MY ACCOUNT
– Under 3.5 goals have been scored in three of Fulham’s last five home PL games
– Under 3.5 goals have been scored in four of United’s last six away PL games
– Recommended Bet: Under 3.5 Goals
Fulham entertain Manchester United on Sunday in what will be the final fixture before the Premier League takes a six-week break for the World Cup.
Eight days on from almost holding out for a point against ten-man Manchester City, Marco Silva’s side host the champions’ glamorous rivals at Craven Cottage.
But the Whites, who sit comfortably in mid-table, will again be without their talismanic forward Aleksandar Mitrovic for the game.
United have a couple of major fitness doubts in their star-studded attacking force as they look to bounce back from being outrun and outthought at Aston Villa last Sunday.
Team news
Mitrovic has been ruled out of the game with a foot injury that has dogged the Serbia striker since the last international break.
Silva deployed Carlos Vinicius up front against the champions last weekend and the Brazilian looks set to reprise the role on Sunday.
Neeskens Kebano and Manor Solomon are also sidelined because of longer-term injuries.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid returns after missing out through suspension at the Etihad Stadium, but Kenny Tete and Harrison Reed are now absent for the same reason after collecting their fifth yellow cards of the campaign in that 2-1 loss.
United have a potential problem at right-back where Diogo Dalot, who has started all 13 of their Premier League games this season, is unable to feature because of suspension.
Victor Lindelof has been deployed there a couple of times already this season by Reds boss Erik ten Hag while Tyrell Malacia can switch across from his usual left-sided role.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has played only four minutes of league football this season, is another option.
Bruno Fernandes will return to the midfield after he completed his one-match suspension for reaching five yellow cards last weekend.
Anthony Martial could earn a start after working his way back to fitness following a back injury, but Antony and Jadon Sancho are doubts after missing the last couple of games through injury
The stats
No Premier League team has been caught offside more times than United (31) this season while no team has successfully sprung the offside trap more times than Fulham (42).
The Red Devils are the only Premier League club to have gone on to win 100% of the games in which they have taken the lead this season (7).
Andreas Pereira has scored two goals in his first 14 Premier League games for Fulham — as many as he scored in 45 top-flight games for United.
Joao Palhinha has made the most successful tackles in the Premier League this season (56), although Casemiro has made more on a per-minute basis after racking up 32 in just six starts and four substitute appearances.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored seven goals in his last seven Premier League starts for United against Fulham.
Prediction
Fulham have played with an identity and purpose throughout the first half of the season, but much of their build-up play is geared towards feeding Mitrovic.
The Serbian’s absence will no doubt take an edge off their game here with Vinicius, who has scored once in 537 minutes of Premier League football, struggling to fill the centre forward’s role adequately.
Defensively, Fulham have tightened up a little in recent weeks.
The Cottagers have conceded only four goals in their last four games and maintained back-to-back home clean sheets against Aston Villa and Everton.
United have not been a particularly high-powered attacking force this season, scoring fewer Premier League goals than Leeds, Brentford or Fulham.
Therefore, expectations for a high-scoring affair should be tempered with Under 3.5 Goals in the game, available to back at 1/2 with LiveScore Bet, standing out as a value selection.
