Fulham meet Manchester United at Craven Cottage in the final Premier League match ahead of the mid-season break.
Victory could see Fulham go seventh if Brighton lose in the mid-afternoon kick-off, whilst Man Utd will consolidate fifth with a win heading into the break.
Team News
Bobby Reid will be available for Fulham after he missed their defeat at Manchester City through suspension last weekend.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (foot) is a doubt as the club continue to manage his condition ahead of the World Cup.
Harrison Reed and Kenny Tete are both suspended for this match but will be available for the Cottagers’ Boxing Day trip to Crystal Palace, following the mid-season break.
Neeskens Kebano (Achilles) and Manor Solomon (knee) remain absent.
Man Utd will be without Diego Dalot after he collected his fifth booking of the season at Aston Villa last weekend, which means that he is suspended for this visit to Craven Cottage.
Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo (both illness) and Antony (leg) are doubts.
Raphael Varane (muscle), Axel Tuanzebe, Brandon Williams (both unspecified) and Mason Greenwood (personal) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Fulham are winless in their last 13 league meetings against Man Utd (D3, L10).
- Man Utd are unbeaten in their last six visits to Craven Cottage (W5, D1).
- Both teams have scored in five of their last six league meetings.
- Each of Aleksandar Mitrovic’s last two goals at home for Fulham have come from the penalty spot.
- Coming into this matchweek, no Man Utd player this season has scored more league goals than Marcus Rashford (4).
Prediction
Despite suffering late heartbreak last weekend at Man City, Fulham should be proud of their defensive ability which frustrated the Citizens with a strong counter-attack style, yet they did waste chances throughout but this should be a game where they can fight hard given their week of preparation.
Man Utd meanwhile were put through the grinder in Thursday’s Carabao Cup win against Villa in which they ultimately were more clinical, amidst more sloppy defending which these Red Devils are prone to so it is difficult to predict what to expect here.
Fulham therefore surely have to make their better fitness advantage count and really attack Utd’s inconsistent defence, especially after their performance against City despite not having Mitrovic up front but Andreas Pereira surely will have a point to prove against his former team.
Do that then I can see the Cottagers winning because with the World Cup within sight for several Utd players, I suspect that some minds might be focused upon avoiding injury whereas Fulham can afford to go for it more.
Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Manchester United
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