English Premier
2026-09-20 - Fulham vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 20th September 2026 - Kick Off 4:30pm
This game is live on TV
Fulham
Securing the first Premier League points of the Alvaro Arbeloa era and then following on to reach the League Cup Fourth Round has to give Fulham a boost. It has been a difficult opening month of the season, but Fulham have some momentum and winning this last fixture before the first international break of the season will settle everyone down.
They begin this weekend in 18th place in the Premier League table, but Fulham do have the first point secured following a battling display at Anfield. Now they will be looking to get things moving at Craven Cottage where Fulham have a 0-0-2 record in the Premier League having scored 4 goals and conceded 6.
Fulham have beaten Wimbledon and West Ham United in the League Cup run, but they had lost the opening 3 Premier League games before the draw with Liverpool last Saturday. Both home League fixtures have ended in 2-3 defeats to Chelsea and Crystal Palace, and so it is clear to the Fulham manager that the defensive performances have to improve.
Ryan Sessegnon and Tom Cairney are both expected to miss this game and will be pushing to return when the Premier League resumes next month.
Manchester United
A poor summer transfer window has built up immediate pressure on Manchester United's board, but the poor results mean the attention has shifted onto Michael Carrick in his role as manager. Once again, Manchester United have made an interim manager permanent, but this time the drop in standard has occurred much more quickly than anyone could have imagined.
The controversial defeat in the Manchester derby has dropped Manchester United into 13th place in the Premier League table and they have picked up just 4 points from a possible 12 to open this season. It is a poor return when you consider the fixtures played, while Manchester United travel to West London with a 0-1-1 away record.
Manchester United have won 1 of the last 4 games in all competitions and that was against Azerbaijan Champions Sabah at Old Trafford, while back to back defeats have heaped the pressure on Michael Carrick. Both losses have been at Old Trafford, while Manchester United have now won 1 of the last 4 away Premier League games played.
Luke Shaw is hoping to be available, while the likes of Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are expected to be restored to the starting lineup. Others like Matthijs de Ligt, Carlos Baleba and Amad could be available after the international break.
Head to Head
Manchester United took four points from Fulham in the Premier League last season with the majority earned at Old Trafford.
The game at Craven Cottage finished 1-1 which means Manchester United are unbeaten in 10 visits to this ground.
However, Fulham snapped an 8 game losing run at Craven Cottage against Manchester United when drawing in August 2025.
Prediction
The final fixture of the Premier League weekend ahead of a three week break feels very, very important for Michael Carrick.
The international break has been seen as a good time for clubs to assess in previous years, but this season we have an extra week in the opening break and that makes it that much more uncomfortable for struggling managers.
Manchester United's board have previously shown some patience, but they will be under a huge amount of pressure if the side are to lose for a third time in a week.
Confidence is an issue, but the lack of intensity or desire is really worrying.
It did take a controversial goal for Manchester City to win the derby last Sunday, but Brighton's win in the League Cup Third Round on Wednesday led to a cascade of boos from the stands. Things have already turned pretty toxic and another failure will really begin to see the situation unravelling and that is a massive concern for all associated with the club.
You can imagine Manchester United remain confident they can break down this Fulham team that have conceded six goals in two League games at Craven Cottage. The forward line remain talented, if a little unbalanced right now, and Manchester United did score twice in a draw at Everton.
However, Fulham are going to be just as confident in hurting a Manchester United defence that has looked all at sea at times.
Set pieces are one avenue, but Fulham have also been pretty effective in open play as Alvaro Arbeloa has allowed his team to express themselves and Fulham may be in a position to beat Manchester United for the first time since December 2009.
Make no mistake, Manchester United are a shocking price on current form- they have not played that well away from home since Michael Carrick took over as manager, although the results have sometimes papered over the performance.
It was a draw when the teams met thirteen months ago, but there is every chance that this one ends 2-1 either way and so backing goals may be the way to go.
Fulham can make things very awkward for Michael Carrick, but he will also be expecting a response from the team after the debacle in the League Cup and so this may end up being an entertaining fixture for those tuning in, although a nervy one for the fans of both teams and especially for those in the red of Manchester United.
Those backing short prices may look for this fixture to feature at least three goals, but Manchester United are likely going to be severely tested and this should allow Fulham to have at least four shots on target. They have managed six in each of the opening two League games at Craven Cottage, while Manchester United have allowed both Hull City and Everton to hit that mark and it could be more of the same for Michael Carrick’s team this weekend.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Fulham 2-2 Manchester United
