Manchester United may just make it back to the Champions League after all. The Red Devils are currently in fifth place in the Premier League standings and sit just two points behind Chelsea for fourth place. They have come live under their new manager, and they can taste a spot in the top four. Manchester United would love to move into the top four just before their Champions League Round of 16 clash next week, and a win over Fulham coupled with a Chelsea loss to Manchester City would do the trick.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from Craven Cottage in London, England at 7:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, February 9, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on NBCSN.
EPL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Fulham +393
Manchester United -158
Draw +307
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
Fulham are in major trouble. The Cottagers need to start winning ASAP, and they weren’t done any favors by most of the rest of the teams in the bottom half of the league over the last week. Fulham got their fourth win of the year in a 4-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion last Tuesday, but a loss to Crystal Palace really stung over the weekend. The club is now seven points from safety at this point, but at least things are better in the clubhouse. Aboubakar Kamara was loaned out to a Turkish club at the deadline, and it can’t hurt to not have a toxic presence around anymore.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been the savior for United. The Red Devils are 9-1-0 in all competitions since he has taken the reins from Jose Mourinho, and they have gotten some key results. They knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup and secured nice 1-0 wins against both Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City. The thing Solskjaer has done best though is just letting the team play. For whatever reason, Mourinho tried to make this a defensive club and that didn’t work out. Manchester United have been more free to attack under Solskjaer, and that has paid dividends.
Key Injuries
Alfie Mawson will not be taking part in this match for the side of Fulham. Marcus Bettinelli is out too for an undisclosed reason, and Cyrus Christie is doubtful with an injury. Andre Schurrle is questionable for this one because of a knock, while Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is questionable due to an ankle injury.
Marcos Rojo is the one injured player to report for the side of Manchester United. Rojo has been ruled out for the next couple weeks, and his return is anxiously anticipated.
Player to Watch
Marcus Rashford has thrived under Solskjaer. Rashford was thought to possibly be on his way out at Old Trafford after some middling performances under Mourinho, but the 21-year-old has been sublime over the last 10 games. He has scored in six of those 10 games, and he has been a terror with the ball at his feet and grass in front of him. The club is looking to make him a Red Devil for the long-term now.
Previous Meeting
Oddly enough, the last game that Mourinho won at Old Trafford was against Fulham. Four different United players found the back of the net in a dominating performance that resulted in a 4-1 victory for the hosts.
Prop Bet – Over 3.5 +147
Fulham’s defense has gotten better, but this is still the worst unit in the Premier League. The Cottagers have allowed nine more goals than any other team in the league, and they know their only hope is to go on the attack. They can’t settle for too many draws with their spot in the Premier League on the table, so they will open it up.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
I think the Cottagers stand more of a chance than most in this one. Manchester United has not been too great in the back, and they can be punished.
English Premier League Odds: Manchester United 3, Fulham 2
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