Prediction: Draw and Both Teams to Score
Odds: 10/3
Bookmaker: Bet365
Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side will be looking to continue their excellent start to the season as they host Manchester United on Saturday.
The Cherries have been in brilliant form so far this season and sit only two points outside of the top four. Elsewhere, their opponents, Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, will be looking to move further up the table as they currently sit eighth.
Bournemouth
Eddie Howe’s men come into this clash having had an excellent week in both the Premier League and the Carabao Cup. Now sitting sixth, the Cherries eased past newly-promoted Fulham 3-0 last weekend. Elsewhere, they also secured their progression to the quarter-finals of the League Cup with a 2-1 victory over Championship outfit Norwich City. They have not lost a game of any sort since a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Burnley at the end of September.
Another aspect that will give the hosts huge confidence are their performances in front of their own fans. After five matches at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth are undefeated having won three and drawn two. Only Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea are the other remaining teams with undefeated home records. As a matter of fact, the Cherries boast an extremely impressive offensive record on home soil. Having netted ten goals at home, it means that only three Premier League teams have scored more goals at home than Bournemouth, and once again, they are Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Team News
Defender Simon Francis will be subjected to a late fitness test ahead of the game after he was withdrawn through injury against Norwich in midweek. Former United forward Josh King will not be able to play after sustaining an ankle injury.
Manchester United
Jose Mourinho will have been disappointed in the past few weeks due to Manchester United’s inconsistency. The team dropped two points against Chelsea two weeks ago. The Red Devils had turned the game around Chelsea, only for Ross Barkley to net a late equaliser to ensure that the points were shared. They followed that up with a 1-0 defeat against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League before earning a tight 2-1 victory over Everton in league action last time out.
That inconsistency has cost United this season and they consequently languish in eighth position in the Premier League. Having said that, they do have the opportunity to make it consecutive victories in the Premier League. Should they achieve that against Bournemouth, it would only be the second time that they have done that this season. One aspect that they will have to improve on though is their defensive record away from home. Only Burnley, Fulham, Cardiff City and Newcastle United have shipped more than the Red Devils’ eight goals away from home so far this season.
Team News
Manchester United’s injury list has diminished somewhat in recent days. Scott McTominay could potentially return to action after recovering from a knee injury. However, Antonio Valencia, Marouane Fellaini and Diego Dalot all remain restricted to the sidelines.
Key Facts To Consider
- Manchester United boast the far better record between the two sides (W9, D3, L2)
- Bournemouth have not beaten Manchester United since a 2-1 win in December 2015
- The Cherries have only scored 11 goals in 14 meetings with the Red Devils
- Romelu Lukaku has scored eight goals in his last seven games against Bournemouth
- The Cherries have not scored against Manchester United in their last two games
Conclusion
Despite what history suggests, this game is more difficult to predict than most would say. The Cherries are in a confident mood and could exploit Manchester United’s inconsistency and poor defensive record to earn a result. However, the shoots of recovery are just beginning to show for the Red Devils and they certainly do have quality enough in their squad to beat any opponent on their day. Both sides should find the net in an entertaining draw on the South Coast.
Prediction: Draw and Both Teams to Score
Odds: 10/3
Bookmaker: Bet365
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