English Premier
2012-09-29 - Fulham vs Manchester City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 29 September 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Fulham
I don't think there would have been too many people predicting Fulham would come into this fixture higher in the Premier League table than the Champions, but that will be the case this weekend. The change in personnel at the club hindered Fulham at West Ham United recently, but they have looked much more settled since that loss at Upton Park.
The side are 6th in the Premier League table after picking up 9 points from their opening League games. Fulham have won both home games they have played this season, scoring 8 goals and keeping a couple of clean sheets.
Back to back League wins have propelled Fulham up the table and will have ensured the fans don't have to worry about a potential relegation scrap. Fulham have made Craven Cottage a tough venue for visitors in recent seasons and their form shows they have won 4 straight Premier League games here and they have only lost 1 of their last 12.
Kieran Richardson, Kerim Frei and Simon Davies are all hoping to pass fitness tests to make themselves available for selection. Mahamadou Diarra and Philippe Senderos are both missing and may not be back in contention until after the next international break.
Manchester City
I have been musing whether Roberto Mancini's continuous complaints about Brian Marwood and the way they went about their business in the transfer window is now having an effect on the squad. They just haven't been as free-flowing as last season and the team do look much more vulnerable than they did for much of last year.
Manchester City are 7th in the Premier League having also picked up 9 points this season, although they are still unbeaten. The problem for City has been turning draws into wins, especially away from home where they have drawn both League games this season while scoring and conceding 3 goals.
A loss to Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup would be a disappointment as City have now failed to win in 4 games in all competitions and they have won just 1 in 6. City have failed to win any of their last 3 away games in all competitions, although they did at least end the last Premier League season with 3 straight away wins. They have now won just 5 of their last 15 away Premier League games.
Micah Richards is out, while both Maicon and Samir Nasri have been ruled out. I am expecting a number of changes to the starting line up compared with Tuesday night, although they also have a big Champions League game during the week.
Head to Head
Manchester City are now unbeaten in 7 games in all competitions against Fulham.
City are unbeaten in their last 6 visits to Craven Cottage, winning 3 of those games, although they did blow a 0-2 lead here last season in a 2-2 draw.
Prediction
I went against Manchester City when they recently visited Stoke City because of their poor away record in the Premier League over the last 12 months, but that won't be the case for me this week.
However, odds on quotes on the away win are a joke to say the least considering they have only won 33% of their last 15 away games in the Premier League and they do have an important Champions League game next on the schedule.
LAMPS has written a preview about this game potentially having at least 3 goals and the fixture has produced goals in the last few seasons with 6 of the last 7 at Craven Cottage seeing at least 3 goals shared, while 13 of the last 15 overall has also seen that happen.
Fulham are a good side at Craven Cottage, but they play attacking football that could be exploited against the best teams in England and that is why I believe Manchester City will win this game.
Last season, Fulham lost 4 home games and they conceded 3 in each of those with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United recording comfortable wins here.
City have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 visits to this part of West London and they had won 2 straight before losing a 0-2 lead last season.
My gut feeling is Manchester City are going to win for the third time in four seasons here, but I am instead going to have a small interest on them winning with at least 3 goals scored in the match.
The stats are definitely pointing to goals in the match and the return of Sergio Aguero should boost the City front line and the 2.87 offered by Ladbrokes looks worth backing.
The Statistics :
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Pick :
Fulham 1-3 Manchester City
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Manchester City Win and at least 3 Goals Scored (Quatro) @ 2.87 (Ladbrokes)
