AFC Bournemouth vs Manchester United Predictions

• Bournemouth ran out 3-0 victors in the reverse fixture back in December
• The Cherries are unbeaten in four home games, winning three
• United are winless in three on the road, losing two

Red Devils can put recent away-day hoodoo to bed with victory

Manchester United turned the Premier League title race on its head last weekend by holding then league leaders Liverpool to a 2-2 draw, allowing Arsenal to overtake them on goal difference, and they can push on from that impressive draw when they travel to Bournemouth in Saturday’s late kick-off.

United are on a three game winless run on the road in the league but two of these have come against members of the “Big Six” – with Erik ten Hag’s men losing 3-1 and 4-3 to Manchester City and Chelsea respectively – and so should be able to return to winning ways against a bottom half side.

Bournemouth may have won each of their last three at the Vitality Stadium but these victories have all come against relegation threatened sides – in the form of Luton, Everton and Crystal Palace – with Andoni Iraola’s side losing four of their five home meetings with sides currently in the top six.

United have plenty of attacking talent readily available for this encounter on Saturday and have lost just one of their last five visits to the Vitality Stadium, winning four. With the likes of West Ham and Newcastle lurking closely behind them, the Red Devils will know that they cannot afford many more slip-ups and will be expected to produce a professional performance to claim victory.

Fernandes can lead by example with a goal.

United captain Bruno Fernandes has faced his fair share of criticism over the course of this season but recent performances suggest that he is beginning to turn a corner and is leading by example with a number of promising performances in recent weeks.

The Portuguese midfielder has netted in each of his last two appearances – including the leveller against Liverpool last Sunday – and has registered six goals and as many assists so far this campaign.

Fernandes looks a promising outside option in the goalscorer market in what could be a vitally important United win but this victory is unlikely to come easily for the Red Devils. Each of the last three head-to-heads at Bournemouth have been separated by no more than one goal, while United have kept just one clean sheet across their last five and so the Cherries could find some joy in front of goal. We predict that United will edge out a 2-1 victory at the Vitality, easing the pressure on ten Hag.