Prediction: Manchester United vs Bournemouth

Verdict: Manchester United to score 3+ goals

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Bet365

On Wednesday night, Manchester United will need to immediately recover from their derby-day hangover if they have any chance of mounting a late Premier League title charge. Jose Mourinho’s men will play host to a Bournemouth side who have recently found some stability and are unbeaten in their last four appearances on the road.

Manchester United

For Jose Mourinho’s side, their 2-1 loss to arch-rivals Manchester City on Sunday afternoon could have seen the Red Devils hand the Premier League title to their noisy neighbors. Currently sat second in the table, United are now 11 points behind the runaway league leaders. Mourinho will know that United’s main objective will simply be to keep the pressure on their cross-town rivals. For United, it will be important to immediately get back to winning way at Old Trafford. Prior to United’s slip up on Sunday afternoon, the Red Devils had not been beaten at home since September 2016 and have only conceded three goals on home soil this year, two of them coming at the weekend.

For United, they have been in fine goalscoring form this year, Mourinho’s men have managed to find the back of the net 36 times in their 16 Premier League appearances this year. Although they may boast the second best attack in the Premier League, United fans will be slightly concerned by the recent form of summer signing Romelu Lukaku. After hitting the ground running after his switch from Everton last summer, the Belgium international has now only scored one domestic goal since the end of September.

Team News

Manchester United will once again be without influential midfielder Paul Pogba. The French international is in the middle of serving a three-match suspension. Along with Pogba, Mourinho will also be unable to call upon the services of club captain Michael Carrick and defender Eric Baily is still not match fit.

While Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini pushes for a recall following a slight knee injury, defender Rojo looks set to miss out following a cut to the head he sustained during the derby.

Bournemouth

Over the past month, the Cherries have transformed into the Premier League’s draw specialists. Although Bournemouth are a side unbeaten in their last four, they’re also without a win, losing one and drawing three of those matches. Now in their third consecutive season among England’s elite, Bournemouth can now be considered an established Premier League outfit. Currently sat 14th in the table, Cherries boss Eddie Howe will know that his east coast side are still only three points above the relegation zone.

Coming off the back of last weekends hard thought point against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth will feel lucky to have come away with anything after Christian Benteke missed a last minute penalty. Howe’s side will, however, feel mildly confident about their journey to Manchester. Bournemouth are currently unbeaten in their last four appearances away from Dean Court, with their last defeat on the road coming in the middle of October. If Bournemouth want to make it four consecutive seasons among the Premier League ranks, they will know the importance of finding a fine run of form during a busy Christmas period. After traveling to Manchester on Wednesday, the Cherries face a run in that will see them face Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Team News

Bournemouth will have right-back Adam Smith available again following suspension, while midfielder Harry Arter could come back into contention having been an unused substitute in the 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.

Defender Tyrone Mings is to see a specialist after suffering a problem in his recovery from a back problem. Goalkeeper Adam Federici (knee) is back in light training for the Cherries, while defender Brad Smith (hip) also continues his rehabilitation.

 Key Factors to Consider

• Manchester United have won five of their six home meetings with Bournemouth in all competitions, with the exception being a 1-1 draw in this fixture last season.
• AFC Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last four away matches, one short of their longest run away from home in the Premier League.
• Manchester United have not lost successive home matches in all competitions since January 2014.
• Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku has only scored once in his last 10 Premier League appearances.
• The Cherries’ have scored at least once in each of their four Premier League meetings with Manchester United, making them the side the Red Devils have faced the most without keeping a clean sheet.

Conclusion

Nobody more than the United boss will know the importance of putting on a dominant display at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. With United already managing to put three or more goals past seven of their 16 opponents this year, Mourinho will fancy his chances of getting back to winning ways at Old Trafford. Backing United to find the back of the net three or more times seems like a logical bet here.

Verdict: Manchester United to score 3+ goals

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Bet365