The State of Play
Andoni Iraola still has his AFC Bournemouth side flirting with a run towards the top seven or eight and potential UEFA Europa Conference League qualification spots. The Cherries had a much-improved recent run of form, collecting 13 points from five matches in the Premier League before suffering a frustrating 2-1 loss at Luton Town last weekend with a late winning goal scored by Carlton Morris.
Erik ten Hag has his Manchester United tucked inside the top six ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures but the Red Devils have underperformed throughout the campaign. The fact they are even in the top six is fairly astonishing given just how poor they have been this season and they do come into this one on the back of a 2-2 draw with Liverpool, in which they were dominated, which means they have won one of their last six in the league.
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Team News
The home team are definitely without both Ryan Fredericks and Luis Sinisterra for this weekend, whilst Chris Mepham, Antoine Semenyo and Tyler Adams are all doubtful with injuries, too.
Both left-backs, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw, are unavailable for this weekend. Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Scott McTominay are out, whilst Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane are all doubtful, too.
Expected Line-ups
AFC Bournemouth: Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Tavernier, Kluivert, Ouattara; Solanke
Manchester United: Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Kambwala, Wan-Bissaka; Mainoo, Casemiro; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
What they Said
Andoni Iraola has admitted to occasionally flicking through newspaper reports of his team, despite saying it is ‘better not to know’ what is being said from the outside.
Erik ten Hag was upbeat after United’s fortunate 2-2 draw with Liverpool last weekend, describing himself as ‘proud’ and saying the result was down to ‘stupid mistakes’.
When and How to Watch
This match will be played at the Vitality Stadium at 17:30 on Saturday April 13th and will be televised live on Sky Sports in the UK. It will also be able to be streamed live on the Sky Go app in the UK.
Prediction
It is nonsensical to suggest Manchester United are favourites to win any game they play given their performances this season. However, there is an argument that Bournemouth’s recent run of form was only down to playing the weakest or most out of form teams in the division and even then they were unconvincing. United have found ways to get over the line this season and another scratchy Red Devils win would seem likely.
