Manchester United will be hoping to get back to winning ways in the Premier League at Old Trafford as they welcome Bournemouth on Wednesday.
Manchester United lost out on an enticing opportunity to close the gap between them and Manchester City with a defeat in the Manchester derby. The Red Devils will now be hoping to bounce back and maintain the gap, if not lessen it, with a win on Wednesday.
Bournemouth have made a stark improvement in recent weeks, with just a single loss in their last six Premier League fixtures. However, Eddie Howe would like his side to convert the draws into wins. They face a tricky away trip though, to Old Trafford, but perhaps at an opportune moment.
With the midweek fixture coming up, we take a closer look at the two teams.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Paul Pogba is still serving his suspension and will have to sit the game out. Marcos Rojo is a doubt while Marouane Fellaini should make the matchday squad. Eric Bailly and Michael Carrick remain the only sure absentees for the game.
Victor Lindelof’s second-half performance against City might convince Mourinho to start the Swede in central defence, with Chris Smalling his likely partner-in-crime. Up ahead, we could perhaps see a first start of the season for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, especially with Romelu Lukaku in such a rut.
The main problem though, is the midfield, with no real players available in order to offset Pogba’s absence. We should see an attacking United from the get-go on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Herrera, Matic; Rashford, Lingard, Martial, Ibrahimovic
Bournemouth
Eddie Howe has just three injuries to address, with all of them unavailable for quite a while. Adam Federici, Brad Smith and Tyrone Mings have all been sidelined for a considerable period of time and the same continues to be the case for Wednesday.
Eddie Howe loves his side to put pressure on the opposition through counters, with an open outlet available in attack, in general. Jermain Defoe will likely be the outlet in attack, with Josh King playing the role of a number 10 and a second striker at the same time.
Probable Lineup (4-4-1-1): Begovic; A. Smith, Francis, Ake, Daniels; Ibe, Cook, Surman, Pugh; King; Defoe
Betting Odds
Favourable Bets
1. Manchester United Clean Sheet – YES @ 1.80
2. Manchester United Asian Handicap -1.5 @ 1.840
Underdog Bets
1. Marouane Fellaini to get booked @ 4.33
Key Stats
1. Manchester United have won five of their last six matchups against Bournemouth at home in the Premier League.
2. Romelu Lukaku has just 2 goals in his last 10 Premier League games and is without a goal in the last 4 appearances.
3. Manchester United have not lost successive home matches in all competitions since January, 2014.
4. Bournemouth are undefeated in their last 4 trips in the Premier League, with 8 points in the 4 games.
5. Jermain Defoe does not boast a healthy record against United, with just 5 goals in 29 appearances against the Red Devils.
Player to Watch
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Much has been said and done post-Manchester derby. There was even rumoured to be a brawl, which all started because of a comment from one of City’s coaches towards Ibrahimovic. Needless to say, Zlatan is likely to be pumped up for the match in order to show he still is the same menacing forward from last season.
With Romelu Lukaku not in the best of states as far as form is concerned, United will need Zlatan to step up if they are to salvage their title challenge this season. And chances are, he could start stepping up on Wednesday.
Prediction
Manchester United 3-0 Bournemouth
This is likely to be the fixture that sees Mourinho unleash his attacking players and Bournemouth might just be the unlucky one to bear the brunt of it. The Red Devils will also be looking to restore the clean sheet juggernaut they had going at home.
Expect a United backlash and a comfortable win. There is considerable doubt on Romelu Lukaku’s ability to get on the scoresheet, for now at least.
