Manchester United vs Fulham
Fulham’s bid to enter the top half of the Premier League standings continues this weekend, as they’ll get to visit Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Cottagers are playing catch-up since they’re currently 12th in the English top-flight table. At 29 points, they are six points away from re-entering the Top 10.
On the other hand, Manchester United are climbing up, currently sitting in sixth place with 44 points, and they can go as high as fifth if they defend their home pitch.
The pre-game SBOTOP betting odds don’t make for a great read for the visitors since they’ve had a mixed bag of Premier League 2024 results lately. But with both sides missing several key players, this game might be closer than you think.
Talking Points
Manchester United lose Shaw
Speaking of missing several key players, Manchester United has a few of them, and another one just joined the list, unfortunately.
Luke Shaw was subbed off before halftime in their 2-1 win over Luton Town, and after the game, Erik ten Hag admitted that it “didn’t look great.”
It’s not really great since Manchester United released an update on Wednesday evening, confirming that the 28-year-old full-back sustained a hamstring injury, so he will be out for several months.
It’s safe to say that he is out for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign, which is a big blow for the Red Devils top four push since he’s one of their most versatile footballers.
With Shaw out, Diogo Dalot may play on the left again for Manchester United. But with Aaron Wan-Bissaka still injured, Erik ten Hag is going to be short on right-backs too.
So that leaves us with either Victor Lindelof playing as a right-back to accommodate Dalot’s left-back switch or Sofyan Amrabat playing out of position once again as a left-sided full-back, which he did before.
But other than that, Manchester United should essentially maintain the rest of their starting XI, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and the in-form Rasmus Hojlund leading the way.
Fulham won’t have Palhinha
Due to an accumulation of yellow cards after getting another one in their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, Joao Palhinha is going to be suspended for this upcoming match at Old Trafford, which makes it even more difficult for Fulham to push for a Top 10 spot.
With Palhinha sidelined, Harrison Reed should take his spot in the starting XI to link up with skipper Tom Cairney.
But like Manchester United, Fulham will look to ride the hot hand of their striker, Rodrigo Muniz, who has scored four goals in his last three league games in February.
With Raul Jimenez (thigh) and Armando Broja (illness) doubtful to play, the 22-year-old Brazilian will be under the spotlight for the Cottagers.
History
Manchester United won their reverse fixture earlier this season, as Bruno Fernandes scored the marginal goal in added time for the 1-0 victory.
The Red Devils are undefeated in their last 16 Premier League matches against the Cottagers (W13, D3) since a 3-0 loss at Craven Cottage in December 2009.
Fulham have also lost 13 of their last 16 Premier League games against Manchester United at Old Trafford (W1, D2), with their last such victory coming under Chris Coleman in October 2003.
All in all, Marco Silva’s group has won just 24-per cent of their Premier League points in road games this season, which is the lowest ratio in the English top-flight (7-for-29).
Erik ten Hag’s men are firing on all cylinders, and they can finish the month of February with a 100-per cent win rate in the league, which they haven’t done since winning all five Premier League matches in January 2009.
Betting Tip
As mentioned, the Premier League 2024 odds are for Manchester United to win this one. They are priced at 1.51, whereas Fulham are 5.00 underdogs, and a draw is at 4.13 in the 1X2 market.
Based on the trend of their recent matchups, we should see a handful of goals from this contest, making Total Goals 2-3 at 1.99 and Over 2.75 at 1.68 viable bets.
But we’re going for First Half Under 1.25 at 1.90 since most of the goals scored between these two sides have come late, with Manchester United scoring most of them.
There is a reason why the Red Devils are known for Fergie Time, and even after 11 years since his departure, the mystique of Sir Alex Ferguson lives on at Old Trafford.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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