Fulham have had their hopes of a top eight finish ended

25 May 2025 - 9:21 am
Fulham have had their hopes of a top eight finish ended

Fulham have had their hopes of a top eight finish ended since they last played as the Cottagers seek to deny Manchester City potential UEFA Champions League qualification on the final day.

Fulham preview: Mid-table Fulham

On Monday evening, Brighton and Hove Albion scored an 85th minute winner against champions Liverpool via Jack Hinshelwood to mean that Fulham can now no longer catch the Seagulls in the top eight and the European spots on the final day of the season.

That is a shame for Fulham after an inconsistent run of form that continued with a come from behind win in a west London derby at the Gtech Community Stadium last weekend in a game in which Fulham defeated Brentford by three goals to two.

Man City preview: Need to win

Last weekend, it was confirmed that Manchester City will end the 2024/25 season without a trophy as they were beaten 1-0 by Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium in a controversial FA Cup final that left Pep Guardiola fuming at the end of the game.

However, they can still salvage a top five finish and UEFA Champions League qualification with the avoidance of a defeat on the final day of the season after they comfortably defeated AFC Bournemouth by three goals to one at the Etihad Stadium in midweek.

Fulham team news: A few injuries

Ahead of the visit of Manchester City this weekend, Fulham have a few confirmed absentees but none of them fresh as Timothy Castagne remains sidelined alongside Harrison Reed, Reiss Nelson and Rodrigo Muniz.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez.

Man City team news: Kovacic suspended but Rodri has returned

Rodri made his long-awaited return off the bench for City in midweek, as did Oscar Bobb, whilst Nathan Ake returned to the bench, too. They will be without Mateo Kovacic, though, after he was sent off against Bournemouth in the second-half.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Gundogan, De Bruyne; Silva, Marmoush, Doku; Haaland.