United will hope the authorised return of fans to Old Trafford can inspire them to a win that would confirm a second Premier League runners-up finish in four seasons.
Manchester United
Manchester United will hope the authorised return of fans to Old Trafford can inspire them to a win that would confirm a second Premier League runners-up finish in four seasons. Those attending should expect entertainment, given four of their last six league fixtures produced over 3.5 goals, and the previous five Premier League H2Hs featured an average of 3.8 goals per game. But will there be action at the ‘wrong’ end? Following Thursday’s 4-2 loss to Liverpool – the first time they’d lost twice at home within the space of three days since April 1958 – the ‘Red Devils’ have conceded more home league goals (27) this term than any campaign since 1969/70. Furthermore, only Burnley have realised a higher average of first-half corners at home than them this season (2.67)!
Fulham
Fulham seem unlikely to capitalise as a league-high 16 of their Premier League games; this season were goalless at the break, and they’ve not scored before HT in six matches. After their relegation was confirmed with three fixtures remaining, they’re playing for pride amidst a dismal eight-match winless run. Furthermore, the ‘Cottagers’ have won just one of their last seven league away fixtures following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Southampton. Having beaten Everton and Liverpool ‘to nil’ on the road this term, they’ll aim for one more big Northwest scalp, although they haven’t won here since October 2003.
Man United’s Mason Greenwood has scored six goals across his last seven Premier League appearances, with his side winning all five league games in which he netted after HT this campaign. Meanwhile, another talented teenager, Fulham’s Fabio Carvalho, netted his maiden Premier League goal against Southampton – also after HT.
A third (33.33 per cent) of Man United’s Premier League goals against this term came via set-pieces (excluding penalties) – a league-high.