Back this 13/1 Fulham vs Aston Villa bet-builder on Saturday

Can Fulham return to winning ways this weekend, or will Aston Villa continue their impressive league form?

Odds Now's Brad Walker runs you through his 13/1 bet-builder ahead of kick-off at Craven Cottage.

Wake up, the nightmarish period often referred to as the 'international break' is almost over.

Real football is back on our television screens this weekend, including an intriguing match-up at Craven Cottage between Fulham and Aston Villa.

Well, sort of anyway. This one is set for 3pm on Saturday afternoon so won't be broadcast live in the TV, but the point still stands.

The Cottagers surprisingly head into this one firm favourites at 7/5 - a surprise given the form of Unai Emery's side over the last 18 months or so. 

Brad Walker's Fulham vs Aston Villa bet-builder selections

Selection #1 - Aston Villa to win (15/8)

I mentioned my surprise at Fulham's status as favourites but, to be fair to Marco Silva's side, they put in a pretty good showing at the home of champions Manchester City prior to the break. 

Sure, the West Londoners ended up on the wrong end of a 3-2 defeat, but anyone who has taken a glance at the highlights package will know they had their fair share of chances in the North-West. 

Erratic winger Adama Traore could have had three himself but, in typical Traore fashion, left with nothing to show for it when the 90 minutes were up. 

The same can be said of Fulham in this fixture last season, when they suffered a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa at this weekend's venue. 

Villa's recent form also suggests they could record consecutive away victories against their West London counterparts for the first time in their history this weekend.

They've won five of their last six against Fulham home and away, including their last three on the trot.

Emery's side are also unbeaten in their last five Premier League outings, leaving them in good stead to hand Fulham their first home defeat of the season.

Villa picked up a 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage last season. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Selection #2 - Both teams to score (11/20)

Villa's added quality in the final third - buoyed by in-form attackers Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Jhon Duran - should see them ultimately come out on top. 

However, their record at the back hasn't exactly convinced so far. 

Their 0-0 draw at home to Manchester United last time out was their first time registering a clean sheet in 12 league outings. 

Fulham have also scored in all of their matches since a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford on the opening weekend. 

As noted above, expect Villa to secure the three points, but not before being asked questions themselves at the other end of the pitch.

Selection #3 - Andreas Pereira to score or assist (43/20)

Let's face it, we all love putting up a player prop, even if it does end with irate ramblings when the player in question is inevitably substituted with 20 minutes to go just as it looked as though the bet-builder was going to come in. 

Please, Mr Silva, leave Andreas Pereira on the pitch for as long as possible this weekend. Cheers, Marco. 

Anyway, back to me justifying why the former Manchester United midfielder should be backed to score or assist this weekend. 

Well, first, note Villa's defensive struggles discussed above. 

And then combine those with the growing influence the Brazilian has been having on this Fulham side this season. 

Back Pereira to have a big impact again in this one. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

No Premier League player has created more chances from set-pieces (16) than Pereira so far. 

He has also put the most crosses into the box (64) and plays alongside an in-form striker in Raul Jimenez who has not only scored in three of his last four league outings, but who also remains a potent threat in the air. 

Add the fact the 28-year-old got himself on the scoresheet in the 3-2 loss to City a few weeks ago, backing him to build on this form against a suspect Villa defence could prove a very astute pick indeed.