Fulham v Manchester United
Football : English Premier League
Sunday 22 August 2010 - Kickoff 4pm

This game is live on TV

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Fulham

Fulham have a change in manager with Mark Hughes coming in to replace Roy Hodgson, one year after Fulham's most successful season. Unfortunately, Fulham could not quite go all the way in the Europa League, a thrilling cup run ended in the Final by Atletico Madrid, and now it is up to Hughes to push this side on further.

Since barely escaping relegation in 2008, Fulham have turned things round to such an extent that a visit to Craven Cottage is now considered a tough afternoon even for the top sides in the country. The Cottagers may have finished 12th in the Premier League last season as they became preoccupied with the Europa League, but they remained tough at Craven Cottage where they were 11-3-5, scoring 27 goals and conceding 15.

Moussa Dembele was signed this week from AZ Alkmaar, a player that was interesting the likes of Chelsea and Bayern Munich, so could be a real coup for Fulham. There are still strong rumours that Mark Schwarzer is going to move on to Arsenal so we could see David Stockdale maintain his place in the side. Paul Konchesky is also a doubt for this game and has been linked heavily with a move to Liverpool.

Possible Fulham Line Up: Stockdale, Kelly, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Gera, Murphy, Duff, Etuhu, Davies and Zamora (4-3-3)

Manchester United

You know the new season has arrived when Sir Alex Ferguson takes his first shot at one of his title rivals - this time it was the spending of Manchester City that has irritated the Great Scot.

Manchester United are desperate to regain the Premier League trophy and have made a very promising start to the new season with a win in the Community Shield and an easy home win over Newcastle United on Monday night.

United may have been pipped to the title last season by 1 point, but remained the most successful team away from home in the League. They finished the season with an 11-3-5 record away from home, scoring 34 goals and conceding just 16. This meant they had picked up the most away points in the League and also conceded the fewest goals.

Owen Hargreaves and Anderson are long term absentees who are not yet guaranteed a place in the 25 man squad United have to register on September 1st. Rio Ferdinand is still not fit to play, but there is an otherwise full squad to choose from.

Possible Manchester United Line Up: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Valencia, Park and Rooney (4-3-3)

Head to Head

Fulham will be feeling confident going into this match as they have recorded back to back Premier League wins over United at Craven Cottage. However, in both games the Gods seemed to conspire against the Red Devils as 2 men were sent off in the first defeat, while United had to start with Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher at centre back last season.

Those 2 wins for Fulham are their only successes in the last 12 matches between the sides in all competitions, United winning the other 10 games.

United had won on 4 straight trips to this part of West London before these 2 victories for Fulham.

Prediction

Fulham have been a very good side over the last couple of seasons under Roy Hodgson but will now have to work the same miracles with Mark Hughes at the helm. Hughes is a solid manager who I feel was a little unlucky at Manchester City and I think they will have a good season. They look a little light up front and seem too reliant on Bobby Zamora so I have been impressed with the signing of Dembele, albeit it looks a little late for this game.

Manchester United look full of desire at the moment and are sending out a lot of confident vibes to the fans where a big season is anticipated. The likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes remain key to the success, although I am sure United would love Wayne Rooney to break his goalscoring drought which has been in place since March.

The odds for a United win look reasonable enough to me and I think they will be good enough to do so. They have not had the best of luck in the last 2 visits to this part of London, but confidence seems high in the squad and there seems to be some genuine strength in depth there.

I will also pick Draw HT-Man Utd FT as I feel Fulham may play the Red Devils tough before falling away in the 2nd half.

The final bet on this game that I will play is Wayne Rooney to score at any time which is priced at odds against. He looked sharp in the game against Chelsea at Wembley and had a couple of half chances at Old Trafford against Newcastle United. I expect Rooney to lead the line on his own in this game, and with the service provided at United, I think he could bring home the bacon here.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Fulham 0-2 Manchester United

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Manchester United to WIN

I'll also take Wayne Rooney Anytime Scorer @ 2.0 (Centrebet)

Consider Draw HT-Manchester United FT @ 4.33 (Eurobet)