Pep Guardiola is relieved that Manchester City is holding their Champions League -Lot in their own hands for their last Premier League match of the season.
It was a season to forget for City, who for the first time since Guardiola went for the first Guardiola campaign in 2016-17 for the first time without a big trophy, although they have defeated Manchester United to win the Shield Community in August.
City lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final last week, although they bounced back by beating Bournemouth comfortably 3-1 to go to third place.
They go to the last game of the season in Fulham who only need a draw to confirm the qualification of the Champions League, although a loss of Aston Villa against Manchester United would also work.
Guardiola admitted that, despite a challenging season, he is happy that his side is in control of their own destiny.
“It is better to get in the last game, knowing that it depends on you, it depends on us, yes it is better,” said Guardiola prior to Sunday's collision.
“We have to look at ourselves. We need a point to be in the Champions League next season and we have to win against a top.
“The situation is clear to play in the Champions League, we have to take a result there and that is what we are going to do.”
Although Guardiola was understandably happy that Rodri marked his return to the team after an ACL injury that ruled him from most of the season, he was quickly mentioned that the battle of the city was not just the absence of the midfielder.
He added: “Many things have happened this season. It wasn't just about Rodri, there have been many other challenges.”
Coordinate on a new trip to the Capital pic.twitter.com/S7BNUGAZZP
– Manchester City (@Mancity “> @Mancity) 23 May 2025
In the meantime, Fulham has little to play for, with a place in Europe out of reach.
They are in 10th place and have reported Brentford 3-2 in their last Premier League outing.
Fulham -Baas Marco Silva said that his side has prepared for Sunday's collision as the same as for all their games during the entire season.
He said: “It is clear that we worked this week like all other weeks before. This is the last game of the season, but we try to get the same concentration level.
“We have reached 54 points for our football club, and we are going to fight and enjoy the game. To embrace the challenge with our fans of playing the last game of the season against a top.”
Silva added that there were discussions to renew the contracts of Kenny Tete and Tom Cairney, although Carlos Vinicius and Willian will probably leave the club in the summer.
“It will be the last time [Vinicius and Willian] will be involved. Probably for both it could be their last game with the Fulham shirt, “he added.
Players to watch
Fulham – Raul Jimenez
All 12 of Jimenez's Premier League goals this season have put Fulham ahead (nine) or they pulled them up (three) in the competition.
The Mexican wants to score in three consecutive games in the competition for the third time, earlier in November 2019 and September 2024.
Manchester City – Erling Haaland
After recently returning to action after a long-term injury dismissal, Haaland could be seen in the last two Premier League matches of City.
He has scored 21 times, including seven injury opening goals, making him third this season in the scoring diagrams of the competition.
Match forecast: Profit from Manchester City
City has won each of their last 17 meetings with Fulham in all competitions, the longest winning run that has had one English competition side against the other in history.
Fulham is even Winless in 19 Premier League meetings with Man City (D3 L16) and loses the last 14 in a row.
City has won their last Premier League match in nine of the last 11 seasons, with exceptions such as a 1-1 draw in Swansea (2015-16) and a 1-0 loss in Brentford (2022-23), while Fulham Luton defeated 4-2 on the last day last season (D1 L5) in the six previous competition match.
Mateo Kovacic played in the city in the high-scoring reverse fixture, which supplied a brace to lead them to a 3-2 victory in the Etihad Stadium.
Opta wins probability
Fulham – 21.7%
Drawing – 23.4%
Manchester City – 54.9%