City defender Pablo Zabaleta will miss the game with a hamstring injury incurred in the midweek Capital One Cup victory over Leicester.
The Argentinian joins fellow right-back Micah Richards, Sergio Aguero, Matija Nastasic and Stevan Jovetic on the sidelines.
But with Premier League leaders Arsenal not facing Chelsea until Monday night, City could move to the top of the table if they better Liverpool's result at home to Cardiff in the lunchtime kick-off.
Pellegrini remains cautious of a Fulham side that will be looking to impress new manager Rene Meulensteen and move out of the relegation zone for Christmas, but he took comfort from their improved form away from home.
"For different reasons, it is always very hard to play all teams in the Premier League, but the important thing is the way we play the game," he said.
"I think the results of the first games playing away was not what we deserved. It's very important for this team to win away.
"We won the three games in the Champions League playing away, that's important.
"We won the two games playing away in Capital One also and in the Premier League the last two games we drew and we won, so I hope we will continue in the same way."
Pellegrini revealed the injury to Zabaleta is not as serious as was first feared and confirmed striker Aguero will be out for a few more weeks yet.
"I think Pablo is not so big an injury. Maybe he will be back soon. Maybe a week or two, but the doctor will decide. I am not a doctor!," he added.
"Aguero could be (out for) eight weeks, could be four. We will see the way he is working, but he is improving every day."
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