Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City return to the top English league and face Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola's team dropped four points in their last two league games against Newcastle at St James' Park and against 10-man Arsenal at home. City sit second in the Premier League with 14 points, just one point behind first-place Liverpool.

City go into the weekend game with some momentum after their first win in the UEFA Champions League in the new format. The Citizens followed a 1-1 draw at home against Serie A giants Inter Milan with a comfortable 4-0 win away at ŠK Slovan Bratislava in the first round.

Guardiola gave attacking midfielder Phil Foden his second start of the season, resulting in a goal and an assist for the England international. With City not having the squad strength they would like due to injuries, Guardiola had no choice but to start players such as Erling Haaland, Savinho, Jérémy Doku and İlkay Gündoğan – only Haaland was taken off the pitch, while the other three players the entire Lasted 90 minutes.

City will be without Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Aké in the short term as both players return to fitness following their respective groin and thigh injuries. Aké is expected to return at the end of October, while De Bruyne could return sooner. “Hopefully (Kevin) will be back after the international break,” Guardiola said before the game against Bratislava.

GK: Ederson– The experienced goalkeeper returns to the game.

RB: Kyle Walker—Walker should be fully fit for the weekend.

CB: Ruben Dias—Dias played the last half hour against Bratislava and was expected to slot straight into the defensive line against Fulham.

CB: Manuel Akanji– Guardiola ensured Akanji's legs remained intact by taking him off on the hour mark in midweek.

Moderator: Joško Gvardiol—The versatile defender retains his place in the lineup on the left side of defense.

DM: Mateo Kovačić– The Croatian midfielder had a chance to catch his breath during the midweek contest and is likely to return to action against Fulham.

DM: İlkay Gündoğan—The 33-year-old played the full 90 minutes on Wednesday but is likely to start again in the Premier League.

RW: Bernardo Silva—Silva was another key player who was rested against Bratislava. Guardiola could try to use him in the middle, but he is more likely to start on the right side.

AM: Phil Foden– Foden is set to make his third start of the season after impressing in the Champions League.

LW: Jack Grealish—The former Aston Villa striker will be desperate to score his first goal of the season.

ST: Erling Haaland—The Norwegian will look to start a new Premier League goalscoring streak and add to his 10 goals in six appearances.

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