Fulham welcome Manchester United to Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon with both teams looking for an important victory before the international break.

Neither side has made a convincing start to the Premier League season. Fulham are still searching for their first league win, while United have collected only four points from their opening four matches.

Fulham showing signs of improvement

Fulham have struggled to turn competitive performances into victories during the opening weeks of the season.

They lost 3–2 against both Chelsea and Crystal Palace before holding Liverpool to a goalless draw. That result showed better defensive organisation, although Fulham have still scored fewer league goals than they would have expected.

Their confidence should have improved during the week. Fulham progressed in the League Cup with a 3–2 victory away to West Ham, proving that they can create chances when the match becomes open.

Playing at Craven Cottage gives them an opportunity to trouble a Manchester United defence that has looked vulnerable. However, Fulham have also conceded three goals in three different matches this season.

Manchester United under pressure

Manchester United travel to London after a difficult week.

Michael Carrick’s team lost 1–0 against Manchester City despite playing against ten men for more than an hour. They then surrendered a two-goal lead against Brighton in the League Cup, conceding three times to lose 3–2 at Old Trafford.

United have now lost three of their six matches in all competitions and have only one league victory from four attempts. Their attacking performances have been inconsistent, while the defence continues to give opponents opportunities.

There is still enough individual quality in the team to cause Fulham problems. Bryan Mbeumo has scored twice this season, while Bruno Fernandes remains capable of creating chances even when United are not controlling the match.

United have dominated at Craven Cottage

Recent form makes United difficult to trust, but their record in this fixture is excellent.

They have not lost a Premier League match at Craven Cottage since 2009 and are unbeaten on their previous ten league visits. United have also lost only one of the last 21 league meetings between the teams.

The previous meeting at Craven Cottage ended 1–1, while United recorded a 3–2 victory when the teams met at Old Trafford later in the season.

Verdict

Manchester United have the stronger squad and an excellent record in this fixture, but their current form makes a straight away victory too risky.

Fulham have scored three goals against both Chelsea and West Ham, while United conceded three against Brighton after leading 2–0. At the same time, the visitors should create chances against a Fulham defence that has already experienced problems of its own.

Both teams have reasons to push for the victory, and neither defence looks reliable enough to expect a clean sheet. A 1–1 draw or a narrow 2–1 United victory appears most likely.

Tip

Both teams to score