Fulham v West Brom: Cottagers glad to be home after three away defeats

West Brom have enjoyed a surprising start to the season, picking up seven unexpected points against Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton.

Fulham’s solidity at home, however, means it’s unlikely they’ll chalk up an away win here, as a price of 11/4, correctly, signifies.

The Cottagers got off to a flyer in front of their own fans, smashing five past Norwich, but have lost three on the road since in league and cup action and will be keen to get back to west London for this game.

They only lost four games in all competitions at Craven Cottage in a typically steady 2011/12 season, only one of them to a side they would normally expect to beat.

You can back a home win at 1/1 which, given the contrasting fortunes for both sides in recent weeks, is a touch on the short side and should be avoided, despite Fulham’s aforementioned reliability at home.

However, a bet offering excellent value, based on the evidence of last season, is 1/1 for there to be over 2.5 goals scored.
Of the 19 games Fulham hosted last term, 13 of them surpassed this mark, which was also the case in 11 of the Baggies’ 19 away days.

With Fulham lamping in five on the opening day and Steve Clarke’s men hitting five in two away days at Spurs and Yeovil, there looks set to be a few crossing the line when these two lock horns.

In terms of who’ll score them, Dimitar Berbatov is in line for his first Cottagers start and is priced up at 9/2 to win over the fans early doors with the game’s opener, though 6/1 for Mladen Petric to beat him to it could be a more profitable option after his brace on debut in his last home appearance.

All odds and markets correct as of publication