Two managers in need of a win collide at Craven Cottage as Alvaro Arbeloa's winless Fulham host Michael Carrick's inconsistent Manchester United side that are feeling the pressure after back-to-back losses.
Arbeloa always had a tough task on his hand trying to fill the shoes of Marco Silva and it has been a difficult start to his Fulham tenure, picking up just one point from the opening four Premier League games.
However, that draw came last time out away at Liverpool, a result which should have given them a lift, and they built on that with a 3-2 success at West Ham in the third round of the EFL Cup.
Carrick will be feeling the heat as United manager after midweek’s collapse at home to Brighton, who turned a two-goal deficit into an unlikely 3-2 victory.
United lost 1-0 at home in the Manchester derby to fierce rivals City prior to that and that was made all the more disappointing by the fact that they played against 10 men for 70 minutes but were unable to make a breakthrough.
Fulham vs. Man United: betting picks and predictions
Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals (-125)
Manchester United were booed off the pitch at Old Trafford after chucking away a 2-0 lead to lose to Brighton in the third round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday and there is serious pressure on Carrick to secure a positive response from his players.
The Red Devils have won only two of their six outings this season and those victories have come against promoted Ipswich and Azerbaijani minnows Sabah in the Champions League.
United's opening two away league games ended in a 2-0 defeat at Hull and a 2-2 draw against Everton, so they are far from certain to bounce back at Fulham.
Persistent defensive errors are halting United’s progress and they have conceded seven goals in four league games to show where the problems lie.
There are no issues going forward - the Red Devils have had 84 shots in four games - but a clean sheet is likely to evade them.
Fulham have endured two 3-2 defeats and recorded a 3-2 win in their last six outings and they have enough going forward to turn this into a lively Premier League affair.
Josh King anytime goalscorer (+250)
Josh King featured 38 times in all competitions for Fulham last season and clearly took time to adapt to Premier League football with only two goals scored.
However, the 19-year-old has clearly come on for that initial experience and many feel that he is one of England’s most exciting young talents.
The Fulham teenager has already scored twice this season, in home defeats to Chelsea and Crystal Palace, and has had 11 shots in his four Premier League appearances.
King has hit the target five times and should relish the opportunity to enhance his growing reputation against such a vulnerable rearguard..
Timothy Castagne to be shown a card (+500)
Fulham right-back Timothy Castagne has committed more fouls than any of his teammates, committing seven in four league outings, and was booked in a home defeat to Chelsea.
Castagne, now 30 years of age, comes up against a dynamic frontline that should cause him plenty of problems and he looks a leading card candidate.
Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Marcus Rashford and Patrick Dorgu are all options on United’s left flank and their pace and trickery could expose Castagne.
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Fulham vs. Man United odds
Fulham | +250 |
Tie | +280 |
Man United | +100 |
Fulham vs. Man United player props
Anytime goalscorer
Benjamin Sesko (Man United) | +130 |
Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham) | +160 |
Bryan Mbeumo (Man United) | +175 |
Bruno Fernandes (Man United) | +187 |
Gonzalo Garcia (Fulham) | +187 |
Matheus Cunha (Man United) | +187 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
