Manchester United v Fulham
Football : England, Premier League 2009/2010
Sunday 14th March 2010 - Kickoff 1:30pm

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Manchester United

An impressive display in midweek to put AC Milan to the sword in the Champions League has given added confidence to this side which has won the Premier League for 3 straight seasons and looking to make history by winning a 4th. There are some big games to come at Old Trafford with the visits of Liverpool and Chelsea following this game, so 3 points are imperative with the close nature of the top 3 at the moment.

Manchester United came into the weekend as the top side but may find themselves dropping down to 3rd by the time this game kicks off. With both Arsenal and Chelsea expecting to pick up 3 points this weekend, United will be under a little more pressure come Sunday afternoon. They do have a strong home record this season, recording 12 wins from their 14 games with only Aston Villa picking up 3 points from their visit. United have scored 39 goals and conceded only 8 in that time, giving them the best home defensive record in the Premier League.

Confidence should have been restored to the side since their 3-1 humbling at Everton and they have followed that with 4 straight wins, including taking the first trophy of the season home in the form of the Carling Cup. Defensively they are looking stronger, only conceding 1 goal in the 4 games. United have recorded 6 straight wins at Old Trafford and have only conceded 2 goals at this ground in 2010. All 6 wins have come by 2 or more goal margins.

Michael Carrick is back in the squad after suspension in midweek ruled him out and he should slot into the side for Paul Scholes. I would expect United to resort to the 4-4-2 formation they have been favouring at home over the last few weeks.

Fulham

Fulham had a terrible European adventure on Thursday night when losing 3-1 at Juventus, so it can be expected that their side is getting tired after a long season. They have to play the 2nd leg of that European tie on Thursday and it might be possible that the side is looking ahead to that game as it represents a chance for a trophy.

It looks like Fulham will be in a good position for another season in the Premier League but a European position looks beyond them through their League position. Fulham are 10th in the Premier League at the moment but are only 1-6-7 away from Craven Cottage. They have only scored 11 goals away from home and have conceded 20.

Fulham had been unbeaten in 9 games before the defeat in Italy on Thursday night, keeping clean sheets in their 2 games prior to that game. They have failed to score in their last 4 away Premier League games, drawing the last 2 but losing 2 as well at Tottenham and Blackburn.

Clint Dempsey could make his return to the first team after making a short substitute appearance at Juventus. Danny Murphy is a concern but Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka are both back after being cup-tied in Europe.

Head to Head

Fulham have provided Manchester United with a couple of heavy defeats in their last 2 visits to Craven Cottage but have found life at Old Trafford much more difficult since winning 1-3 there in the 2003/04 season.

United have won their last 5 at home against Fulham since that defeat, and the last 4 have come by 2 goals or more.

Last season, United won this fixture 3-0.

Prediction

Manchester United have been very good at home, and they have the form player in Wayne Rooney in their side. Valencia and Nani are both providing excellent width as United push for their 4th straight title. They have been putting sides to the sword at Old Trafford in recent matches, and they need these 3 points as the next 2 visitors to this ground are Liverpool and Chelsea.

Fulham have been looking a little tired and it could be the long season catching up with this small squad. Roy Hodgeson is not likely to allow any of his sides lie down for any team but this could be the day when they take a bit of a beating.

The Cottagers looked tired defensively on Thursday night and I fear for them in this game. United have looked very strong in recent games, especially at home, while the defence is also getting back up to speed. I will expect another 3 points and another clean sheet for United.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Manchester United 3-0 Fulham

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Manchester United -1.75 Asian Handicap to win by a big margin.