Manchester United vs. Fulham prediction, odds, start time: 2024 Premier League picks by proven soccer expert

Manchester United open at home for the eighth consecutive year and 10th time in 11 campaigns when they take on Fulham on Friday in the first match of the 2024-25 English Premier League season. The Red Devils have won five of their last seven openers at Old Trafford and are 6-0-3 in season openers at home since 2015-16 after defeating Wolves 1-0 in August 2023. Fulham began and ended 2023-24 with victories but posted only 11 wins in between. One of those was a 2-1 triumph at Old Trafford this past February, earning the Cottagers a split of the two-game season series.

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET. The Red Devils are -165 favorites (risk $165 to win $100) in the latest Manchester United vs. Fulham odds, while the Cottagers are +400 underdogs. A 90-minute draw is priced at +320 and the over/under for total goals scored is 3.5. Before locking in any Fulham vs. Manchester United picks, you need to see what proven SportsLine soccer insider Martin Green has to say.

After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Last year, Green was profitable in multiple areas on his soccer picks, including the Champions League (+3.05 units), FA Cup (+3.07), EFL Cup (+4.47) and Euro 2024 qualifiers (+6.30), among others. He also was solid with his Premier League picks this year, going 30-22-1 (+7.07).

Now, Green has broken down Manchester United vs. Fulham from every angle and has locked in his picks and Premier League predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see Green's picks. Here are the betting lines and trends for Fulham vs. Manchester United:

• Manchester United vs. Fulham money line: Manchester United -165, Fulham +400, Draw +320
• Manchester United vs. Fulham over/under: 3.5 goals
• Manchester United vs. Fulham spread: Manchester United -0.5 (-160)
• MU: The Red Devils went 10-3-6 at home last season
• FUL: February's triumph ended the Cottagers' 18-game winless streak against Man United across all competitions (0-3-15)
• Manchester United vs. Fulham picks: See picks here

Why you should back Manchester United 

Bruno Fernandes shared the team lead in goals last season with 10, marking the third time in four seasons he reached double figures. One of the 29-year-old Portuguese midfielder's tallies came against Fulham on Nov. 4, 2023, when he converted in the 91st minute to give the Red Devils a 1-0 victory. Fernandes also scored the decisive goal when Manchester United ended the 2022-23 campaign with a 2-1 home triumph over the Cottagers.

With striker Rasmus Hojlund -- who also tallied 10 times last season -- sidelined for approximately six weeks with a hamstring injury, the Red Devils are hoping one of their newest acquisitions will pay immediate dividends. The club signed Joshua Zirkzee to a five-year contract in July after the 23-year-old Dutch forward had a strong season for Bologna of Italy's Serie A last campaign. Zirkzee, who netted a career-high 15 tallies for Belgian club Anderlecht in 2021-22, was Bologna's leading scorer in 2023-24 as he converted 11 times and notched five assists in 34 matches. See which team to pick here.

Why you should back Fulham

The Cottagers have lost 24 of their 34 Premier League meetings with Man United and 56 of their 91 matchups across all competitions. But one of Fulham's four EPL wins in the series came in February when they edged the Red Devils 2-1 at Old Trafford. Defender Calvin Bassey and Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi converted for the Cottagers, with the latter scoring the deciding goal in the 97th minute. Bassey's goal was his only one in 2023-24, while Iwobi finished the season with a career-high five goals. 

Fulham was led offensively last campaign by forward Rodrigo Muniz, who recorded a personal best with nine goals. The Cottagers are hoping for a strong contribution from Emile Smith Rowe, as the 24-year-old midfielder signed a five-year contract earlier this month. Smith Rowe appeared in only 25 matches for Arsenal over the last two seasons but was second on the club in goals in 2021-22, finishing one behind leader Bukayo Saka (11). See which team to pick here.

How to make Manchester United vs. Fulham picks

Green has broken down Fulham vs. Manchester United from every possible angle and is leaning Over on the goal total. He also has locked in a pair of confident best bets and is offering a full breakdown of this match. He's sharing his English Premier League picks and analysis only at SportsLine.

So who wins Manchester United vs. Fulham on Friday, and where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see which wagers in Fulham vs. Manchester United have all the value, all from the proven soccer expert who has been profitable across multiple leagues, and find out.

How to get in-depth soccer coverage daily

The CBS Sports Golazo Network has you covered with soccer news, highlights, analysis, and exclusive games. The 24-hour digital network provides around-the-clock soccer viewing to fans across the country, including morning shows and live matches. It launched in April and has been a smashing success thus far, expanding its offerings every week. Watch the CBS Sports Golazo Network now here.

The CBS Sports Golazo Network provides soccer fans with wall-to-wall coverage of the most popular game in the world. Check it out now on CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports app for connected TV devices, the CBS Sports mobile app, Pluto TV or Paramount+.