Manchester United will be looking to continue their fine form on the road as they travel to Fulham on Wednesday, and Jake Pearson has previewed the match, picking out his best bet.
Football betting tips: Premier League
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Fulham v Manchester United
- 20:15 GMT on BT Sport 1
- Match odds: Home 21/4 | Draw 10/3 | Away 1/2
Six games into the season and it looked like a swift return to the Sky Bet Championship was all but inevitable for Fulham, amassing just one point while conceding 14 goals, but fast-forward three months and the Cottagers have reason to be optimistic, Scott Parker’s side seemingly finding a reserve of resolve and determination to grind out a string of improbable good results.
In fact, Fulham were unbeaten in five Premier League matches prior to their 1-0 defeat at home to Chelsea at the weekend, and they may consider themselves slightly unfortunate not to have come away from that match with at least a point - their task made much more difficult by Antonee Robinson’s first-half red card.
Fulham struggled defensively in the early part of the season, but a switch to a back five seems to have really helped plug the gaps. In fact, since Parker made the switch to a back five against Leicester in November, Fulham have lost just two of the eight matches they have played with the formation, and those defeats came at the hands of Manchester City and Chelsea.
The betting suggests this match should be something of a formality for Manchester United, the away side currently priced up around the 8/15 mark, but Fulham’s recent performances suggest this could be a much more tightly-knit affair than the bookmakers anticipate.
Manchester United’s stalemate with Liverpool at the weekend saw them keep their place at the top of the Premier League tree, three points ahead of last season’s champions.
Some pundits suggested that United may feel frustrated at not having ended Liverpool’s long unbeaten home record, particularly considering Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men arguably had the better chances, but converting has been a bit of an issue for Manchester United of late, scoring just five times in their last six matches in all competitions.
🧤 Better late than never, the chances are now coming at Anfield as Paul Pogba is denied by Alisson at point-blank range#MUFC #LFC #LIVMUN pic.twitter.com/5bC6QEsHFH
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) January 17, 2021
This game will be United’s third successive match away from home, but Ole will not be complaining about that with his side boasting the best away record in the Premier League, winning seven of their nine matches on the road this season, picking up 23 points from a possible 27.
There are a few angles into this match, under 2.5 goals makes appeal, as does Manchester United to win by one goal – something that has occurred in seven of the 11 matches Ole’s side have won this season – but neither selection represents value, so it may be best looking elsewhere, and the corner market looks a good place to start.
Fulham have been awarded 32 corners at home this season, that is an average of 3.56 per match, and is the lowest total of any team in the league, and while Manchester United’s away form has been mightily impressive this season, only West Brom, Southampton and Newcastle have won less corners on the road, United having been awarded just 33 – an average of 3.67 per match.
The price for under 9.5 corners to be awarded in this game is currently available to back at 11/10 with some bookmakers, which does represent value, but it may be worth taking an even bolder stance here and siding with under 8.5 at a best price of 15/8.
Under 8.5 corners has landed in seven of Fulham’s 17 matches this season (41%), including in five of their nine home matches (56%), while the same selection has occurred in eight of Manchester United’s 18 matches this season (44%), including in four of their nine away matches (44%).
Given these percentages then, and the fact that the current price for less than nine corners in this match suggests a 36% chance, it looks a selection well worth siding with.
Score prediction: Fulham 0-1 Manchester United (Sky Bet odds: 6/1)
Fulham v Manchester United best bets
Opta facts
- Since their 2-1 win against Leicester in November, Fulham have scored three goals in seven Premier League matches (D5 L2), failing to score on four occasions in that run.
- Fulham have failed to score in each of their last three home league games. They last went four without a goal at home in August 1969, while they last did so in the top-flight back in December 1961.
- Manchester United are looking to record three consecutive Premier League clean sheets for the first time since February 2020.
- Manchester United are the only side without an away defeat in the Premier League so far this season (W7 D2), while the Red Devils have picked up the most points (23) and scored the most goals (22) on the road in the competition this term.
- Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 16 Premier League away games. In their top-flight history, they’ve only once gone longer without defeat on the road – 17 games between December 1998-September 1999.
Odds correct at 1330 GMT (19/01/21)
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