Fulham and Manchester United will meet at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon, as both sides look to improve their early Premier League form.
Fulham has collected one point from four matches, while United has four points after an uneven start to the campaign.
Football Prediction: Manchester United to win
Fulham
Fulham has had a difficult start under Alvaro Arbeloa. They lost their opening three league matches against Chelsea, Sunderland and Crystal Palace before earning a 0-0 draw at Liverpool.
That point at Anfield gives them something to build on. Keeping Liverpool out should help the defense regain some confidence after conceding seven goals in the previous three games.
They followed that result with a 3-2 win over West Ham in the League Cup. Oscar Bobb scored the winner, with Rodrigo Muniz and Palacios also on target.
The concern is whether Fulham can defend with the same discipline when they need to offer more going forward. Both home league games have ended in 3-2 defeats, so scoring twice has still not been enough to take a point.
United should give them chances, but Fulham cannot afford another match in which every attack leaves their defenders exposed.
Arbeloa needs his midfield to stay close to the back line, especially when Bruno Fernandes moves into space around the penalty area. If Fulham stretches the game too early, the visitors have enough attacking options to take advantage.
Fulham Team News
Kenny Tete is unavailable under concussion protocols, while Ryan Sessegnon could return if he passes his fitness assessment. Tom Cairney remains sidelined with a knee problem.
Bernd Leno should start in goal, with Timothy Castagne expected to replace Tete on the right. David Affengruber, Calvin Bassey and Antonee Robinson are likely to complete the defense.
Sander Berge and Shea Charles should provide protection in midfield.
Bobb, Josh King and Alex Iwobi are expected to support Gonzalo Garcia, although Muniz has given Arbeloa another option after scoring in the cup.
Manchester United
Manchester United arrives after two frustrating defeats.
They lost 1-0 to Manchester City despite playing against 10 men for much of the derby. They then surrendered an early two-goal lead and lost 3-2 to Brighton in the League Cup.
Michael Carrick needs a response, especially from a defense that has yet to keep a Premier League clean sheet this season.
There is still a reasonable case for backing United here. They have attempted 84 shots across their first four league matches, the highest total in the division. Their 8.3 expected goals is also the second-highest figure.
Those numbers suggest they should create enough chances to trouble Fulham. The question is whether they can finish those opportunities and avoid giving the hosts an easy route back into the match.
Fernandes should be central to that. If he receives the ball between Fulham’s midfield and defense, United can bring Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha into the game closer to goal.
United also has a strong league record at this ground, going unbeaten across their last 10 visits, with eight wins and two draws.
Manchester United Team News
Matthijs de Ligt, Amad and Manuel Ugarte remain unavailable, while Tom Heaton is also sidelined.
Carlos Baleba could be involved, and Luke Shaw also has a chance of returning. Their availability will depend on the final assessments before kickoff.
Senne Lammens should return in goal, with Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez expected in central defense.
Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans are likely to start in midfield. Fernandes, Mbeumo and Cunha should return to the attacking lineup after the cup rotation, while Benjamin Sesko provides another option through the middle.
Fulham vs Manchester United key factors to consider
- Fulham has one point from four Premier League matches.
- Fulham has conceded three goals in each of their two home league games.
- Manchester United has four points and no league clean sheets.
- United has recorded a league-leading 84 shots this season.
- United is unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League visits to Craven Cottage.
- Fulham is without Tete, while Baleba and Shaw could return for United
Football tip
Fulham has shown signs of improvement, and United’s defensive problems give the home side a realistic chance of scoring.
Even so, the visitors’ chance creation is the strongest reason to back them. Fulham has struggled to keep opponents out at Craven Cottage, and United should have several of their main attacking players fresh after the cup rotation.
This could stay close, particularly if Fulham carries its recent confidence into the opening stages. United still looks capable of creating the better opportunities over the full match.
Manchester United to win is the selection.
Football Prediction: Manchester United to win
