Aston Villa v Fulham

Two teams who have rapidly improved over recent weeks could well cancel each other out when they clash in the Midlands tomorrow. Aston Villa will be keen to get back to winning ways quickly after the understandable midweek setback at Old Trafford. Before that they won three games on the bounce having been lifted by the arrival of £18m hotshot Darren Bent.

Fulham’s ascent up the table has been remarkably similar to Villa’s. They currently sit 12th in the table, one point above their hosts after four league victories in the last seven games. Furthermore, the 4-0 hammering of Spurs in the Cup last weekend will have provided the greatest confidence boost of all.  Yet the bookies don’t fancy Mark Hughes’s troops to claim another three points with an away best priced at 10/3 with Stan James. This may have much to do with the realisation that all Fulham’s wins this year have come at Craven Cottage.

Inevitably, the market is more inclined towards a home win with Villa offered at no better than evens with Betfred. But this has all the makings of a draw with two form teams who won’t despair of a stalemate that would keep decent runs ticking along. A share of the spoils is priced at 5/2 with Victor Chandler.  A 1-1 scoreline could specifically be worth a punt at 6/1 with Boyleports.