Manchester United FC vs AFC Bournemouth, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Manchester United FC vs AFC Bournemouth Match Prediction & Analysis

Manchester United’s revival under Erik ten Hag continues to gather pace as the Premier League is back in full swing after the World Cup break.

The club has returned to the top four after an important win away to Wolves recently, leaving it until the second half to grab the winning goal. It’s a game they may not have won last season.

Now, they will have their sights set on catching the teams above them, with Newcastle just two points ahead of them in 3rd having plenty a game extra.

Bournemouth, on the other hand, have just lost their way of late under Gary O’Neil. They were comfortably beaten at home by Crystal Palace in their last game, meaning it’s now five defeats from their last six.

The club is now just two points ahead of the bottom three and the Cherries will be looking over their shoulder. Defeat here could leave them in a perilous position if other results go against them.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Manchester United FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Looking to register four consecutive home wins for first time since 2017

     Have won seven of their 10 league meetings with Bournemouth

Reasons to be fearful:

     Have a jam-packed fixture schedule coming up

     Still don’t score enough goals

The arrival of Manchester United in the top four signals the confidence that is flowing through Erik ten Hag’s team right now.

They have navigated the World Cup break effortlessly, winning the five games on either side of the international tournament. They now seek their fourth consecutive Premier League victory.

With a game in hand, they could realistically overtake Newcastle if their form continues, although the Magpies will have something to say about that. 

The one weakness for United right now is not scoring enough goals. Their goal difference in the league is only +4, while they have scored some 20 goals fewer than Manchester City.

The good news is that when they take the lead, they’ve won every time this season.

Here, Marcus Rashford should return from the start, having scored when coming off the bench against Wolves, while Lisandro Martinez could make his comeback after winning the World Cup with Argentina.

Star Man – Marcus Rashford

Rashford has now scored in his last three games for United, showing that he is his team’s in-form player. His pace and powerful running make him nearly impossible to stop when he’s in this frame of mind.

AFC Bournemouth Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Should raise their levels against a top team

     Manager O’Neil has experience of beating United as a player

Reasons to be fearful

     Claimed just eight points from their last 18 away games

     Conceded 26 goals in their eight away matches this season

Bournemouth’s positive start under Gary O’Neil is now a distant memory and the club almost certainly faces a relegation battle unless they can find a purple patch of form from somewhere.

You would think that against a big team like Manchester United, these Bournemouth players will find an extra level of motivation. They will need it to cope with this confident United side.

On their travels, it doesn’t make for pretty reading. Only Burnley in 2009/2010 conceded more than the 26 away goals that Bournemouth have conceded so far, while they’ve collected eight from a possible 54 points.

It’ll be a tall order here, but the longer they can withstand United’s attack, the more they will frustrate the home team.

The club will assess Philip Billing after suffered a knock against Crystal Palace.

Star Man – Kieffer Moore

With United’s defence not exactly the tallest, particularly on the left-hand side, Moore’s physical presence could cause them a problem or too. His teammates must provide accurate service, however.