Manchester United and Aston Villa will face off at Old Trafford on Sunday in a match that could have huge implications for the race for Champions League qualification in the Premier League.
Michael Carrick tasted defeat for the first time since taking charge on an interim basis when his side went down 2-1 at Newcastle last midweek.
That setback was not too damaging for the Red Devils’ league position, as they remain third in the standings, though their cushion is slim with just three points separating them from sixth-placed Liverpool.
Now preparing to host fourth-placed Aston Villa, United will be eager to tighten their grip on the top four – and potentially strengthen their hold on their current position.
Talk of Unai Emery and his side as title contenders now feels like a distant memory, with Villa having won just two of their last nine Premier League matches, most recently suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat at home to Chelsea.
However, Aston Villa will arrive at Old Trafford in a slightly better mood after battling to a 1-0 win away at Lille in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
How the bookies view it: Red Devils to reign supreme
Manchester United, who have won all four of their Premier League home matches under Michael Carrick, enter their latest Old Trafford assignment as 8/11 favourites on bet365.
Two of Aston Villa’s last four Premier League away matches have ended all square, and another stalemate here pays 3/1 on bet365, while Villa are 7/2 with the same firm to claim victory.
Head to head: Red Devils rule the roost
Manchester United and Aston Villa have met 201 times in all competitions, with United winning 107, Villa triumphing on 52 occasions, and 42 matches ending level.
Aston Villa ran out 2-1 winners in this season's reverse fixture, and the same scoreline on Sunday pays a whopping 16/1 on bet365.
Players to watch: Sesko to strike?
With six goals across his last eight Premier League appearances, Benjamin Sesko looks good value to score or assist on Sunday afternoon at 5/6 with bet365.
Matty Cash is facing a race against time to be fit for this clash, but if he is deemed fit enough to feature, the tough-tackling Aston Villa right-back could be worth siding with to commit two or more fouls at 6/4 on bet365.
Predicted line-ups
Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa is likely to come too soon for Lisandro Martinez, who is currently in the Manchester United medical room alongside Mason Mount, Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu.
As alluded to earlier, Matty Cash is a doubt, while Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans will definitely miss out for Aston Villa.
Manchester United: Lammens; Mazraoui, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Luiz, Onana, Sancho, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Anything else catch the eye?
Given what’s at stake in the race for Champions League qualification, over 3.5 cards looks worth siding with at 8/11 on bet365.
There have been at least four cards handed out in seven of Manchester United’s last eight Premier League matches.
The case becomes even stronger when you consider that each of Aston Villa’s last three top-flight fixtures has featured four or more bookings.
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