Backing Mark Hughes’ men away from home will not have made you rich this season. Despite the media now referring to Manchester City as ‘the Premier League’s richest club’, the team have managed just one win on the road all campaign, and it’s hard to see this statistic changing on Saturday.
That’s because they will be up against a team with better home form than Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa. Fulham are 17/10 (bet365) to land their sixth win at Craven Cottage, having already beaten the Gunners and Spurs in front of their own fans. Roy Hodgson’s men have also recently landed goalless draws at Liverpool and Villa Park, which must also make them a value proposition at 17/20 (Centrebet) on the ‘Draw No Bet’ market.
Many think that City are in a false position at the moment, although the truth is that they’re defensively shabby away from home. Backing them at 9/5 (Stan James) means you expect them to buck their trend of conceding another two goals on the road, something that has happened on their last five away outings. That is, unless you fancy the 33/1 (Sportingbet) about the Citizens winning the match 3-2!
The Cottagers are 12/1 (Paddy Power) to win the game 2-0 and 9/1 (Blue Square) to triumph by a 2-1 scoreline. They have managed the latter in their last two home matches, against Newcastle and Tottenham respectively. Andy Johnson’s pace is likely to give the City defence a testing afternoon and he’s 13/2 (Boylesports) to open the scoring, with strike partner Bobby Zamora a 15/2 chance (totesport). The visitors seem reliant on Robinho (15/2 bet365) and Stephen Ireland (11/1 Betfred) creating something in front of goal, with the pair scoring eleven of City’s last thirteen league goals.
Nevertheless, it’s hard to escape the conclusion that it’s Fulham who are an outstanding bet to continue their excellent home form, with the 4/1 (bet direct) about them leading at half-time and full-time worth a dabble.