Fulham FC
Manchester United FC
Manchester United FC
Manchester United out to return to winning ways against improved Fulham side
Manchester United to win 2-0
Manchester United, although outplayed at times against Liverpool, will have spent the last few days thinking what could have been had they taken one of their two fantastic chances they had in the second half.
As it was, a point was enough to keep United at the top of the table, with their close rivals Manchester City two points behind. City could indeed temporarily overtake United with a win earlier in the day.
Against Fulham, United have the opportunity to return to winning ways, especially away from home where they have been so terrific all season, with the best away record in the league.
Fulham’s home form is actually better than their current league position and would be enough to lift them out of the bottom three if it weren’t for their away results letting them down.
Before their loss to Chelsea, Fulham had drawn five league matches on the bounce, including against Liverpool and Spurs, and had closed the gap to safety.
Form Guide (all comps): DDDWL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Are playing well despite their loss to Chelsea
Mitrovic and Loftus-Cheek will return to the side
Reasons to be fearful:
No wins in seven despite solid performances
In danger of failing to score for four home games in a row
Fulham will quietly fancy their chances of staying in the Premier League this season – they are just two points adrift of safety currently and have games in hand on the likes of Brighton and Newcastle above them.
This will be a tough fixture of course, made even harder by the fact that they have struggled to create goalscoring opportunities this season.
Their main striker, Mitrovic, is back after injury, but he has not scored since mid-September. The Cottagers haven’t scored in their previous three home matches and will be hard-pressed to find too many opportunities here.
Bobby Decordova-Reid and Antonee Robinson, two decent performs in recent times, are both suspended which won’t help matters.
Fulham will have chances of picking up points along the road – this may not be one of them.
Star Man – Ademola Lookman
He’s been directly involved in four of Fulham’s last six goals.
Form Guide (all comps): WLWWD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Will remain top with a win here
Can equal their record of 17 unbeaten away matches in the league
Reasons to be fearful:
May need to rotate players with tough fixture scheduling
Have kept just two clean sheets on their travels this season
For Manchester United, this game comes sandwiched between two huge matches against Liverpool, the first of which they drew 0-0 at the weekend. Next weekend’s FA Cup match is likely to be another huge contest.
What this means is that United may need to rest one or two players here and although United need a win here to remain top, they’ll feel that they can rotate their squad while giving them a good chance of claiming three points.
What is clear is that their away form has been nothing short of superb. It is now a full year since they last lost an away game in the league, and they have taken 23 from 27 points available on their travels this season.
They’re certainly favourites here.
Star Man – Paul Pogba
He may be rested for this one, but the midfielder has been exceptional for United in recent weeks and has been running games for them.
United will be favourites
Possession will be more even than many predict
Can Fulham break their home goalscoring drought?
United fans will hope that their team does not have one eye already on their important cup tie against Liverpool at the weekend.
Complacency can often set in when bigger games are on the horizon, but United must remain focussed if they want to stay at the top of the table.
They are huge favourites to do so, even if they chop and change their starting lineup.
Manchester United to win 2-0
