Manchester Utd vs Fulham Prediction & Betting Tips (16 August)

Only 8th last year, the Red Devils disappointed in the league, but saved their season thanks to a victory in the FA Cup final against Manchester City 1-2. This victory therefore gives them a ticket for the Europa League. In addition to this, United had correctly ended the season with two interesting successes against Newcastle 3-2 and on the lawn of Brighton 1-2, after suffering worrying defeats against Palace 4-0 and Arsenal 0-1. The summer preparation did not start ideally for this team with a defeat against Rosenborg 1-0 but it then took another turn with successes obtained against Glasgow Rangers 0-2, Arsenal 2-1 and Betis 3-2. Before the start of the championship, the Red Devils will challenge Liverpool then Manchester City in the Community Shield. Mixed season last year for Fulham who only finished in 13th place for their second season in a row in the Premier League .

It's a disappointment for them who finished 10th in their comeback season and who had great ambitions. We will still note a good semi-final reached last season in the EFL Cup, but a disappointing 1/16th final in the FA Cup. During the final straight, and without any real challenge since the maintenance was already acquired, the Cottagers were held by Palace 1-1 and Brentford 0-0, before a loss against the champion City 0-4, and a nice victory at relegated Luton 2-4 to finish well. This summer, the Londoners will face Benfica, Seville and Hoffenheim to prepare for this first meeting of the season. 

A priori, Malacia, injured in his knee, should miss the return to competition this Friday. This will also be the case for French recruit Lenny Yoro who suffered a broken foot shortly after his arrival from Lille. Many players have returned from loan and will be able to contribute to the team, like Pellistri, Hannibal and Sancho, while Greenwood, also returned, has definitely packed his bags for Marseille. The first big offensive recruit arrived from Bologna, the Dutch Zirkzee for more than 40 million euros. He joins a list of very interesting players already present last year, such as Bruno Fernandes (10 goals, 8 assists in PL), the nugget Kobbie Mainoo (3 goals in PL) or the striker Hojlund (10 goals in PL) from which we expect more. The one we really expect more from is Marcus Rashford, author of a very disappointing season with 7 goals and 2 assists in 33 games, very little compared to the 17 goals scored the previous year. In the opposite direction, the French Martial (free) and Varane (Como) left as did the young Kambwala (Villarreal) and the Spaniard Carreras (Benfica).

No particular injury to report on the Fulham side, but quite a few departures important which should further unbalance this formation. After Mitrovic last year, it was Palhinha who packed his bags this season, leaving for Bayern. To try to fill the departure of the key Portuguese player, we find Lukic or Andreas Pereira in the middle. Central defender Adarabioyo has taken charge of Chelsea. In the opposite direction, Ryan Sessegnon arrived from Tottenham. Carlos Vinicius and Mbabu returned to the squad after a loan, joining a correct defense made up of Diop or Bassey, including the full-backs Tete, Castagne and Robinson, and an attack which lacks level on paper despite the presence from Willian, Iwobi, Jimenez, Muniz or Wilson.