English Premier
2011-12-21 - Fulham vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : Premiership
Wednesday 21st December - Kickoff 8:00pm
Fulham
Saturday's win over Bolton was Fulham's second win in 3 games to move them into 11th place from 14th. This Wednesday they host second placed Man United in one of the matches of the round.
Jol's side are playing some good football at the moment as they balance the Europa League and domestic football. The West Londoners have only tasted defeat once in their last 5 games and will fancy their chances against an injury hit United.
The form at Craven Cottage is modest at best with 3 wins from 8 games and 2 defeats. Jol's men failed to win their first 3 home games drawing all of them before they finally beat QPR (6-0) in October.
That win was short lived as Fulham crashed 1-3 to Everton next time out, unfortunately the same scoreline occurred as Spurs took the points on their visit to Craven Cottage. It left Fulham with one of the worst home records in the league.
However, since then Fulham has beaten Liverpool (1-0) and then Bolton (2-0). Fulham are a side I like to back when at home so to see them win their last 2 to nil sets them up nicely for Wednesday's game.
Fulham Team News
Grygera and Schwarzer miss out whilst doubts remain over Davies, Sidwell and Zamora.
From the early reports Johnson will partner Demebele up top with Zamora missing out. In the middle of the park Ruiz, Murphy, Etuhu and Dempsey have all shown good form recently and should compete with United's midfield.
The loss of Schwarzer is a blow but Stockdale is good upcoming keeper. The likes of Hangeland and Senderos will need big games to hold off Rooney and Hernandez.
Man United
United returned to the top of the table for a few hours before City beat Arsenal and pushed the Red Devils back into second place. On Wednesday they face a solid Fulham side at Craven Cottage which won't be an easy game at all.
United looked in complete control on Sunday winning 2-0 when they could/should have won by a lot more. The defence was in control for the most part with just 1 glorious chance squandered by DJ Campbell. Going forward Rooney was a constant threat and appears to have found his feet again after a quiet 2 months.
On the road United has the best record in the league with 6 wins from 8 games and 0 defeats. The two sides to hold United are Stoke (1-1) and Liverpool (1-1) of whom are very tough places to visit. The United wins were at WBA (1-2), Bolton (0-5), Everton (0-1), Swansea (0-1), Villa (0-1) and last time out at QPR (0-2).
Of their 6 wins 5 have been to nil which is sensational on the road. Despite having injuries the team is playing well and getting it done, whilst City are blowing sides away, United have been matching them but at a more gentle pace.
There was a fear about scoring goals but with 6 in their last 2 games as well as scoring 14 in 8 away games It's safe to assume United will carry a big goal threat on Wednesday.
Man United Team News
Cleverley,Fabio da Silva, Fletcher, Anderson, Owen and Vidic miss out with Rafael da Silva, Gibson doubts.
United will stick to the same side that won at the weekend with perhaps Hernandez starting ahead of Wellbeck. Apart from that the back 4 and midfield 4 looks settled so I don't see any other changes.
The Betting Verdict
Fulham has avoided defeat here on the last 3 occasions and look well set to give United a good game this time around to.
United are back to winning ways and have only dropped points in 1 of their last 7 games winning 6. I think the side is playing too well to no score and will definitely get at least one.
At the other end despite United's solid defensive record away from home I think Fulham has enough in them to get a goal themselves having scored in their last 6 at home.
Both to score has hit in 4 of the last 6 games and with Schwarzer also out for Fulham I think United will have enough in them to get a goal. QPR were awful on Sunday but still created one excellent chance, if Fulham get one I think they will take it.
Good Luck
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Fulham 1-2 Man United
