Fulham vs Manchester United: United slight favourites at Craven Cottage
Manchester United visit Fulham on September 20 with injury doubts on both sides and a 47.4% Opta win forecast.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
Fulham vs Manchester United takes place at Craven Cottage on Sunday, September 20, in a Premier League match scheduled for 15:30 GMT. Manchester United are slight favourites in Opta's forecast, but both clubs arrive after uneven starts and midweek cup results.
Al Jazeera reports that Opta assigns United a 47.4% chance of victory and Fulham a 28.3% chance, leaving a 24.3% probability for a draw. The figures point to an away win as the likeliest single outcome, rather than a firm prediction.
What is the latest Fulham vs Manchester United team news?
Fulham remain without Kenny Tete after the defender suffered a concussion at Liverpool, while Tom Cairney has a knee injury, according to Al Jazeera. Ryan Sessegnon faces a late fitness test on a groin problem.
For United, Luke Shaw and Carlos Baleba have been managing ankle problems and were due to be assessed before a decision on their involvement. Manuel Ugarte, Tom Heaton, Matthijs de Ligt and Amad Diallo were also reported to be unavailable.
Neither club had confirmed its starting lineup in the reports reviewed, so the following selections are projections rather than official teams.
Predicted lineups
The projected Fulham side is: Leno; Castagne, Affengruber, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Charles; Bobb, King, Iwobi; Garcia.
United's expected core is Lammens in goal, with Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Mainoo, Tielemans, Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha among those projected to start. The main uncertainty is on the left and in attack: Al Jazeera's projection has Shaw at left-back and Benjamin Sesko up front, while Sports Mole, Yahoo Sports and Sports Illustrated alternatives include Patrick Dorgu and/or Marcus Rashford.
Form and head-to-head record
United have won once in four league games, Al Jazeera reports, and lost 3-2 to Brighton in the League Cup after giving up a 2-0 lead. Fulham are still seeking a first league win under Alvaro Arbeloa, although they drew at Liverpool before beating West Ham 3-2 in the League Cup.
United won the latest meeting 3-2 at Old Trafford on February 1. The previous Premier League game at Craven Cottage ended 1-1, while Fulham's last home win over United came in December 2009, according to Al Jazeera.
The match gives United a chance to arrest their early-season slide before the international break, while Fulham can turn improved recent results into their first league victory of the campaign.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.