Manchester United will look to take another stride in securing their return to the Champions League on Friday night as they face a tricky trip to the Vitality to take on Bournemouth.
Manchester United bounced back from their 2-1 defeat at St James’ Park to 10-man Newcastle United as they defeated Aston Villa 3-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Michael Carrick has now won seven of his opening nine Premier League games in his second stint in interim charge of the Red Devils (W7-D1-L1), moving them up into third position in the table, six points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea.
Andoni Iraola was left frustrated once again last weekend as his side were held to a goalless draw at Turf Moor against relegation-threatened Burnley.
That’s now four consecutive draws in the Premier League for the Cherries, but it does extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to 10 matches (W4-D6-L0), leaving them in 10th position, four points behind seventh-placed Brentford.
How the bookies view it: United favourites
Manchester United are favourites to make it eight wins from their last 10 Premier League matches on Friday night, with bet365 pricing an away success at 11/10.
Bournemouth are 11/5 to claim all three points, whilst a fifth consecutive draw in the Premier League for the Cherries is priced at 14/5.
Head to head: Five unbeaten for the Cherries
Bournemouth are unbeaten in each of their previous five Premier League meetings with Manchester United (W2-D3-L0), including that extraordinary 4-4 draw in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in December.
However, the Red Devils have lost on just one of their previous seven Premier League visits to the Vitality (W4-D2-L1), drawing each of the last two.
Players to watch: Bruno to assist again?
Bruno Fernandes continued to show why he is Manchester United’s talisman last weekend, as he set up their opening two goals in their 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.
The Portuguese international has been involved in a massive 45% of the Red Devils’ Premier League goals this season, scoring seven goals and providing an impressive 16 assists – including a goal contribution in seven of his nine appearances under Michael Carrick – and the United skipper is an appealing 17/20 at William Hill to Score or Assist on Friday.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Bournemouth will be missing the injured Julio Soler, Lewis Cook and Justin Kluivert, whilst Tyler Adams is a doubt.
Manchester United will be without the injured Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Patrick Dorgu and Mason Mount.
AFC Bournemouth: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Christie, Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier, Evanilson
Manchester United: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo
Anything else catch the eye?
Carrick has made an impressive start to his second stint in interim charge of Manchester United, winning seven of his opening nine Premier League matches in charge.
However, the Red Devils have dropped points in two of their previous three matches on the road – drawing three of their last six (W2-D3-L1) – and travel to a Bournemouth side in the midst of a 10-game unbeaten run, drawing six of them, including each of the last four.
What’s more, the reverse fixture at Old Trafford finished in a stalemate – as well as the previous two meetings at the Vitality – and I’m happy to have a punt on these two clubs sharing the spoils once again on Friday night.
GambleAware