English Premier
2012-08-25 - Manchester United vs Fulham
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 25 August 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Manchester United
It was not the start that Manchester United would have wanted as they were beaten 1-0 at Everton on Monday night, but the performance will have really bothered some of the fans rather than the final result. There were some positives, in particular Shinji Kagawa, but Old Trafford will be expecting a lot more in this game.
United only dropped 10 points at home during the entire season last year, but they will want to improve on their 15 League wins from their 19 games. They did score 52 goals in those games and only conceded 19, and I expect the number conceded to be reduced now that Nemanja Vidic is back.
The team have won 8 of their last 9 Premier League games at Old Trafford, although the exception was the 4-4 draw with Everton that ultimately cost them the title as they blew a 4-2 lead in the final ten minutes. Manchester United actually conceded just 5 goals in those last 9 League games at home, including the 4 to Everton.
Jonny Evans may just be making a recovery in time to return to the side and leave Michael Carrick in his more accustomed midfield spot. Robin Van Persie may also be given a start for his home debut, while the likes of Danny Welbeck and Nani could be dropped.
Fulham
After all the distraction of Clint Dempsey's refusal to play for Fulham last week, it would have been easy for Martin Jol's side to put in a lacklustre display on the opening day of the season. However, that wasn't the case as they demolished Norwich City 5-0 at Craven Cottage with a number of debutants impressing.
Craven Cottage has always been a tough place for visiting teams and has been the basis of Fulham's successful efforts in first staying and then establishing themselves as a Premier League club. However, their away form has always been a little iffy and it was the same again last season as they finished 4-5-10 in the League and only managed to score 12 goals while conceding 25.
Fulham have won 3 and lost 6 of their last 9 away games in the Premier League. It was a highlight of their lack of goals as they scored in all 3 away games that they won (obviously), but only managed to score 1 goal in their 6 away losses.
Philippe Senderos missed the game against Norwich last week but could be back in the squad for this one. Clint Dempsey is 'on strike' and will not be travelling to Manchester.
Head to Head
Fulham stunned Manchester United with a 1-3 win at Old Trafford in the 2003/04 season but they have really not enjoyed much success here since then.
In fact, Fulham have lost their last 8 visits to United in the Premier League and they haven't even managed to get on the scoreboard in the last 5.
Prediction
I think there is a going to be a really positive reaction by Manchester United to their performance against Everton on Monday night and that does not bode well for Fulham who have rarely enjoyed success travelling to this ground, and especially not in recent seasons.
Last season the game ended 1-0 to United, but that was down to the tension they were feeling with the title race hotting up and that has been the most uncomfortable they have been in their last 8 wins against Fulham.
I was torn between two picks, one being United to cover the Asian Handicap and the other being United to win to nil.
However, the defensive injuries have inspired me to go with the former and I'll look for United to show a more positive attacking performance and take the game to Fulham.
Before last season, United had beaten Fulham by at least 2 goals in 6 straight games at Old Trafford, including times when Fulham actually got on the scoreboard. With the goal difference loss of the title on United's minds from last season, they are unlikely to stroll through games as they had a tendency to do at times last season.
I don't want to under-estimate Fulham, but they are not the same team on their travels as they are at Craven Cottage and they have a number of new faces that may just be overawed by this first away game when they will be under pressure for much of the game.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 4-1 Fulham
