Fulham V Manchester United Betting – Saturday 19th December

Fulham V Manchester United

Saturday 19^th December – 15:00 GMT

Fulham

League Position: 9th

Recent Form: LWDWD

Fulham were another side not involved in any Premiership action during the week but were instead battling for the European involvement in Switzerland. In a game Fulham had to win, the Cottagers recorded a hard fought 3-2 victory over a dangerous FC Basel to book their place in the draw for the last sixteen, a draw which will consist of Everton and Liverpool, although neither will meet Fulham just yet. However, it’s back to the bread n’ butter now for Roy Hodgeson and Fulham and it doesn’t get much harder than a home fixture with the reigning champions, Manchester United.

A fixture with Man Utd is daunting to any side but to Fulham the task becomes even more intimidating when you take into consideration their dreadful record against the mighty reds. In the previous ten meetings, Fulham have lost all but two. However, Fulham did have the last laugh when they beat Man Utd 2-0 last season, a defeat which almost sent the Red Devils into a downward spiral of poor result. Now the Cottagers will be aiming to conflict similar damage on United’s charge for the top spot but will a gruelling week in Europe have a negative affect on the energy levels of the players?

European commitments are always a pain to keep on top of but it’s doubly difficult when you’re playing away from home and then face one of the best teams in Europe just days later. However, that is what the big managers and players are in this business for and we expect the Fulham players to thrive on this situation, albeit slightly jet lagged from their relatively short flight back from Switzerland.

Fulham’s record at home this season is a strong one, much to the one which seen them secure seventh position last season. In eight home fixtures, the fans have only had to endure two defeats, both of which came against sides of similar stature to their Sunday opponents; losing to both Chelsea (0-2) and Arsenal (0-1). However, Fulham were far from disgraced in either and we mustn’t forget that they did beat Liverpool here back in October and Fulham are unbeaten at the Cottage in five games. A run stretching back to September.

Fulham do have what it takes to be a thorn in United’s side but their midweek trip to Switzerland does concern, as it will plenty of others. However, they will be be buoyed by both the reslt and what the result meant so they shouldn’t be without confidence and plenty of momentum. Nevertheless, you need a full strength side when facing arguably the strongest team in the league in Man Utd and Fulham may lose out in that department due to their European commitments. Still, we very much doubt they will roll over and we expect nothing less than a stubborn Fulham resistance, albeit probably in vein come the 90 minutes.

Manchester United

League Position: 2nd

Recent Form: WWWLW

Alex Ferguson will be expecting a performance of a much higher calibre than the one he ad to endure on Tuesday night against a weakened Wolves, albeit a winning night. United ran out comfortable 3-0 winners but were in a lethargic type of mood once again and their lazy attitude might see them come up short once again after two below par performances.

It’s imperative that United drop as little points as they can over the Christmas period as everyone knows about Chelsea’s problems with African players leaving in the new year for the African Cup of Nations. With this in mind, Fergie will know that were United to edge in front of Chelsea and be leading the league by the time the new year arrives then United would be firmly in the driving seat. However, asking United to win all their fixtures up till that point could be a big ask as they haven’t been at all convincing of late.

On Tuesday, Man Utd took on the reserves of Wolves and it should have been a walk in the park for the champions. However, with the first quarter of the game drifting by with little action, those with bag wagers on what appeared to be a ‘safe bet’ would have been close to tears watching a lackadaisical United. However, United were handed, quite literally, a gift to go in front from the spot and Wayne Rooney rifled home his 12^th of the campaign to pretty much secure all three points. United did then go on to score two more but without the gift-wrapped penalty, who knows how long, or even if, United opener would have come.

Despite some not so sublime displays, United still find themselves in a handy position and a win would pile the pressure straight back onto Chelsea, who play a day later. They do have form, although the defeat to Aston Villa will have dented their momentum heading into this busy period, but they do have four wins in five to boost morale. United also have back-to-back away wins to be positive about but United’s frailties have tended to come on the road this season, with the usually well travelled Man Utd already falling to three away defeat this season, although two of those were to much better sides then their weekend opponents in Chelsea and Liverpool.

On paper, this should be another three points for United but who can forget last seasons encounter? Fulham turned the title race completely on it’s head last term when they beat United 2-0 at Craven Cottage, a result which nearly cost United the title. The Unite camp will be seeking some revenge on Saturday, especially Wayne Rooney who was dismissed in that 2-0 defeat at the Cottage last season. Will United keep their coll and record their sixth away win of the season or will Fulham strike for the second time in as many seasons.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Fulham W: 1 Manchester United W: 8 Draws: 1

Manchester United have been devilishly good in past encounters with Fulham, with United winning eight of the previous ten matches. However, Fulham did have the last laugh when they rocked the Red Devils at Craven Cottage last season, beating the eventual champions 2-0, with Wayne Rooney seeing red. It was a bad day at the office for United last season, with Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham goal in one of his unbeatable moods.

The last four victories, three of which have been for Man Utd, have all been to NIL. Also, in seven meetings at the Cottage, Fulham, have only reached the two goal marker on two occasions, last seasons victory being one of them.

Match Verdict: Manchester United to WIN – 1.57 SkyBet

The mighty United have been far from impressive of late but we expect a clinical performance at Craven Cottage this Saturday. Fulham will set out to frustrate United for large parts of the game but their midweek exertions in the Europa League is a big negative for us, despite the success they enjoyed. They is no difference whatsoever in the performance levels between a slightly heavy legged Fulham and a fresh Fulham, but our concerns are over just how long they can actually sustain it on Saturday afternoon, which we don’t think will be the full 90 minutes.

Match Odds:

Fulham – 7.00 Bet365

Draw – 4.00 SportingBet

Manchester United – 1.57 SkyBet

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Draw/Man Utd (HT/FT Betting) – 4.50 Ladbrokes