Manchester United will be looking to lift the gloom around Old Trafford with a morale-boosting victory when they host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.
It has been a miserable start to the season for the Red Devils, who have won just one of their opening seven league games and begin the weekend languishing in 13th place.
Michael Carrick’s men showed some signs of life last weekend, when drawing 1-1 away at Leeds in a game that landed my Bet Builder, only to come crashing back down to earth with a sobering 4-1 defeat at Como in the Champions League.
As such, the pressure is ramping up on Carrick, who faces another stern test when Bournemouth come to town in what could prove to be a make-or-break clash for his future.
The Cherries secured their first top-flight win of the season at the seventh attempt last weekend, comfortably beating Sunderland 2-0.
Marco Rose’s men kept the feel-good factor flowing on Thursday night by sweeping aside AC Milan 3-0 at home in the Europa League.
How the bookies view it: Red Devils to rebound
Despite coming into this clash in poor form, Manchester United have been priced as 19/20 favourites with bet365.
Bournemouth are as big as 27/10 to make it back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season, while a share of the Old Trafford spoils is available at 11/4.
Head to head: Another Old Trafford shootout?
Manchester United hold the edge in the head-to-head record, winning 14 of their 26 meetings with Bournemouth. The Cherries have won five, while seven have ended level.
Last season’s meeting at Old Trafford was a barnstorming 4-4 draw, and a repeat of that scoreline is a whopping 150/1 with bet365.
Players to watch: Hone in on Harry
Harry Maguire has been fouled six times across his last three Premier League appearances for Manchester United, making him excellent value at 11/10 with bet365 to win at least one free kick on Sunday. The veteran United defender is likely to get drawn into a physical battle with Bournemouth’s Evanilson.
Another player who catches the eye in the fouls market is Tyler Adams, who is 5/6 to be penalised at least twice. The tough-tackling Bournemouth midfielder committed three fouls at Newcastle and five at Chelsea on the Cherries’ last two top-flight road trips.
Predicted line-ups
Manchester United are expected to be without Benjamin Sesko, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Manuel Ugarte and Patrick Dorgu against Bournemouth, while Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford are doubts after missing the midweek defeat to Como.
Bournemouth will again be without Alex Scott and Julian Araujo, who remain sidelined with long-term injuries.
Manchester United: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui; Baleba, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Amad; Zirkzee
Bournemouth: Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Silva, Truffert; Adams, Cook; Rayan, Christie, Tavernier; Evanilson.
Anything else catch the eye?
Bournemouth are statistically the Premier League’s most ill-disciplined side this season, so the card markets are worth considering at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The bet365 Bet Builder has both teams to receive a card and over three match cards at 5/6, a combination that has landed in four of Bournemouth’s last six Premier League fixtures and four of Manchester United’s last six top-flight games.
Referee Jarred Gillett is averaging 4.60 yellow cards per game in the Premier League this season, which adds further weight to this selection.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth Betting Tips & Predictions
Further Reading
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