Fulham boss Martin Jol is quite confident that his side can claim a shocking victory against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Despite the Dutchman’s optimism, the Cottagers are huge underdogs, according to the bookmakers, to steal three points from the Red Devils at the Theatre of Dreams.
In fact, the betting odds for Monday night’s English Premier League clash are as follows: Manchester United (1/4) v Fulham (16/1); Draw (21/4).
Furthermore, the Red Devils routed the Cottagers 5-0 at Craven Cottage in the reverse fixture in December and will fancy their chances to do the same at Old Trafford on Monday.
Fulham have won three of their last five league games, but have dropped back-to-back fixtures after winning three straight from February 11 to March 4.
On the other side of the touchline, United have won five straight Premier League games since coming from 3-0 down to draw at Stamford Bridge on February 5.
Nonetheless, Jol still fancies Fulham’s chances of pulling off an improbable win at Old Trafford.
“You need a lot of belief in yourself to win there,” said Jol.
“Look at Crystal Palace in the cup, they did ever so well. My old team Ajax beat them and Blackburn have beaten them so that is the feeling you need.
“You need to feel you’re in with a chance otherwise you may as well stay here in London.”
To be perfectly honest, I think Jol’s done very well in order to give his players hope and confidence ahead of Monday’s fixture.
After all, United did lose to Blackburn Rovers at home so a win is far from guaranteed for the Red Devils.
That being said, Jol knows that his team are up against a far superior side.
“Maybe it is [the biggest challenge in the Premier League] now because they are top of the league, but I can imagine over the last couple of years Chelsea were probably the number one in England.
“Then Man United won the league so it varies, but it is a big game.
“It is one of the biggest games for a club like Fulham, but even when you go to Chelsea or even Arsenal they are probably the same.”
If Fulham are to win at Old Trafford, the Cottagers will surely US international Clint Dempsey on top form.
Dempsey is undoubtedly Fulham’s danger man, and has bagged 18 goals and four assists in 38 games in all competitions for the Cottagers in 2011-12.
Will he score at Old Trafford on Monday night? I wouldn’t bet on it.
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