FULHAM v CRYSTAL PALACE
Saturday 11th August 2018 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Football – England – Premier League Betting Tips
My next preview features an all-London clash between newly promoted Fulham, taking on Crystal Palace with more betting tips in the Premier League at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.
Fulham did their best to spoil their chances of promotion from the Championship at the start of last season as The Cottagers had gained just three league wins from their first 11 matches of the term, and it looked like another season of narrowly missing the boat again for the London club.
However, over the Christmas period and thereafter, Fulham really clicked into gear under manager, Slavisa Jokanovic, as his side went on a winning rampage as well as putting together a 19-match unbeaten run from mid-January through to the end of April which secured a place in the play-offs.
However, automatic promotion went out the window following back-to-back defeats to Birmingham City and Derby County, but they negotiated the play-offs by beating Derby County, and then followed that up with a 1-0 Play-Off final win over Aston Villa at Wembley to return to the top flight.
Fulham have made several new signings during the off-season most notably keeper Fabri (from Besiktas), Seri (Nice) and defender Mawson (Swansea City) along with loan signings, Schurrle (Borussia Dortmund) and Chambers (Arsenal). Last season’s loanee from Newcastle United, Mitrovic, also signed on a permanent deal and much is expected from him again this time in the top flight.
Crystal Palace avoided the drop last season with ease by the end of the season as they finished in 11th place and a massive 11 points ahead of third from bottom Swansea City, after being written off after the first quarter of matches had been played.
A disastrous start to their campaign under former manager, Frank de Boer threatened Crystal Palace’s safety in the top flight as The Eagles lost their first seven matches on the trot, but Roy Hodgson took over the reigns at Selhurst Park and slowly but surely, Palace clawed their way out of trouble.
A 2-1 home win over Chelsea signalled the start of Palace’s revival and they won 11 matches during the campaign which kept them well away from any relegation dramas in the end. However, the visitors ended with a disappointing away record of 4-6-9 16/28 but they did finish the season with a four-match unbeaten run on the road which included wins at Huddersfield Town and Stoke City.
The Eagles have added West Ham midfielder, Kouyate to their squad and along with Milivojevic, Benteke and star player, Wilfred Zaha, they should again avoid any relegation worries this season too.
Fulham look a very different prospect this time in their return to the Premier League, while Crystal Palace made themselves hard to beat under Hodgson – my betting tips suggest a stalemate here.
Pick: Draw @ 3.40 Bet Victor
