The new Premier League season gets underway with Manchester United entertaining Fulham and the Red Devils will be desperate to start the campaign on the front foot at Old Trafford on Friday evening.
United kept the faith in Erik ten Hag despite last season’s disappointing eighth-place finish and they will be hoping to build on last week’s penalty shootout defeat to fierce rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield.
The Cottagers finished 13th last season, following a run of only two wins in their final nine outings, but they won 2-1 at Old Trafford in February and will fancy their chances of delivering an opening-day shock.
- FULHAM OR DRAW DOUBLE CHANCE
- HARRISON REED TO BE SHOWN A CARD
- ANDREAS PEREIRA TO SCORE OR ASSIST
Red Devils Have Plenty To Prove
There is little incentive to be backing United at odds-on in their Premier League curtain-raiser, despite the fact that they were able to hold Manchester rivals City to a 1-1 draw before losing on penalties of the Community Shield last week.
United would have been lifted for a derby day duel at Wembley, but they failed to win nine of their 19 home league matches last season, not only losing to Fulham, but also suffering defeats to Brighton, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth and being held by relegated Burnley.
Ten Hag starts the season under pressure and they are hampered by injuries, with new signing Leny Yoro, star striker Rasmus Hojlund and left-back Luke Shaw expected to be among the absentees.
The Cottagers lost only two of their final eight away league games last season, which features that 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, and they’ve made some solid signings with Emile Smith Rowe arriving from Arsenal, Ryan Sessegnon joining from Tottenham and Jorge Cuenca making the switch from Villarreal.
Marco Silva is an excellent manager and, having finished tenth and 13th in the last two seasons, they are more than established enough to frustrate United in this campaign opener.
FULHAM OR DRAW DOUBLE CHANCE
Bet On The Premier League
Reed Could Play Key Role
Fulham would have loved to retain the services of Joao Palhinha but the Portuguese playmaker has been snapped up by German giants Bayern Munich, which could open up minutes for Harrison Reed.
Palhinha was vital in midfield for the Cottagers, deployed to break up the play and that led to plenty of tackles, fouls and cards.
That responsibility could now fall on Reed, who picked up four yellow cards in his final 10 Premier League starts last season. He committed a total of 26 fouls last term and only four Fulham players conceded more.
Up against Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, Reed will have a tough task on his hands and he may fall foul of the referee.
HARRISON REED TO BE SHOWN A CARD
Pereira Can Haunt Former Employers
Andreas Pereira was not given much of a chance by United but he has found his form at Fulham and could remind his former employers of what they may be missing.
The Brazil international scored only three times last season, but he chipped in with eight assists and four of those goal involvements came in his final eight Premier League appearances.
Pereira, now 28 years of age, should be in the peak of his career and he is now an established first-team member so may be looking to set an example against his former side at Old Trafford.
ANDREAS PEREIRA TO SCORE OR ASSIST
