Manchester United wraps up a bittersweet week hosting Bournemouth, one of the standout teams this Premier League season. The match will take place at Old Trafford on Sunday, December 22, at 9:00 a.m. ET.
The Red Devils are still celebrating their incredible late comeback win in the derby against Manchester City last Sunday. That 2-1 victory could be a turning point for a team that needs to climb up the standings, though midweek brought another blow as they were eliminated from the EFL Cup by Tottenham.
On the other hand, the Cherries are having a dream season with a chance to secure a spot in European competition. Manager Andoni Iraola has successfully instilled his philosophy in a team that has already proven it won’t back down against England’s top clubs. Here is my Manchester United vs. Bournemouth prediction for Sunday’s clash.
Manchester United vs. Bournemouth Prediction, Pick, Odds
| Bournemouth Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+0.5 +105 | 2.5 -175o / 137u | +320 |
| Man U Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-0.5 -118 | 2.5 -175o / 137u | -125 |
- Manchester United vs. Bournemouth moneyline odds: Manchester United -125, Draw +280, Bournemouth +320
- Manchester United vs. Bournemouth over/under: 2.5 Goals (Over -175, Under 137)
- Manchester United vs. Bournemouth pick: Both Teams To Score & Over 2.5 Goals
I am backing Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals in the Manchester United vs. Bournemouth match.
Manchester United Prediction
Ruben Amorim was brought in as Manchester United’s manager to restore the club’s glory, though his first month in charge has delivered mixed results. Two Europa League victories reignited hopes of competing in that tournament, but in the Premier League, they remain in the bottom half of the table.
Last week’s derby triumph could serve as a morale booster. That game at the Etihad Stadium brought plenty of positives: a win against their city rivals, a show of character by overturning the scoreline in the final three minutes and the confirmation of Amad Diallo as a rising star.
Despite that, Thursday’s 4-3 defeat to Tottenham exposed several weaknesses, especially in defense. Certain individual performances, like Antony’s remain underwhelming and there are positions, such as Bruno Fernandes’, where there seems to be no adequate backup.
Much like "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", this team embodies both good and bad, and you never know which version will show up on the pitch. This inconsistency can no longer be blamed on injuries, with Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw being the only confirmed absences.
Bournemouth Prediction
If Manchester United is synonymous with inconsistency, the opposite is true for Bournemouth, who are experiencing their best Premier League form since returning to the top flight just over two years ago. They always play the same way: aggressive, high pressing and keen on dominating possession.
They’ve already beaten Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City with that style this season. However, the formula doesn’t always work and there have been avoidable losses, like those against Leicester and Brentford.
Their main strength seems to lie at home. Away from Vitality Stadium, their numbers dip, which is an area they need to improve. Old Trafford is a good place to start turning that around.
The strong results have positioned the club from the south of England in the upper half of the table, fighting for what could be a historic qualification to a European tournament. This achievement is even more impressive considering their injury list, which includes Marcus Tavernier, Marcos Senesi, Julián Araujo and Luis Sinisterra.
Manchester United vs. Bournemouth Prediction
Although Manchester United is the clear favorite, their inconsistency makes their performance unpredictable. And while Bournemouth has been in better form this season, their struggles away from home also cast doubt on their ability to assert dominance on the pitch. As a result, I’m not picking a winner for this game.
However, there are plenty of reasons to expect a high-scoring match. Five of Bournemouth’s last seven Premier League games have seen BTTS (both teams to score) and over 2.5 goals. The two exceptions, against Spurs and West Ham, share the common factor of being played on a Monday.
The Red Devils have scored in 13 of their last 14 matches. They’ve tallied 30 goals during that span, averaging 2.14 per game.
The head-to-head record also suggests a match full of excitement. Bournemouth defeated Manchester United 3-0 last season, their only win in seven visits to Old Trafford since being promoted to the Premier League. They have lost five of those meetings, conceding an average of 2.43 goals per game.
Manchester United vs. Bournemouth Pick: Both Teams To Score & Over 2.5 Goals
