Prediction: Manchester United vs Fulham

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Manchester United and Fulham are set to do battle at Old Trafford in the final round of the Premier League season on Sunday. Their clash could be an interesting one for several reasons, even though its outcome won’t decide too much.

Manchester United

For the 20-time English champions, this game will decide if they end the campaign in third or in fourth place. Both spots lead into the Champions League next season so it doesn’t appear to matter much, apart from pride and a slight difference in reward money the clubs receive. It will also be a decent prelude to a much more important and more difficult contest – the FA Cup final against Manchester City on June 3rd.

United’s season has certainly represented an improvement on previous campaigns. They’ve secured a place in the Champions League and won the Carabao Cup already, and could add the FA Cup to their achievements under Erik ten Hag before the end. The Dutch tactician has certainly lifted the mood around the club and some unpleasant moments – such as the fallout with Cristiano Ronaldo and the 7-0 thrashing at the hands of arch-rivals Liverpoool at Anfield – seem like distant memories now.

The Red Devils are currently third in the Premier League table, 17 points behind champions Manchester City, nine behind runners-up Arsenal, two ahead of Newcastle in fourth, and most importantly, six ahead of Liverpool in fifth.

United’s form picked up just in time to secure a top-four finish as it came under threat through Liverpool’s seven-game winning run. Their last six started with a 1-0 home win over Aston Villa. Then they lost 1-0 away to Brighton and Hove Albion and 1-0 away to West Ham, before bouncing back with a 2-0 home win over Wolves, a 0-1 win away to Bournemouth, and a 4-1 win at home over Chelsea.

Team News

Defender Lisandro Martinez is out of action through an ankle problem, as are midfielders Donny van de Beek and Marcel Sabitzer (knee) and winger Antony (ankle). Defender Luke Shaw is a doubt.

With David De Gea in goal, Raphael Varane should be joined by Victor Lindelof in the heart of defence, with the resurgent Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right and Tyler Malacia (if Shaw isn’t fit) on the left. Casemiro will be in the middle of the park, joined by Christian Eriksen. With Bruno Fernandes in the No.10 role, Marcus Rashford should start on the left side of attack, and Jadon Sancho on the right, while Anthony Martial leads the line upfront. Alternatively, Ten Hag could go with Wout Weghorst upfront.

Fulham

For a team that returned to the Premier League last summer, Fulham have done extraordinarily good this term. They came close to being involved in the race for European spots and reached the FA Cup semifinal, where they were notoriously stopped by Manchester United at Old Trafford. Therefore, revenge will be a strong motive as the Cottagers make their way north, after Willian and Aleksandar Mitrovic, along with manager Marco Silva, all got sent off in that game.

Mitrovic was subsequently banned for eight matches for an angry outburst at the decision by the referee to award United a penalty and send Willian off. The Serbia international will therefore be eager to leave his mark in this game, and a motivated Mitrovic will surely be a tough challenge for Varane and Lindelof. Willian won’t be short on motivation either.

Competitively, this game doesn’t change anything for Fulham. They will finish the season in 10th place – going to Old Trafford four points behind Brentford in ninth and eight points ahead of Crystal Palace in 11th.

Fulham’s recent form hasn’t been that great, but it hasn’t been too bad either. Their last six-run started with three understandable defeats: 1-0 away to Aston Villa, 1-2 at home to Manchester City, and 1-0 away to Liverpool. Then came a 5-3 win at home over relegation-threatened Leicester City, a 0-2 win away to Southampton (already relegated now), and a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at home.

Team News

Former United attacking midfielder Andreas Pereira is out, having undergone ankle surgery earlier this month. Defender Tim Ream (arm) and Layvin Kurzawa (knee) are unavailable too. Winger Daniel James could return to face his former club after a hamstring injury, but his involvement isn’t certain at this point.

With Bernd Leno between the posts, Tosin Adarabioyo is expected to pair up with Issa Diop in the heart of defence, with Kenny Tete on the right and Antonee Robinson on the left. Harrison Reed should join Joao Pahlinha in the middle of the park, while trio of Harry Wilson, Tom Cairney and Willian supports Mitrovic in attack.

Conclusion

Make no mistake, United are the favourites to win this game through their undoubtedly higher level of quality and the home-ground advantage, though Fulham are expected to give them a hard afternoon, much harder than Chelsea did earlier this week.

With nothing to lose, the Cottagers will surely seek to attack, and it’s more than likely that neither goalkeeper keeps a clean sheet.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Olympusbet