Manchester Utd vs Bournemouth prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2024-12-21 14:00.
[p]Another crazy week at Manchester United was perfectly epitomised by a breathless 4-3 Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham on Thursday, which at least gives Ruben Amorim a clean slate on which to focus his side’s Premier League efforts. Despite their stirring 2-1 comeback win over Manchester City last week, the Red Devils enter the round in the bottom half of the table, a position they’ve not occupied at Christmas since 1989/90![/p]
[p]Due to the congested nature of the Premier League table, United trail upcoming opponents Bournemouth – who begin the weekend in the top-six – by just three points. Victory is therefore paramount at Old Trafford where United could lose back-to-back home games for the first time since December 2023, with that run coincidentally including a 3-0 thumping against the Cherries in last season’s corresponding fixture.[/p]
[p]That remains arguably one of Bournemouth’s most impressive Premier League results, and one they backed up by avoiding defeat in the reverse fixture as well (D 2-2). Their remarkable start to the season could have been even better if not for a 1-1 draw against West Ham last time out, as victory would’ve seen Andoni Iraola’s men move to within a point of the top-four![/p]
[p]Returning to winning ways on the road is something they’re bound to be confident of having won their last two away league matches. Their last longer such run came in December 2023 and included the aforementioned victory at Old Trafford in the third game in that sequence, but repeating the act could be tricky if history is anything to go by, as Bournemouth have lost five of their six prior Premier League visits there. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: After an impressive cameo off the bench, Kobbie Mainoo could be primed to start in midfield for United. If he’s on target, then serious entertainment could be in store, as all five of his senior scoring appearances came in games with 3+ total goals. Another player pushing for a start is Enes Ünal, who has come off the bench to score and rescue points for his side in back-to-back matches.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Ahead of the weekend, no side in the Premier League has scored more goals via substitutes than Bournemouth (eight).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]