Football Betting: Manchester United v Fulham

Fulham face a massive test in the Theatre of Dreams tonight, and Manchester United should win this contest with ease. The bookmakers also think so, and the 1/5 with Totesport about Sir Alex Ferguson's side looks fair.

The Cottagers haven't won against Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea or Man Utd for over four years and it seems that anyone who likes to smash into short prices has history on their side.

Ferguson was disappointed that his side left it so late to beat Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League last Tuesday and that delayed victory is just the sort of thing that Fulham excel at. Everyone and his dog knows that late goals have been an attribute of Fulham fixtures this season.

Ferguson should roll out his big guns tonight and link up Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez in attack. Those two should have the freedom of Manchester this evening as holding midfielder Owen Hargreaves should also make the line-up to bolster defence and wind up attacks. Ryan Giggs is also available which makes life very hard for the Londoners indeed.

Their injury list stretches out over the horizon and reads: Phillipe Christanval, Kasey Keller, Lee Cook, Ian Pearce, Brian McBride, Simon Elliot and Jimmy Bullard. Full-back Michael Volz should play, but he has only warmed up in a reserve fixture after experiencing shoulder, groin and foot problems.

Manchester United lost 1-0 to Bolton in their last league outing and you can look at that either way. United are weak and can be exploited, or they will be in no mood to suffer another defeat and will make short shrift of Fulham's challenge.

With Ferguson due to name his best players tonight, the latter explanation looks the most likely and Stan James's 11/2 that they win 2-0 looks good for us.

Verdict: 2pts Manchester United 2-0 @ 11/2 (Stan James)