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Manchester United v Fulham Preview: Expect The Champs To Go Three Points Clear

Thanks to a superb effort by Stoke in holding Manchester City to a draw at the weekend, Manchester United tonight can go three points clear at the top of the table if they beat Martin Jol’s attractive Fulham side at Old Trafford.

Fulham despite losing their last two in the league sit in a comfortable 13th in the table, impressing once again and after 10 years in the Premier League are now an established top-flight team who can attract good players.

That being said not too many fans would have believed that Pavel Pogrebnyak would have made such a good impression in his first 5 games that he has and it’s fair to say the Russian has been an inspired signing by Jol.

Pogrebnyak has five goals to his name since signing from Stuttgart and it’s fair to say that if Fulham are to leave Old Trafford without their customary usual defeat, then the gangly forward is going to have to play a major part tonight.

So what can we expect from tomorrow’s game. What will be the key battles on the pitch?

Jonny Evans v Pavel Pogberynak

Despite United’s attacking-players taking much of the credit in the 5-0 rout of Wolves last weekend, praise also has to go to Evans who seems to be finally maturing out of the dark cloud that has hung over his head the last 2 seasons.

The Northern Irishman had a fine game and aside from getting on the scrore-sheet impressed with his reading of the game. Pogrebnyak will be a tough cookie for Evans to deal with as he is as good on the ball as he is in the air

Antonio Valencia v John Arne Riise

The return of Valencia at Molineux was a welcome surprise. What wasn’t however was his performance, as he tore into Wolves at every opportunity scoring one and having a hand in two, setting up Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez to score.

The Ecuador winger’s form this season has been outstanding and despite Riise having fond memories of playing against United for Liverpool, the Norwegian is past his best and should not be able to contain the league’s best right winger.

Wayne Rooney v Brede Hangeland

Down the years not too many strikers have dominated Fulham’s giant Norwegian defender Hangeland who after being brought to England by Roy Hodgson, has evolved into a thoroughbred of a defender who has a big future ahead of him.

Whether he is playing well or not Rooney right now will trouble the best of defenders. Whilst his range of passing is inconsistent, his finishing remains ruthless and he still remains United’s biggest threat up top in terms of goals and creativity.

In terms of a prediction for the game, as stated earlier on in a on in a predictions article, I can see United winning  2-0, with Danny Welbeck getting on the score-sheet and Rooney getting his customary strike too which will keep him happy.

Anything but a win would be a dreadful result and would certainly let Roberto Mancini and City off the hook after their draw at the weekend against Stoke. Every point needs to be taken from now until the season’s end, so a win tonight is a must.

By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87

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