Verdict: Manchester United win & under five goals
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Unibet
Making their final appearance of 2021 at Old Trafford on Thursday night, Manchester United will host relegation scrappers Burnley.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester United might have marked their return from an extended break earlier in the week, it really was a night to forget for Ralf Ragnick’s new squad. Putting in a display that saw them come under real scrutiny, the Reds will know that they were very lucky to have left St. James’ Park with a 1-1 draw to show for their troubles. Heavily outplayed by relegation scrappers Newcastle on Monday, the former RB Leipzig boss will be demanding an immediate response from his side here. Suffering a COVID-19 outbreak in their camp earlier in the month following back-to-back 1-0 victories against Norwich and Crystal Palace, fans around Old Trafford will have a headache over their side’s recent issues in the final third. Still facing what appears to be an uphill battle if they’re to clinch another top-four finish this season, United can not afford many more banana skins.
Team News
Coming off the bench and finding the net against Newcastle on Monday night, Edinson Cavani will be hoping to make his firs start under Ragnick here.
However, along with Paul Pogba once again missing out, Bruno Fernandes will also not feature as he serves a one-match suspension.
Burnley
As for the visitors, another side who have been heavily affected by the recent climate, Burnley will be hoping that they show no signs of ring rust at Old Trafford on Thursday night. Last seen back on December 12th when playing out a 0-0 stalemate against West Ham on home soil, Sean Dyche’s men still find themselves firmly at the heart of another relegation scrap. While the Clarets might still hold a pair of games in hand over 17th-place Watford, they are still sat two points adrift of safety. With their recent issues highlighted by a sluggish 1-0 loss against fellow bottom-three contenders Newcastle earlier in the month, Burnley have failed to win any of their last five Premier League outings. Likewise, it should also be highlighted, the midweek guests have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous 11 matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to September 21st.
Team News
Burnley have confirmed that the duo of Ashley Barnes and Connor Roberts will once again miss out at Old Trafford.
However, in what is a real boost for Dyche’s men, attacking talisman Maxwel Cornet should make his return here.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Thursday’s opponents last faced off back in April, Manchester United picked up a 3-1 win at Old Trafford.
- Likewise, the former Premier League champions have lost just one of their last 13 meetings against Burnley.
- Burnley have managed to record just a single Premier League victory so far this season.
- Manchester United have failed to score more than a single strike in any of their previous four matchups across all formats.
- The Clarets have failed to find the net in any of their last three Premier League contests.
Conclusion
After having to settle for what was a lucky point away at Newcastle earlier in the week, there is no doubt that Ragnick will be demanding an immediate response here. Making their final appearance of 2021 at Old Trafford on Thursday night, the Reds should at least be smelling another golden chance to make up some ground. Not featuring in a single contest since playing out a 0-0 stalemate against West Ham on December 12th, Burnley should face a tough return to action in midweek. Landing just a single Premier League victory since opening the 2021/22 campaign, the Clarets also hold a largely downbeat record against the former champions.
Verdict: Manchester United win & under five goals
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Unibet
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