Fulham v Aston Villa predictions

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Fulham v Aston Villa predictions Premier League England, England	20/10/2012 16:00	full time result	Fulham win	1.83	Bet at William Hill
Betting prediction was written by Matt

Fulham v Aston Villa predictions and preview: Betting stats

Fulham currently sit 9^th in the Premier League with 10 points at a record of W3 D1 L3. Their recent form is LWWLD and their home record looks good with two big wins (5-0 vs Norwich, 3-0 vs West Brom) and a narrow 2-1 defeat against Man City. They have scored 15 goals this season, one of the highest in the league; and conceded 11. Their games have averaged 3.71 goals and every one of their 7 games so far have seen over 2.5 goals.

Aston Villa lie in a disappointing 16^th place with just 5 points from their first 7 games. Their record is W1 D2 L4 and their recent form is DWLDL. Away from home they have only gained one point from their four games with defeats against West Ham, Southampton and Spurs. They have only netted 6 times, conceding 12 goals so far. Games have averaged 2.57 goals with only 2 exceeding 2.5 goals, 5 with less.

The head-to-head between these sides at Craven Cottage see Fulham notch up 9 wins with 3 for Villa and 9 draws which is quite a high percentage for the draw. You do have to go back to the final weeks of the 08/09 season to find a Fulham home win in this fixture however (2 draws and a Villa win in the meantime).

Team News and Run of Play

Fulham could be without their two main strikers for this game who between them have scored 5 of the Cottagers’ 15 goals this season. Hugo Rodallega will likely lead the line if both Petric and Berbatov are missing. Damien Duff has had a very good start to the season and will look to continue his goalscoring. Diarra and Davies remain long-term absentees. Aston Villa have no new injury concerns and may have Stephen Ireland back in their squad. They have a couple of long-term injuries including Richard Dunne and Gary Gardner and of course the recovering Stilian Petrov.

Fulham have impressed me this season and I think they probably deserved to hold on for their point in their last home game against Man City. Before that they were an aggregate of 8-0 for their first two home games and it’s safe to say they need to pick up the points at home as their reputation precedes them when it comes to poor away performances. Their last game against Southampton showed they have the will to come from behind albeit eventually succumbing to a last minute equaliser to draw 2-2.

Aston Villa will know by now that they haven’t performed this season. If they continue in this vain they could be in for a bit of a relegation dogfight. The end of last season should have made them sit up and take note of their slide in form but it hasn’t seemed to do the trick. They never really threatened Spurs last time out and have only mustered two away goals this season. Neither Bent nor Benteke have hit the net as often as they would like.

I suspect this game will be a slow-paced game, especially if Fulham don’t have their desired frontline from the start. Their familiarity will be with their midfield so keeping the ball there will be a priority. I can’t see Villa threatening them in that area of the pitch so they shouldn’t risk losing the ball by trying to play it too quickly.

Fulham v Aston Villa predictions: 1X2 betting preview

All signs seem to point to the home win here. A side who have been in good home form at home to a side who have struggled away (and home for that matter). I think that despite being odds-on Fulham are a good bet for this match and the question is only whether Villa will score at all.

If you agree with me then take a price of 1.83 with William Hill.

Fulham v Aston Villa predictions: Asian Handicap preview

As the Fulham (-0.5) is on a par with the 1X2 price from William Hill I see no value in betting that on the Asian Handicap. If past results are anything to go by, Fulham should win this game fairly comfortably and therefore the price of 2.08 with BetVictor for Fulham (-0.75) Asian handicap looks good. Then a one goal win at least sees half your stake returned and half as a win. Any bigger margin and you win at odds against.

If you want a bit more value then bet Fulham (-0.75) at 2.08 with BetVictor.

Fulham v Aston Villa predictions: Total Goals preview

Fulham may be without their top strikers, Villa may be without any sort of away scoring form. The signs point towards a low scoring game; especially if Fulham try and control the game from the midfield without penetrating too often.

If you agree, under 2.5 goals in this game is 2.05 with BetVictor.