One of the best parts of the festive season is the sheer volume of Premier League action that we get to watch. Tuesday is no different, and one of the four games features Manchester United facing Bournemouth.
United come into this in great form, while Bournemouth are just clear of the relegation zone. Find out our best bet for this match in our Manchester United vs. Bournemouth picks and predictions.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth best odds
Manchester United vs Bournemouth picks and predictions
Manchester United are firmly in the race for the Champions League positions. More importantly than that, they now have a manager in Erik ten Hag, who seems to have a personality big enough for the club.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth are outside of the relegation zone, and that’s a position that they’d have happily taken at the start of the season following their promotion from the championship. There are some causes for concern, as they've lost all three of their games since the World Cup break, with two defeats in the Premier League and one in the EFL Cup.
The same cannot be said for Manchester United, who have been in brilliant form since their players returned from the World Cup. They’ve won three games on the bounce, with two of those victories coming in the league.
One person who has really thrived has been Marcus Rashford, as the 25-year-old has scored in each of those three games. This included the winner over the weekend when Man United beat Wolves 1-0.
Rashford started on the bench in that game, having been disciplined for oversleeping and missing a team meeting, but he showed his class when he came on and won the game. Rashford was also the joint top scorer for England at the World Cup, despite only one start.
Last year was arguably the worst season of Rashford’s career, capping off a poor 18 months for the striker. However, he’s been reborn under ten Hag, who views him as a key piece of the jigsaw.
This season, Rashford has scored 14 goals in 27 appearances. Tuesday marks a promising return for a player who has played a lot of games as a wide forward down the left and not through the middle, especially when Cristiano Ronaldo was on the roster.
Despite playing a back five, Bournemouth have given up four goals in their two Premier League games since the World Cup. Rashford may have started from the bench last week, but now he’ll start, having successfully worked to regain Ten Hag’s trust.
Put your faith in Rashford on Tuesday. At +175, he is a great bet to score again here.
My best bet: Marcus Rashford to score anytime (+175 at bet365)
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Manchester United vs Bournemouth side analysis
The hosts are in great form and, under ten Hag, have become one of the most exciting teams to watch in the Premier League this season. The biggest story has been the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, but the pace and guile of Rashford, Anthony Martial, Antony, and the young Alejandro Garnacho can still cause massive problems.
Defensively, United look stronger in recent months. It’ll be interesting to see if ten Hag continues to play Luke Shaw as the left-sided central defender, with Lindelof and Maguire on the bench like in the last game.
Bournemouth went into their defeat against Crystal Palace playing a 5-3-2 with the fullbacks getting on to support the attacking play. Despite a defensive-leaning formation, they still allowed Palace too many opportunities, with the Londoners getting away 15 shots and scoring two.
Bournemouth only managed six shots all game, which perhaps shows how limited that formation is. Given the quality of United, I’d expect them to try something similar, loading up in defense, but it’s imperative that they can get forward more and create chances.
Manchester United should win, but at -350, you’re not getting good enough value to justify a wager.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth Over/Under analysis
With Over 2.5 goals coming in at -175, you know that the books are expecting to see goals at Old Trafford. When you look at the stats throughout the season, it’s clear why the Over is far more likely to land than the Under.
Man United have seen Over 2.5 goals in 56.3% of their Premier League games this season, a figure that rises marginally to 57.1% when they’re at home.
Bournemouth has cashed the Over 2.5 in 62.5% of their road games so far this season. In eight games on the road in the Premier League, they’ve allowed 26 goals, scoring just nine of their own. If you’re following the trends, then you’re going to want to bet the Over here.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth game info
| Location: | Old Trafford, Manchester, England |
| Date: | Tuesday, January 3, 2023 |
| Time: | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Peacock, fuboTV |
Manchester United vs Bournemouth key injuries
Manchester United: Jadon Sancho FWR (Out), Lisandro Martinez CB (Questionable), Scott McTominay CM (Questionable), Diogo Dalot RB (Questionable).
Bournemouth: David Brooks CAM (Out), Neto GK (out), Junior Stanislas CAM (Out), Ryan Fredericks RB (Out).
Manchester United vs Bournemouth recent form
| Teams | Last five matches |
|---|---|
| Manchester United | W-D-W-D-W |
| Bournemouth | L-L-L-D-W |
Manchester United vs Bournemouth weather
Temperatures will be in the 50s at kickoff, and this one will be played in heavy rain following a day of torrential downpours.
