In their last outing, Manchester United narrowly edged out Rangers 2-1 in a game that should have been more comfortable, hindered only by lacklustre finishing during dominant spells. Despite an error that saw Rangers pull level, Bruno Fernandes stepped up to seal a crucial victory, setting United up with momentum as they travel to London to face Fulham.
Under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, Manchester United’s domestic form has been underwhelming, and the pressure to deliver consistent performances is mounting, especially at Old Trafford. Despite these struggles, United have shown promise on the road with commendable displays at both Liverpool and Arsenal this year, which should bolster their confidence ahead of another challenging away fixture.
Match Info
- Premier League Matchday 23 of 38
- Sunday 26th January 2025 14:00 EST / 19:00 GMT
- Craven Cottage
Fulham, managed by Marco Silva, find themselves as the unexpected favourites for this encounter at Craven Cottage, a testament to their recent form. However, Silva is acutely aware that converting draws into wins could propel Fulham into contention for European competition next season. The team has been plagued by too many draws at home, with four consecutive stalemates in the league, yet their goal-scoring prowess demands respect.
With a fully fit squad and a week’s rest since their last match, Fulham are well-prepared for this crucial clash. Their victory at Old Trafford last season might inspire confidence, but their historical performance against Manchester United at Craven Cottage—losing the last seven encounters—looms large over the team.
Manchester United, still fine-tuning their squad under Amorim, are rightly seen as underdogs in this matchup, according to betting odds. The fixture promises to be an open, attacking display from both sides, with previous meetings often resulting in high-scoring affairs.
Anticipated rainy conditions over the weekend in London might complicate play, but Fulham will aim to assert their game plan aggressively. This strategic openness is likely to benefit Manchester United when transitioning into attack, making a case for a goal-rich game. The recommendation for this highly anticipated match would be to anticipate at least three goals, rounding off this Premier League weekend with what should be an engaging contest.
Fulham
Fulham, led by Marco Silva, are striving to rebound from a disappointing 3-goal surrender against West Ham United. Silva’s charges showed their mettle by securing a convincing victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, underscoring their European ambitions. Fulham’s squad, brimming with talent, harbours genuine hopes of qualifying for European play, despite currently sitting 10th in the Premier League, just five points adrift of fifth-placed Manchester City.
At Craven Cottage, Fulham’s record this season stands at four wins, five draws, and two losses. They have been prolific at home, netting 18 goals while conceding 17. On the domestic front, Fulham have been fairly steady, with just one defeat in their last 10 league matches, which includes a crucial 2-0 victory at Leicester that ended a run of three league games without a win. Notably, the last four league fixtures at Craven Cottage all concluded in draws.
Looking ahead, Fulham are gearing up for a significant FA Cup Fourth Round match in early February. In team news, Reiss Nelson is nearing a comeback and might feature next weekend, provided he isn’t recalled early by Arsenal. Meanwhile, Kenny Tete is sidelined until after the March international break, leaving Silva with some adjustments to make in his lineup.
Manchester United
Manchester United displayed a mix of dominance and vulnerability in their recent Europa League clash against Rangers. Despite controlling the second half, the crowd at Old Trafford was left in disbelief when a blunder from Harry Maguire allowed Rangers to level the score. However, Bruno Fernandes stepped up to notch the decisive goal, enhancing United’s prospects for securing a top-eight finish in their group next Thursday.
Under the management of Ruben Amorim, there’s an emphasis on elevating performance levels across all competitions, with a particular spotlight on improving their current 13th position in the Premier League. United’s record on the road this season paints a mixed picture, standing at two wins, four draws, and four losses.
Old Trafford has recently been a stage for anxiety and nerves, highlighted by a 1-3 defeat to Brighton last Sunday—United’s sole loss in their last five outings across all competitions. Despite this, they haven’t celebrated an away victory since their triumph in the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium. However, commendable draws at Liverpool and Arsenal indicate potential resilience as they prepare for their upcoming fixture in West London.
Team fitness updates reveal that Victor Lindelof has resumed training, and Luke Shaw is nearing a return, though neither is expected to participate in Sunday’s match. Furthermore, Jonny Evans and Mason Mount are sidelined for this encounter, and Marcus Rashford remains distanced from first-team action. As United gears up for their visit to Fulham, the team will need to address these challenges head-on to clinch a much-needed away win.
America Bet Match Winner Prediction
Manchester United to Win
Manchester United’s recent displays, despite inconsistencies, have shown moments of quality that can be decisive in matches like the one against Fulham. With Bruno Fernandes in scoring form and the team pulling off resilient performances against top sides like Liverpool and Arsenal away from home, they have the edge. Fulham’s tendency to draw at Craven Cottage, combined with their recent good form, will certainly pose a challenge. However, United’s need to climb up from their middling league position adds urgency to their campaign, potentially sparking a more focused and sharp performance this weekend. Expect Manchester United to leverage their resilience and recent strategic draws against stronger teams to secure a victory in this crucial away fixture.
America Bet Score Prediction
Fulham 1 – 2 Manchester United
Given the recent form and statistics of both teams, a narrow victory for Manchester United seems plausible. Fulham, despite being strong at home, have a habit of drawing games, and their defensive vulnerability could be exploited by Manchester United’s attackers, particularly if Bruno Fernandes continues his impactful performances. Manchester United, despite their struggles, have shown the ability to secure crucial points on the road against competitive teams. With Fulham’s mixed record at Craven Cottage and United’s desperation to improve their league standing, a 2-1 victory for the visitors is a reasonable expectation for this matchup.
America Bet Betting Tips
- Manchester United to win.
- Over 2.5 goals in the match.
- Bruno Fernandes to score at any time.
- Both teams to score.
- Manchester United to win 2-1.
- First half draw.
- Manchester United to score in both halves.
- Fulham to score the first goal.
- Total corners over 8.5.
- A goal to be scored in the last 15 minutes of the match.
