Bournemouth vs Manchester United: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Manchester United make the trip down south to take on Bournemouth as they search for a big three points to strengthen their European hopes.

Date: 13/04/24

Kick-off time: 17:30

Venue: Vitality Stadium

A draw at home to Liverpool last weekend has almost certainly ended any hopes they had of securing Champions League football for next season, and it has left them in a precarious position with a host of teams behind them chasing. They are currently sixth, but a three-game winless streak has allowed the gap between them and 11th place Wolves to be cut to just seven points. Maximum points should be seen as a must if they want to remain in full control of their place in the table. Defeat could see them drop to as low as eighth should results not go their way.

The hosts are 12th, but are still well within the reach of the top half, and potentially a European finish. With 42 points, they are only seven points behind sixth place West Ham, and three points against Man United would mean they would trail their opponents by just five. A loss would perhaps give them too much of a mountain to climb with six games to go afterwards.

Goals could be a feature in this game, with both sides keeping one clean sheet in their last five. United have plenty of attacking threat to call upon, with four different players topping the scoring charts with seven goals. The Cherries will look to the talent of Dominic Solanke, whose tally of 16 goals is only bettered than three players in the entire league.

Since 2017, there have been 10 meetings between these two sides. Unsurprisingly, Man United have been the dominant team, winning seven, drawing one and losing two. However, Bournemouth have given their opponents trouble recently, with them winning 3-0 at Old Trafford earlier this season in the reverse fixture. Dominic Solanke gave the visitors a fifth minute lead and this was a slim advantage they held until the 68th minute, which was when Philip Billing made it two. They game was put to bed five minutes later, as Marco Senesi added a third to complete the famous rout.

Bournemouth

Chris Mepham could return from an illness. Bournemouth have no fresh injury concerns otherwise.

Man United

Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof will be out until May, whilst Anthony Martial could return sometime his month. Raphael Varane and Johnny Evans missed the last game through injury, which leaves United short at centre back.

Bournemouth

In their last five games, Bournemouth have won three, drawn one and lost one. It has been a good stretch for Bournemouth, though the Cherries are reeling from defeat in their latest game. They faced Luton at Kenilworth Road and fell to a 2-1 loss late on. The visitors took the lead shortly after the restart through Marcus Tavernier, but the Hatters equalised with less than 20 minutes to go with a strike from Jordan Clark. The game seemed to be headed for a draw, but Carlton Morris scored at the death to send the Bournemouth fans home unhappy.

This followed a narrow 1-0 victory at home to Crystal Palace. There was not much to split the two sides at all in possession, though the hosts just edged it and attempted more shots. A Justin Kluivert goal in the 79th minute proved to be the difference. This continued the momentum they gained from a 2-1 win against Everton. This time it was late jubilation for the fans, as Seamus Coleman inadvertently converted the ball into his own net in second half stoppage time after Beto thought he had salvaged a point for the Toffees following Dominic Solanke’s opener.

Luton were on the wrong end of a result in mid-March as they blew a 3-0 half-time lead to lose 4-3. Bournemouth found themselves 3-0 down at half-time thanks to goals from Tahith Chong, Chiedozie Ogbene and Ross Barkley. Solanke gave the Cherries an immediate response after the break, before Illia Zabarnyi pulled back another. The comeback was almost complete as Antoine Semenyo bagged the equaliser. The historic turnaround concluded as Semenyo grabbed his brace with six minutes to go. The first game of this run was a 2-2 draw with bottom side Sheffield United. They were lucky to come away with anything however, as the Blades took a 2-0 lead. Dango Ouattara and Enas Unal ensured the points were shared.

Man United

In their last five games, Man United have won two, drawn one and lost one. The first game of this run was a 2-0 win over Everton. The Toffees enjoyed the better chances but could not find a breakthrough, and the hosts took advantage of their opponents’ lack of potency by converting two penalties to take all three points.

Focus shifted to FA Cup action, in which they took on rivals Liverpool in the quarter-finals. The hosts opened the scoring early on through Scott McTominay, but the tie was turned on its head before the break as Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah scored twice in three minutes to go in ahead. As time was running out, Liverpool looked set to advance, but Antony scored an equaliser in the 87th minute to send the tie to extra-time. The away side retook the lead once more, this time through Harvey Elliott. But United refused to lie down as Marcus Rashford levelled it with eight minutes to go. The game seemed destined for penalties, but youngster Amad Diallo sent Old Trafford wild with a last minute winner to send his side through.

Brentford were their hosts in the next game, and they were lucky to leave with a point as the Bees were on top and had 31 shot attempts. Mason Mount scored in the 96th minute, but the Bees responded immediately as Kristoffer Ajer struck to snatch a late point. They were then on the wrong end of a 4-3 result when they played Chelsea, in what was a remarkable game at Stamford Bridge. The Blues took an early 2-0 lead, but the deficit was cut in half after Alejandro Garnacho pounced on an error. The game was tied when Bruno Fernandes headed home at the back post, before Garnacho scored his second from a sublime Antony cross. With the game deep into stoppage time, Noni Madueke was brought down by Diogo Dalot in the box which allowed Cole Palmer to level it from the spot in the 100th minute. The game was not over and Chelsea took a quick corner to an unmarked Palmer who smashed it goalwards. It deflected off McTominay past Andre Onana to condemn United to the latest defeat in Premier League history.

Their latest game was at home to Liverpool in the league, and they drew 2-2, despite producing no shots on goal in the first half. Luis Diaz put the Reds ahead, but Fernandes capitalised on an error to score from long range. Kobbie Mainoo produced a sublime finish to put United in front, but a Salah penalty in the final minutes ensured the points were shared.

Man United are inconsistent, especially away from home. Bournemouth may be able to give them troubles defensively, but will also have a tough task of keeping the away side out. We expect both teams to score but United to edge victory – Bournemouth 1-2 Man United

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Bournemouth vs Man United will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

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