Analysis:

Manchester United will aim to get back to the top of the Premiership when they welcome Fulham to Old Trafford and fresh on their minds will be the 3-0 thrashing the Red Devils received the last time they met back in December at C raven Cottage.

One player who will be keen to erase that painful defeat will be Wayne Rooney, who surprisingly drew blanks on that day as he has now scored 30 goals this season and even scored two goals in the 4-0 demolition of A.C Milan in their last Champions League match.

Fulham on the other hand were beaten convincingly in Europe at the hands of another Italian side going down 3-1 to Juventus in their Europa League match.

But not much can be taken out of that as while United have more experience in Europe as well as greater resources, Fulham are releatively new in Europe and lacking experience.

But before the game starts, United knows they need to play catch up to both Arsenal and Chelsea as both London clubs won their matches against Hull and West Ham respectively.

Fulham meanwhile goes into this clash being unbeaten in their last five Premiership clashes. In that run they managed three wins, however their away record is suspect and have won just once on the road this season.

As for the team news before the start of the game, Michael Carrick will return to action after he was out of the Milan clash due to suspension. He will replace Scholes who scored his 100th career goal against Wolves last weekend before producing another excellent display against A.C Milan.

The match has come to soon for Ryan Giggs despite his return to training following his broken arm. But he is expected to be back in action for the clash with Liverpool next weekend.

For Fulham, captain Danny Murphy could be back as he faces a race against time to get back into shape following his groin injury. In attack Clint Dempsey could start after being out for two months. Dempsey has now recovered from a serious knee injury and came on as a substitute again st Juventus in midweek. Nicky Shorey who was cup tied in midweek could replace Paul Konchesky at left-back.

Take Manchester United to win this match, but just by a one goal difference.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Manchester United 2-1

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Manchester United to win here.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Fulham and accept the 1 3/4 ball here.