Fulham will welcome Manchester United to Craven Cottage for a Premier League Round 2 fixture on Sunday, August 24, 2025, with kickoff set for 6:30pm East African Time. The clash represents an important early-season test for both teams as they look to establish rhythm in the 2025/26 campaign.
Match Preview
Fulham begin the weekend sitting in 13th place with one point after securing a draw in their opening game. The Cottagers will be targeting a strong performance to build momentum and potentially climb into the top half of the table. Their recent form provides encouragement, with three wins and a draw from their last five outings across competitions. That run includes pre-season victories over Eintracht Frankfurt, Al Ittihad, and Nottingham Forest, as well as a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Brighton in their league opener.
Manchester United, in contrast, find themselves in 18th position after a narrow defeat to Arsenal on the opening weekend. Still searching for their first points of the season, the Red Devils need a quick response to avoid early pressure. Their pre-season campaign delivered mixed results, with draws against Fiorentina and Everton, alongside wins over Bournemouth and West Ham.
Key Stats and Tactical Insights
Recent meetings between these sides have been tightly contested. Ten of the last eleven encounters produced fewer than four goals, highlighting the defensive battles that often define this fixture. While United have historically dominated at Craven Cottage with eight straight victories, the margins have been slender—no side has won by more than a single goal in their last eight league meetings.
United’s broader away record, however, shows a different story. They have managed only three wins in their last 17 Premier League away fixtures, pointing to vulnerabilities that Fulham can target. Craven Cottage, with its compact atmosphere, could provide the perfect stage for Marco Silva’s side to test United’s resilience on the road.
For Fulham, attacking consistency has been a positive theme. Both teams have scored in three of their last four league games, suggesting another competitive clash could be in store. With United under pressure to respond and Fulham eager to defend home ground, this encounter promises intensity, narrow margins, and potential drama deep into the second half.
