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“Let me just start off by wishing you a very Happy Birthday!,” you’re too kind Kieran McKintosh.
“Not football ruining someone’s birthday, but close enough: A few months ago my brother’s 3D printer broke. However, at the exact moment it did, Martinelli beat Donnarumma with the lob to end all lobs, and snatched a point from City at home for us. So the second his printer broke, he heard me screaming ‘YES!’ across the entire house and celebrating like there was no tomorrow.
“My response is actually not a birthday gift I have received, but a Christmas gift I hope to receive. I have asked for a Leeds United 24/25 third kit. However, since it will arrive with no name on the back, I am considering putting Kylian Mbappe’s name and number on the back for a laugh. I was just wondering if others might get the joke or not.
“Have a good one!”
Krishnamoorthy emails: “It will take a man with a stone heart not to support a team managed by Diego Simeone. I hope Barca does not unleash their frustration over losing to Chelsea on Atletico.”
Dear reader, you will also be very excited to learn it is my birthday, so I ask the questions …
When has football made or ruined your birthday?
What is the best football-related gift you have ever received?
Stay on your feet, Gigi.
Bournemouth v Everton starting lineups
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Jimenez, Diakite, Milosavljevic, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Adli; Kroupi.
Subs: Dennis, Evanilson, Hill, Araujo, Smith, Enes Unal, Soler, Tavernier, Gonzalez
Everton. (4-2-3-1): Pickford'; Garner, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Mykolenko'; Iroegbunam, Alcaraz; N’Diaye, Dewsbury Hall, Grealish; Barry.
Subs: Travers, King, Patterson, McNeil, Beto, Dibling, Aznou, Welch, Campbell
Fulham v Manchester City starting lineups
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez
Subs: Lecomte, Cuenca, Castagne, Reed, Cairney, Chukwueze, King, Kevin, Kusi-Asare
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Silva, Reijnders; Foden, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Trafford, Stones, Ake, Marmoush, Cherki, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Khusanov, Lewis
Preamble
The main event, from our point of view, is at Craven Cottage tonight. Manchester City are still looking to find consistency this season under Pep Guardiola. The head coach insists he can smell something good cooking at the Etihad but two defeats in a row and just about edging past Leeds is not the way to go about creating the perfect dish. Erling Haaland is still looking for his 100th Premier League goal but at least Phil Foden started to offer support with a double at the weekend.
Fulham’s rocky start is fading away after three wins in four, including victory at Tottenham on Saturday night. They will be hoping the good vibes will continue but they have lost their past 18 clashes with City, which might be a slight concern for Marco Silva. No time like the present to end that run.
Bournemouth have picked up one point from the past 12 available, while Everton are looking to bounce back from a dismal home defeat to Newcastle.
Over in Spain, first-placed Barcelona are hosting Atletico Madrid, who sit fourth, in what is being billed as Marcus Rashford v Conor Gallagher in many places*. Hansi Flick’s side are in fine form in La Liga, shooing everyone they come up against but Atlético have won their past seven in all competitions.
Premier League
Bournemouth v Everton 7.30pm GMT
Fulham v Manchester City 7.30pm GMT
La Liga
Barcelona v Atletico Madrid 8pm GMT
