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Man City predicted line-up vs Fulham as Ruben Dias recalled but Omar Marmoush dropped

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Manchester City welcome Fulham to the Etihad Stadium this evening knowing a win could cut the gap to Arsenal to just three points

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Manchester City are back in Premier League action this evening as they welcome Fulham to the Etihad Stadium. The Blues have fond memories of their last clash with Marco Silva’s side as they edged out a thrilling 5-4 win at Craven Cottage back in December.

City will be heavy favourites for this one having beaten Fulham in their last 19 matches against them and last lost to the London club back in 2009. The Blues are also on a high after beating Liverpool in dramatic circumstances on Sunday thanks to late goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland.

With the games coming thick and fast, Pep Guardiola will be keen to rotate his squad slightly, albeit Saturday’s clash with Salford City in the FA Cup will provide more opportunity for that. Regardless of the changes made outfield, Gianluigi Donnarumma will remain between the sticks this evening after his Anfield heroics.

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Abdukodir Khusanov has made himself known in recent weeks, stepping up to the plate in the absence of first-team defenders. The Uzbekistan international was inadvertently clattered into by Donnarumma against Liverpool and was replaced as a concussion substitution but Guardiola confirmed in Tuesday’s press conference he is available to start tonight.

That being said, Ruben Dias’ return from injury and solid showing off the bench makes it easy not to risk the 21-year-old in midweek. Dias is likely to partner Marc Guehi who was sensational at Anfield and is already proving to be a brilliant addition to this title-challenging squad.

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Erling Haaland of Manchester City gestures during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images)

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The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.

Rayan Ait-Nouri also impressed at the weekend after a tough start to life at City and he should retain his place at left-back allowing Nico O’Reilly to slot into a three-man midfield once again. Having scored and being heavily praised by Guardiola, captain Bernardo will be expected to keep his place too.

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On Sunday, City went for the two-pronged attack of Omar Marmoush and Haaland as they looked to break down a shaky Liverpool defence. However, the Egyptian struggled on Merseyside and could be left out here to welcome back Rayan Cherki.

The Frenchman is unlikely to stay out of the starting XI for long and if anyone in the attack is going to be replaced for this game, it will be Marmoush. Both Haaland and Antoine Semenyo are undroppable at present.

City predicted XI vs Fulham: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, O’Reilly, Bernardo; Semenyo, Haaland, Cherki

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There’s only one WWE star who should be allowed to dethrone Becky Lynch

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Becky Lynch is set to defend her Women’s Intercontinental Championship against AJ Lee at Elimination Chamber. Rumors have been swirling that WWE has plans to do another singles match between the two at WrestleMania 42. Therefore, all roads currently lead to one direction, hinting that this rivalry might culminate with Lee taking the coveted title away from Lynch.

However, this should not happen, given the broader picture. If someone actually deserves to dethrone Big Time Becks, it’s none other than Lyra Valkyria. Ever since losing the Women’s Intercontinental Championship last year, The Bird Lady of WWE has fallen down the ranks. She has been wandering directionless on RAW, with her career taking a downward trajectory.

WWE desperately needs a big breakthrough for Valkyria that could once again push her into the limelight. Winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship from Becky Lynch would give her the push she has been seeking. What makes it logically appealing is that both women have a storied history and their feud in 2025 was one of the most compelling in the women’s division.

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Meanwhile, AJ Lee is one of the most decorated stars and she does not need a championship to add to her resume at this point in her career. The Black Widow dethroning Lynch could be a “feel-good” moment in terms of the current storyline. But it wouldn’t benefit the Stamford-based promotion in the long run. Instead, WWE should use that moment to elevate Lyra Valkyria.

The company’s primary focus should be on building future talents and rising stars instead of elevating part-time veterans. Valkyria is the cornerstone of the WWE women’s division and is a future world champion contender. Dethroning a big star like Becky would solidify her as a main-event-level star, reigniting the red-hot momentum the 29-year-old lost in recent months.

Besides, the condition that Lyra Valkyria cannot challenge Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Title after SummerSlam 2025 as long as Becky remains champion seemingly became null and void. That stipulation was perhaps valid for Lynch’s that very reign. Now that Big Time Becks is on her second and fresh title reign, this may allow Valkyria to go after her.

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Becky Lynch and AJ Lee’s feud should have only one outcome

Becky Lynch has been embroiled in a heated rivalry with AJ Lee since September last year. The two superstars competed against each other twice, once at Wrestlepalooza and the other at Survivor Series: WarGames. This months-long feud seems to be in its final stretch now and it could culminate at WrestleMania 42.

However, this storyline should have only one outcome and that is Lynch wrapping up this feud with a big win. It is because AJ Lee has had the upper hand in this feud so far. She defeated Becky Lynch in the Mixed Tag Team Match that took place at Wrestlepalooza last September. The former Divas Champion once again beat Lynch in the Women’s Survivor Series match last year.

Well, things did not end there. Lee also cost The Man the Women’s Intercontinental Championship at Madison Square Garden. Therefore, this feud must end with Becky Lynch having the last laugh. Big Time Becks suffered too many setbacks against AJ Lee, which dealt a major blow to her credibility.

As a result, it has become necessary for her to defeat The Black Widow and put a definitive end to this feud. Beating Lee would serve as poetic justice for Lynch after months of setbacks and embarrassment against the former. Hence, this seems to be the only logical end to this heated feud in WWE.