It’s the return of the Premier League on Friday evening in front of the Sky Sports cameras and here at GG we will be covering all the big games taking place in the English top-flight this season. Old Trafford plays host for the Premier League curtain-raiser as Manchester United host Fulham, as Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils look to bounce back from a penalty defeat to rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley at the weekend.
With home advantage, United are the clear 4/7 favourites to kick off their campaign with a win, while the visiting Cottagers, who finished 10th last season, are as big as 5/1 with bet365 to claim a shock win, while the draw is 18/5 with BetMGM.
Man Utd v Fulham Tips
Tip #1 – Issa Diop to score first goal @ 85/1 with Star Sports/AK Bets
Manchester United played some decent football at times in the Community Shield against a less than full strength Manchester City, but there’s still significant work to do for ten Hag, who will be desperate to hit the ground running. With a huge spotlight on his reign at The Theatre Of Dreams, the Dutch boss could take a few games to get up and running and Fulham have shown that they are a solid team.
One statistic that ten Hag will want to improve his United’s inability to defend set-pieces. They conceded a whopping 14 goals from set-pieces during the last Premier League campaign, so Marco Silva is sure to try and put pressure on a leaky United back line. Lisandro Martinez is likely to be the focal point of the United defence this season and he’s a man that lacks height and presence in the box, while Fulham have the towering Issa Diop, who is a constant menace from corners and free-kicks. If the former West Ham defender is given the chance he is more than capable of causing a huge fuss and the eye-bulging 85/1 for him to score the first goal with Star Sports is worth a speculative punt.
Tip #2 – HT/FT – Fulham/Man Utd @ 21/1 with BetVictor
In nine of United’s 19 home Premier League games last season they were losing at half-time, so that is certainly a figure that would alarm the Red Devils. So, with those frailties unlikely to have been rectified in the off-season then why not snap up the 21/1 with BetVictor for Fulham to be winning at half-time and United then to turn it around after the break and claim the victory.
United showed significant heart at times last season to claw their way back into matches and it would be no shock to see a similar thing happen on Friday night under the lights. Fulham only scored 55 goals in the league last season, so they are a side that may just sit back should they get ahead and if United can grab an equaliser then they are more than likely to go on and win the game.
Man Utd Performances So Far
It’s hard to assess pre-season form and with plenty of the Manchester United coming back late after a grueling Euro 2024 then you have to feel they will be stronger as the season goes on. However, two wins from six matches isn’t ideal for the North West outfit and defeat – albeit on penalties – to Manchester City last weekend would certainly not have given them a huge confidence boost.
Man Utd Results So Far
Monday 15th July – Rosenborg 1-0 Man Utd
Saturday 20th July – Man Utd 2-0 Rangers
Sunday 28th July – Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd
Thursday 1st August – Man Utd 3-2 Real Betis
Sunday 4th August – Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool
Saturday 10th August – Man City 1-1 Man Utd (Man City won 7-6 on penalties)
Fulham Performances So Far
Marco Silva has been able to focus more on the training ground with his Fulham side, who have won two of their three pre-season friendlies, so should head into the new season in decent form. They should have a pretty strong side ready to go on Friday night and having kept two clean sheets against Benfica and Hoffenheim then they have already shown they are going to be tough to beat.
Fulham Results So Far
Friday 2nd August – Benfica 0-1 Fulham
Monday 5th August – Fulham 1-2 Sevilla
Saturday 10th August – Hoffenheim 0-2 Fulham
