Bournemouth will host Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday as the Premier League season reaches its climax. While both clubs have different objectives approaching the game, the stakes are higher for United who will be eager to secure a top-four finish and seal a spot in the UEFA Champions League next season. Meanwhile, the hosts, against all expectations, have successfully avoided relegation and will be looking to end their campaign on a positive note.
Bournemouth entered the season as one of the favorites for relegation, but they have defied the odds under the guidance of manager Gary O'Neil. Despite their recent back-to-back defeats against Chelsea and Crystal Palace, the Cherries have shown resilience and sit comfortably in 14th place with 39 points. While their home form has been shaky in weeks gone by, the Cherries have a history of finishing strongly on their own turf and should pose enough trouble for the Red Devils.
Statistically, Bournemouth's recent form has been a mixed bag. They have won four out of their previous five matches, but the last two encounters have ended in defeats. In their last 14 league fixtures, the Cherries have recorded seven wins and seven losses, highlighting their inconsistent performances throughout the season. Moreover, their defensive record has been a concern, as they have conceded 69 goals in the Premier League, second only to Leeds United. As a result, they will need to tighten up at the back against a Manchester United side that is solely fixated on getting the maximum three points.
Usually, Erik ten Hag's men should be expected to stroll through the upcoming fixture without mush hassle. However, the fact that they have experienced a rollercoaster season gives room for concern. After a turbulent start, they found stability under Erik ten Hag and have already clinched the Carabao Cup this season. They will have the opportunity to deny rivals Man City a potential treble when they go head to head in the FA Cup final in the coming weeks. However, their primary focus remains on securing a top-four finish to secure Champions League football for the next campaign.
In terms of away form, United have struggled in recent months. They have accumulated only eight points from their last nine away matches, winning just two of them. This poor away record has made their task of securing a top-four finish even more challenging, and with Liverpool breathe down their necks, there is much work to be done. As such, Red Devils will need to rectify their away woes and produce a strong performance against Bournemouth.
Head-to-head: Bournemouth vs Manchester United
Historically, Manchester United has enjoyed the upper hand against Bournemouth. They have emerged victorious in eight of their last 11 Premier League meetings, including a comfortable 3-0 win in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford earlier this season.
However, Bournemouth will draw confidence from their slender 1-0 victory over the Red Devils in their last meeting at the Vitality Stadium back in 2019. The Cherries will also look to capitalize on their home advantage and cause an upset against the Red Devils once again.
Team news: Bournemouth vs Manchester United
Bournemouth manager O'Neil has provided updates on the team's injury situation, revealing that Antoine Semenyo will be unavailable for the remainder of the season due to an unspecified injury. Additionally, Hamed Traore (foot), Marcus Tavernier (hamstring), Ryan Fredericks (calf), and Junior Stanislas (unspecified) continue to be sidelined. However, Kieffer Moore has recovered from concussion and could feature in the starting lineup alongside or as a replacement for Dominic Solanke, particularly after Bournemouth's lackluster attacking performance against Palace.
As for Manchester United, Marcel Sabitzer has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury, joining Lisandro Martinez (foot), Donny van de Beek, Phil Jones (both knee), and Tom Heaton (ankle) on the injury list. Marcus Rashford (illness) and Scott McTominay (knock) are doubtful for the upcoming match and will undergo assessments before kickoff. Meanwhile, Raphael Varane has recovered from his injury and is likely to retain his place alongside Victor Lindelof in the center-back position after starting against Wolves.
Broadcast information: Bournemouth vs Manchester United
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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