Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth Predictions

• Bournemouth have lost six of their last seven league games
• The visitors concede 3.25 goals per game on the road this season
• The Cherries have conceded 24 goals across seven clashes with the league’s top eight
• United have won their last three games to nil

United chase top four

Man United picked up where they left off ahead of the World Cup, with the Red Devils now winning their last five competitive games. They’ve jumped into the Champions League spots, while another win looks to be on the way with Bournemouth arriving at Old Trafford in awful form.

The Red Devils moved up to fourth with Saturday’s 1-0 win over Wolves and they’re making the most of a favourable return to action over the festive period. They kick off the New Year with a home clash against one of the worst travellers in recent history in the top flight, so it’s little surprise that United are heavy favourites.

Bournemouth’s away woes

Bournemouth have won just eight points in their last 18 away Premier League games (W2 D2 L14), while they have the third-worst away record in the division this term, having lost each of their last three on the road. The Cherries have shipped 26 goals in just eight away games so far, which is the second most by a team after their first eight away matches in a Premier League season, one goal shy of Burnley in 2009-10.

Bournemouth have lost eight of their nine away games against Manchester United in all competitions, so the omens aren’t good for the visitors heading to Old Trafford. The Cherries have conceded 24 goals across their seven meetings with the league’s top eight, so this looks like a mismatch.

Comfortable win for United

The Red Devils have returned with three straight wins to nil since the World Cup, with Marcus Rashford scoring in each victory. While he was dropped against Wolves over a disciplinary matter, his winner off the bench should see him return to the fold. Rashford has been directly involved in seven of Manchester United’s last 10 home Premier League goals and he’s good value to strike against a poor Bournemouth defence.

Manchester United have won seven of their 10 Premier League meetings with the Cherries and they’ve got a 100% record against the bottom five teams in the league this term. Given United’s impressive run defensively and the fact that the visitors concede 3.25 goals per away game, the hosts should win by two clear goals.

The Cherries have lost six of their last seven league games and four of their five away defeats have been by a two-goal margin or greater. United have won 2-0 and 3-0 in their first two home games since the World Cup, so back them to see off Bournemouth with a -1 handicap, while the hosts should be good for a 3-0 win.

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