Manchester United and Fulham kick off the 2024-25 Premier League season.
The two sides meet at Old Trafford on Friday evening and it has the potential to be a cracking start to the new campaign.
United go into the match as favourites but write Fulham off at your own peril.
Read on for NetBet’s first Premier League match preview of 2024-25 and new customers can play our exciting Correct Score Predictor this weekend, with £5,000 up for grabs!
Manchester United vs Fulham
Friday, August 16, 8pm
Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Live on Sky Sports
Manchester United vs Fulham Preview
United go into the fixture on the back of a fairly decent display against Manchester City in the Community Shield.
The Red Devils eventually lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw but they were arguably the better side overall at Wembley.
And there was more good news for Erik ten Hag ahead of this league fixture as the arrivals of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui in a double deal from Bayern Munich were officially confirmed on Tuesday evening.
Both players are expected to feature against Fulham with fellow summer signing Leny Yoro out injured and it is a real and much-needed show of intent from United in the transfer market – and the perfect way to follow up a promising display against the Premier League champions.
The need for fresh faces was clear but it now means Ten Hag has no excuses when it comes to delivering improved results in 2024-25.
But while there is far more positivity hanging over Old Trafford when compared to the majority of last season, Fulham will still fancy their chances of getting a result on Friday evening.
The Cottagers’ forward line has been strengthened by the arrival of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal, with the England international scoring in each of his two pre-season appearances.
He could form part of an exciting forward line alongside Alex Iwobi, Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz – and Smith Rowe’s skill-set is perfect for Marco Silva’s dynamic style of play.
However, the loss of Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich is a big blow to Fulham and United midfielders may be afforded more space in the middle of the park as a result of his absence.
This could allow Red Devils skipper Bruno Fernandes to dictate proceedings, while Fulham’s full-backs may be forced to drop deeper without the defensive support previously offered by the brilliant Palhinha.
All the signs point to an exciting start to the new season!
Manchester United vs Fulham Odds
*Odds are subject to change
You will not be shocked to learn that United are the favourites here at 1.55. Fulham are at 5.60 to pull off an opening weekend upset.
Manchester United vs Fulham Betting Tips
Manchester United to score over 0.5 goals in the first half @ 1.48
With the Old Trafford crowd set to be in full voice, we fancy United to respond with a first-half goal. Whether they go on to win is another matter entirely, though…
Manchester United to win and both teams to score @ 2.59
But we do fancy the Red Devils to eventually get the job done on home soil, albeit with goalkeeper Andre Onana having to pick the ball out of his net. United conceded 58 goals last season and only kept one clean sheet in their five pre-season outings.
Bruno Fernandes to score anytime @ 2.76
With Rasmus Hojlund injured and Joshua Zirkzee not yet up to speed, a more advanced role beckons for United captain Fernandes. The Portuguese will also be on penalty duty, which only strengthens his claim for an opening weekend goal.
Manchester United Team News
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Onana, Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Mainoo, Mount, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford
Injuries: Hojlund, Yoro, Shaw, Malacia
Doubts: Maguire, Lindelof
Fulham Team News
Predicted XI (4-2-3-2): Leno, Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Reed, Lukic, Pereira, Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Muniz
Injuries: None
Doubts: None
Score Prediction
Fulham will give it their all at Old Trafford but United’s superior firepower should see them pick up three precious points.
Manchester United 2-1 Fulham
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