Goals look on the cards when United host Bournemouth on Saturday lunchtime.
Man Utd v Bournemouth – Saturday 12:30, Sky Sports 1
Man Utd beat Southampton in the League Cup final last weekend, in no small part thanks to match-winner Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and though they were second best for much of the contest it leaves Jose’s side with six victories on the bounce in all competitions. In the league they’re unbeaten in 16, winning eight of their last 11, whilst the only defeat they’ve suffered in their last 21 at Old Trafford came against Man City back in September.
It’s a different story for Bournemouth who continue to struggle, with their most recent result against West Brom their fourth defeat in a row, meaning Eddie Howe’s men are winless in eight across all competitions – a run that includes losses against Millwall, Hull and Palace. The defence has been particularly leaky, with the Cherries conceding at least twice in 12 of their last 14 top-flight outings, and at least three in eight of these.
United have typically been involved in tight encounters at Old Trafford this term, with eight of their last 10 featuring two goals or less, but against bottom-half sides they’ve scored at least twice in six of their last seven, and with Bournemouth’s recent defensive record, there should be plenty of opportunities for the Red Devils to find the net. Over half of Bournemouth’s eight matches this season against top-six opposition have seen four goals or more, and as the eighth highest scorers in the league themselves we’re backing Over 3.5 Goals, especially after Man Utd’s defence looked somewhat suspect at Wembley.
