired from international duty – so all in all, as these breaks go, many of the squad should be rested and ready to go on Saturday.
4Mahrez set for lift-off?
Riyad Mahrez has spent the first month of the new season bedding in at City and getting to know his team-mates.
He has also had to learn a different style with the Blues, in terms of formations and what is expected of each player in each position.
The Algerian has shown flashes of his breath-taking skills and trickery, and with each passing game he should feel more comfortable in his new surroundings.
With an open game of attacking football highly likely against Fulham, Mahrez will hope to start on Saturday – and thrill an army of new admirers in the process.
5City aim for pole position?
Fourth-placed City will be hoping results are favourable this weekend with Spurs facing Liverpool and Watford hosting Manchester United.
The champions will need to beat Fulham to have any hopes of topping the table by the end of the weekend, though Chelsea will be strong favourites to beat Cardiff City at Stamford Bridge.
Fulham will be thinking that three points could take them into the top half of the table, too in what should be a fascinating weekend of matches.
