Fulham welcome Manchester United to Craven Cottage on Sunday with both sides badly needing something positive before the international break.
Álvaro Arbeloa is still waiting for his first Premier League win as Fulham boss. The Cottagers have taken just one point from four games and sit inside the relegation zone.
However, that point came at Anfield last weekend.
Fulham frustrated Liverpool in a 0-0 draw before beating West Ham 3-2 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. There have finally been a few signs of life.
Manchester United could certainly do with finding some.
Michael Carrick’s side have four points from four league games. They then blew a 2-0 lead against Brighton on Wednesday and crashed out of the Carabao Cup with a 3-2 defeat.
It was the first time in 50 years that United had lost at Old Trafford after leading by two goals.
So, two teams under pressure meet at Craven Cottage.
Perfectly relaxing Sunday afternoon viewing.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Manchester City vs Sunderland betting tips, predictions and how to watch
What are the best betting tips for Fulham vs Manchester United?
Josh King 2+ shots
Josh King has been one of the few bright spots in Fulham’s difficult start.
The 19-year-old has scored two of their four Premier League goals this season. He is already their leading scorer.
More importantly for this market, King has registered at least two shots in all four league games.
That consistency makes the line attractive.
Fulham are creating more than their results suggest. They average around 15 shots per game and have produced 6.10 xG across their opening four matches.
United have also conceded in every Premier League game.
Arbeloa has been impressed enough with King to suggest he is already capable of playing senior international football for England.
“I don’t see too many players like him in this league.”
King should again operate centrally behind Gonzalo García.
That puts him in good positions to attack United’s midfield and arrive around the penalty area.
We don’t need another goal from him.
Two attempts will do.
Bryan Mbeumo 1+ shot on target
This has landed in all four of Manchester United’s Premier League games this season.
Mbeumo is averaging more than three shots per 90 minutes across all competitions. Five of his 12 attempts have hit the target.
Fulham’s defensive numbers also offer encouragement.
The Cottagers have conceded seven times in four league matches. Arbeloa admitted on Friday that his team have been giving away goals too easily.
That problem appeared again against West Ham in midweek.
“Maybe we are a little bit relaxing. I don’t know why but we need to improve.”
United certainly aren’t short of attempts either.
Carrick’s side are averaging around 20 shots per Premier League game, the highest figure among the teams playing on Sunday. They have registered at least 14 in every league match.
Mbeumo should therefore get opportunities.
One accurate effort looks a much better route than simply asking him to score.
Second half to be highest scoring half
Now for something away from the usual markets.
Manchester United’s four Premier League matches have produced 14 goals this season.
Ten of them have arrived after half-time.
That’s more than 70%.
There are a few reasons why the pattern could continue at Craven Cottage.
Both sides played in the Carabao Cup during the week. Therefore, tired legs could become a factor as Sunday’s game progresses.
Fulham’s defensive problems have also tended to appear once games become stretched.
Meanwhile, United have enough attacking depth to change things from the bench.
Benjamin Sesko, Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee are among Carrick’s options if they do not start.
This could begin cautiously.
However, once somebody needs to chase the game, spaces should appear.
We are backing most of the damage to come after the break.
BET £10 TODAY AND GET £30 IN FREE BETS TO USE ON THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WITH MIDNITE
Where can I watch Fulham vs Manchester United?
Fulham vs Manchester United kicks off at 4:30pm BST on Sunday, September 20 at Craven Cottage.
The match will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.
What have the managers said?
Álvaro Arbeloa
Arbeloa knows Fulham must improve defensively despite their better results over the last week.
“It’s always more or less the same when we score a goal – maybe we are a little bit relaxing.”
He wants his side to reproduce the level they showed during last weekend’s draw at Liverpool.
“We are facing one of the best teams in the world and we know that and we need to be ready.”
The Fulham boss also discussed the pressure surrounding Carrick.
“Every Premier League manager is under pressure.”
However, Arbeloa quickly pointed out that he faces the same demands after Fulham’s winless league start.
Michael Carrick
Carrick faced plenty of questions about his future on Friday after United’s defeat against Brighton.
He was not particularly interested in entertaining them.
“In terms of the future and ownership and how long I’ve got, it’s totally nothing.”
Instead, Carrick accepted responsibility for United’s poor start.
“It’s my responsibility and I’m fine with that. It’s not a blame game.”
The United boss remains confident his side can turn things around.
“It’s about finding solutions. It’s a whole collective thing.”
Carrick also confirmed that Luke Shaw and Carlos Baleba have a chance of returning at Craven Cottage.
What is Fulham’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Leno; Castagne, Affengruber, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Charles; Bobb, King, Iwobi; García.
Injured: Tom Cairney, Kenny Tete.
Doubt: Ryan Sessegnon.
Arbeloa is expected to make several changes after rotating heavily against West Ham.
King, Iwobi, Oscar Bobb and Gonzalo García should all return.
Meanwhile, Tete is unavailable after suffering a concussion. Sessegnon will be assessed after returning to training on Friday.
What is Manchester United’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martínez, Dorgu; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha.
Injured: Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Tom Heaton.
Doubts: Luke Shaw, Carlos Baleba.
Carrick could receive two important boosts before kick-off.
Shaw has a chance of returning from his hamstring problem. Meanwhile, summer signing Baleba could be involved for the first time.
Carrick said neither is certain to make the squad, so both will require late fitness checks.
Fulham vs Manchester United prediction
Neither side has done much to earn our trust yet.
Fulham are winless in the Premier League. However, their performances have not been quite as bad as one point suggests.
They average 13.3 shots and 1.5 xG per game. United are even higher at 19.5 shots and 1.8 xG.
The visitors have therefore been creating plenty.
Turning those chances into results has been the problem.
Fulham should also take confidence from shutting Liverpool out at Anfield last weekend.
History heavily favours United, though. They have lost only one of their last 21 Premier League meetings with Fulham.
I don’t see much between them on current form.
Both should get opportunities, particularly as the game opens up after half-time.
Another draw before the international break looks very possible, but United have the potential to have the edge here.
Score prediction: Fulham 1-2 Manchester United
READ MORE: Premier League betting tips 2026/27: Five outright price boosts worth a look
Some links in this article are affiliate links. EPL Bets receives commission from qualifying activity made through these links. This does not affect the odds or offers available to you. Odds available at the time of writing. 18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
