Manchester United vs West Bromwich Albion Predictions

• Over 2.5 goals have been scored in five of Man Utd’s seven Premier League games this season.
• No club has conceded more Premier League goals than West Brom this season (17).
• Man Utd scored three or more goals in six separate matches in all competitions this season.
• Bruno Fernandes has scored more goals from open play in the Premier League than any other midfielder since his arrival in England.

Man Utd desperate for first home win

Capable of flitting from the superb to the absurd, Manchester United’s inconsistency has frustrated supporters and heaped pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season, though the Red Devils look huge favourites to end their search for a home win against West Brom.

Remarkably, United are without a Premier League win at Old Trafford since the new campaign kicked-off, and following a dismal run of three defeats in four on their own patch, the hosts will be desperate to put an end to their hoodoo.

Inspired by the brilliance of Bruno Fernandes, United recorded a confidence-building 3-1 win at Everton just before the international break, though the soft goal they conceded early on at Goodison Park was a reminder of the defensive problems that have plagued them in the season’s early exchanges.

Winless West Brom’s woes

Newly promoted West Brom meanwhile, remain one of three Premier League clubs still waiting for their first win of the new campaign, and having been beaten three times in four away assignments since their return to the top flight, the Baggies will be fearing the worst again this weekend.

In their most recent test on the road, Albion were outplayed and outdone by their former Championship counterparts Fulham in what felt like a self-belief shattering result.

That was the fourth time in five Premier League outings when Albion failed to find the net, though they should have a chance or two to improve their output at the Theatre of Dreams on Saturday.

No excuses for United

While excuses could be made and rationalisations manufactured following dropped points at home to Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal, anything less than a victory against West Brom on Saturday will crank up the pressure ten-fold on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United will be expected to win and to win well against the out of sorts Baggies in Manchester, and with Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood all likely to feature following fitness and injury issues, the Red Devils should have the firepower they need to triumph.

A combination of some sparkling attacking play and some calamitous defending has resulted in over 2.5 goals being notched in five of United’s seven Premier League matches this term, and we expect that same potent cocktail to deliver more action at Old Trafford this weekend.

West Brom were turned over in three of their four Premier League away contests since their promotion and conceded two or more goals in three of those reverses on the road, and though Albion’s rearguard looks incapable of keeping things tight again on Saturday, the Baggies could have opportunities to impact the scoresheet against a United backline that kept just one clean sheet in their last seven games on their own patch.

With the aforementioned factors aligned, the Man Utd win and over 2.5 goals market looks tempting at the prices available, while our correct score prediction tips the hosts to bag three points with a 3-1 victory.

No team has conceded more goals than West Brom (17) this season, and buoyed by the three efforts they notched at Everton, United look capable of netting three more against Albion.

Anytime goalscorer tip: Bruno Fernandes

While Bruno Fernandes’ penalty kick responsibilities make him a stand out candidate to notch in a team that wins plenty of them, it’s also worth noting that the Portuguese maestro has scored more goals from open play in the Premier League than any other midfielder since his arrival in England.

Bruno bagged two of those open play efforts for United in their 3-1 win at Everton, and with his confidence peaking, the schemer looks well placed to add to his tally for the campaign.

Manchester United injuries and team news

Eric Bailly and Luke Shaw have both been ruled out for United, while defensive duo Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have foot and back injuries to contend with after the international break.

Marcus Rashford should be fit again after a shoulder issue, while Alex Telles has been cleared to play following a COVID-19 scare.

West Brom injuries and team news

Sam Field and Hal Robson-Kanu will both miss out for WBA, while a so far unnamed pair of positive COVID-19 cases will also be absent for the Baggies.

Bratislav Ivanovic and Matheus Pereira should be back however following periods of self-isolation.