5 bold Premier League predictions: Bournemouth beat Liverpool

WATFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Joshua King of Bournemouth is congratulated by team-mates Simon Francis, David Brooks and Callum Wilson after he makes it 3-0 during the Premier League match between Watford FC and AFC Bournemouth at Vicarage Road on October 6, 2018 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images) /

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Fulham’s new Italian manager Claudio Ranieri poses with a team scarf on the pitch at the club’s Craven Cottage stadium on November 16, 2018. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) /

3. Fulham get off the bottom of the table with draw at Old Trafford

The bottom of the Premier League table is incredibly close. Fulham, Burnley and Southampton are all level on nine points and all of these teams have really struggled to find any real run of form in the league.

Fulham have had a slight upturn in their fortunes since Claudio Ranieri took over at the London club. The Cottagers beat Southampton in his first match in charge, gave a spirited display against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and almost took all three points away at Leicester in midweek.

This weekend, Ranieri faces his most difficult match since taking over at Fulham with his team traveling to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. However, now could be the best time to face Jose Mourinho’s side as they’ve struggled to find consistency themselves.

The Red Devils understanding of consistency in the league is much different from what Fulham fans might expect but that doesn’t mean the London club can’t go and get a point in Manchester. United only have one clean sheet to their name this season and there’s no guarantee they’ll make that two on Saturday.

Even when Ranieri’s predecessor, Slavisa Jokanovic, was in charge of Fulham, the team held an attacking threat but it was the defensive side of their game that let them down. Fulham are by no means perfect at the back now but Ranieri seems to have made them harder to break down.

They’ll go to Old Trafford and look to hit United on the counter-attack. Aleksandr Mitrovic will play a crucial role in this match as he’ll need to hold up play in order to give his teammates time to get forward when they do counter.

If Mitrovic plays well — something he can definitely do against United’s unpredictable defense — then Fulham certainly can take something from this match. Mourinho may struggle for an excuse if his team don’t take something from this weekend, though.

The Cottagers will frustrate United and the crowd in Old Trafford which will lead to this match finishing 1-1 and Mourinho coming under fire once more.

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