Fulham vs. Man Utd Prediction and Betting Tips: Two stats-based punts for Saturday's early kick-off

Data guru Scott Thornton has previewed this weekend's opening Premier League match and is siding with these two betting selections that you can read all about below. 

Marco Silva’s side are 12th in the table coming into this clash and move level on points with the Red Devils with a win here. They will want to come out of the blocks quickly and get after a United side that are still reeling after consecutive damaging defeats.

Issa Diop and Tosin Adarabioyo are out for the home side. Kenny Tete and Adam Traore both face late fitness tests. Manchester United still have several players out. Their back four from last season are still nowhere to be seen and Casemiro is out thanks to an injury picked up against Newcastle.

Fulham will be reasonably happy with the start they have made to the season. The loss of Aleksandar Mitrovic in the summer has been hard-felt. It’s impacted their ability to create chances but results have been more than acceptable.

Recent head-to-heads paint a damning picture for Fulham. They have a torrid record against Manchester United having failed to win any of their last 20 games against the 20-time champions of England. Over this period, they are conceding 2.5 goals per game and scoring just 0.88. However, they will fancy their chances of ending that drought against this current United side that lacks goals.

The wheels have fallen off at Manchester United once again. Erik Ten Hag had cast a composed and confident figure last season but a host of problems have spelt disaster for the second season of his tenure. 

Performances have been lacklustre and an early-season injury crisis doesn’t excuse the way the team have played thus far. Ten Hag was defiant after the Newcastle defeat but this is a tale that’s been repeated a few times since Sir Alex Ferguson drove off into the sunset in 2013.

Manchester United have suffered eight defeats in 15 matches already this season. In the games they have won, the performances have left a lot to be desired. It’s reached a stage where very few expect them to deliver at Craven Cottage this weekend and this makes for an intriguing betting proposition.

Injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw have had a huge impact on United’s defence. Ten Hag has been keen for his midfield to press high up the pitch but this has offered his backline no protection so it’s difficult to see them keeping a clean sheet at the moment. They have conceded in four of their five away matches in all competitions this season with their opponents averaging two goals per game.

Fulham have struggled for goals this season but their recent matches against United have seen plenty. Both teams have scored in the last five head-to-heads. Over that period there has been an average of three goals per game.

We are also backing each team to pick up a card. This bet has landed in Fulham’s four home matches in the Premier League. They have averaged 2.25 cards per game while their opponents have had 2.50. This bet has also won in all four of Manchester United’s league matches on the road. 

Our longshot bet for this weekend is the same as our main bet but I’m backing Fulham to pick up all three points. Manchester United are in freefall and the build-up to this game has been dominated by an inquest and talk of dressing room unrest.

Manchester United’s lengthy unbeaten records against certain sides have all bitten the dust in recent years and Fulham could well end their hoodoo against the Red Devils this weekend.