Man Utd vs Bournemouth Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United reign has been an inconsistent one with some major highs and lows already as the Red Devils now face an impressive AFC Bournemouth side this week.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 22nd December, 2024: UK – 2:00pm / US ET – 9:00am / US PT – 6:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Peacock
Man Utd Preview: Struggling for consistency
Manchester United come into this one on the back of a dramatic and fairly bizarre week. It began with a remarkable 2-1 win against Manchester City last weekend with an equaliser in the 88th minute and then winning the game less than two minutes later via Amad Diallo.
It was, though, a generally poor performance that was backed up by a quarter-final exit in the EFL Cup by Tottenham Hotspur in midweek. They were 3-0 down before taking advantage of a couple of Fraser Forster mistakes but eventually succumbed to a 4-3 loss in north London.
Bournemouth Preview: Cherries on the rise
Andoni Iraola’s AFC Bournemouth have been magnificent since his appointment in the summer of 2023 and the Cherries will believe they can genuinely sustain a challenge for the top seven or eight in the Premier League and potential UEFA competition qualification.
The southerners had to rescue a point against West Ham United last weekend with a late and stunning free-kick scored by Enes Unal at the Vitality Stadium. They now begin the weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just three points outside of the top four.
Man Utd Team News: Mount to be out 'for a long time'
According to Ruben Amorim in his pre-match press conference, Mason Mlount is expected to be out for a 'long time' after he limped off against Manchester City last weekend. Victor Lindelof was also forced off in midweek against Spurs and he is also now unavailable for this one.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Diallo, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Unavailable: Lindelof (Injured), Shaw (Injured), Mount (Injured)
Questionable:
Bournemouth Team News: No fresh concerns
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Bournemouth to deal with this weekend which means Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson, who were expected to be doubts, appear fit and available for this weekend. The likes of Alex Scott and Marcus Tavernier do, however, remain key absentees for the visitors.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson
Unavailable: Senesi (Injured), Araujo (Injured), Scott (Injured), Tavernier (Injured), Sinisterra (Injured)
Questionable:
Man Utd vs Bournemouth Prediction
Manchester United have been a bit chaotic under Amorim, albeit the former Sporting CP coach is striving for more control which became quite clear in the games against Arsenal and Manchester United. Chaos is an environment in which AFC Bournemouth should thrive and they have been good against the so-called better sides in the league with victories against Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. A double chance bet in favour of the away team could well be a good value bet for this one at Old Trafford.
Man Utd vs Bournemouth Tip: Double chance – Bournemouth to win or draw
