Ric Turner, Manchester City fan and Bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk regular, reveals the opposition’s view on Saturday’s encounter.
Fulham make the trip to the Etihad on Saturday and while our record away from home hasn't been the best, we have managed some memorable results up there in recent years...
Fulham always seem to do well at our place (I think we’ve only won one of our last six encounters against you at home?), so it’s certainly not a game we’re taking for granted. But our exceptional home form in the league this season should be enough to see us through.
As opposition, what do you see as Fulham's biggest strengths?
Fulham are well organised, and pose a threat when going forward with the likes of Mousa Dembélé, Clint Dempsey and Andrew Johnson.
As City look to maintain their place at the top of the table, three points are a must for you guys - would you agree?
Our form has dipped in recent weeks, so it’s imperative that we take three points on Saturday. United face a potentially tricky run of fixtures in the coming weeks and we have an opportunity to form a gap at the top, but only if we can rediscover our form from earlier in the season.
For a little while City were enjoying a very comfortable run and, although there was plenty of football to be played, they were arguably the favourites to go on and win the league... But in recent weeks the title race has been blown wide open again hasn’t it?
Very much so. I think the bookies still have us as slight favourites, but it could easily go either way. United arguably have the tougher fixtures, but they have experience of title run-ins that we lack. I think it’ll go to the last day of the season. I imagine Tottenham fans will be hoping they can do something too.
If you can see it through, what would it mean to you City fans?
It would mean the world to us. We have only ever won the title twice, and our last one came in 1968. It’s fair to say my generation have been somewhat starved of success over the years; last season’s FA Cup triumph was the first trophy City have won in my lifetime.
Going back to Saturday’s game, Clint Dempsey is arguably the League’s in-form forward - is he a player that is respected in the blue half of Manchester?
Dempsey is in fine form and has a habit of scoring against us. He’s rated highly by many City fans and we’ll certainly be aware of what he can do. He’s scoring a lot of goals of late, and you’d put him down as a threat.
And in terms of danger men - which City players should Fulham fans be aware of?
David Silva is our most potent attacking option. He dictates play in the opposition half, and is arguably the most gifted player in the league. Samir Nasri is finally starting to find form after his move from Arsenal, whilst Sergio Aguero will always be a threat.
Best and worst thing about a trip to the Etihad Stadium?
The best thing is the Balti pies, the worst is the weather.
One song we're bound to hear?
Blue Moon, of course.
Where should travelling fans go for a pint?
The stadium is only a short walk/taxi ride from the city centre, so I’d recommend there rather than near the ground. The Northern Quarter is a good place for a pint.
Score prediction:
I’ll go for a 2-1 win for City. I think it will be a tight game, but hopefully our extra quality will prevail.