BOURNEMOUTH welcome Manchester United to Dean Court on Saturday . Anthony Olsson (@Ant_olsson93) analyses the encounter.
Bournemouth v Manchester United | Saturday 2nd November 2019, 12:30 | BT Sport
This week’s early start sees Bournemouth host a revitalised Manchester United in what could be a battle against the elements with 70mph winds predicted come kick-off.
The hosts haven’t won a game since beating Southampton 3-1 back in September with their recent record W0-D3-L1. The worry for Bournemouth is that they haven’t found the back of the net in their last three.
The Cherries managed 15 attempts last time out against Watford but they only hit the target with five. That tells me that the side just aren’t taking their chances of late and they’ll definitely need to against a United side who feel like they are getting back on form.
Man Utd come into the game unbeaten in four across all competitions and they have looked a bit better than their early season form. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hasn’t quite got new wheels but the spare tyre that he’s put on seems to be going OK thus far.
United seem to have gone back to their counter-attacking style that seemed to serve them so well when the Norwegian first took over. Their recent fixture list has allowed them to play in that way having hosted Liverpool, plus three away games after that.
This style of Saturday’s game might not be conducive to playing on the break and I think both sides are pretty well-matched. United seem to be growing in confidence and they have a match-winner in Marcus Rashford whose brilliant free-kick saw them through to the next round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
Whilst backing United is tempting, I think we will most likely end up with a draw, which is priced at 13/5 (Bet365). Bournemouth have been better at the back of late keeping back-to-back clean sheets and United have managed to score more than once in a league game just twice this term. It feels like it could be another low-scoring game.
Alternative angles
Another angle I like in this game is in the bookings market and it’s for Diego Rico to be shown a card at 7/2 (BetVictor). Rico will be most likely be up against Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and I think that could be a tricky time for him.
Rico has two yellow cards in seven games and whilst he doesn’t seem a regular offender, I like the match-up this game and I think the Spaniard will find his way into the referee’s notebook.
Finally, I fancy Daniel James to find the back the net. The Welshman has three goals in 10 league games this season and although he hasn’t scored since the game against Crystal Palace his form has improved and he is quickly becoming one of United’s best players. At 3/1 (Unibet) I think it’s a good price to get behind.
Best Bets
Bournemouth v Manchester United – Draw (13/5 Bet365)
Bournemouth v Manchester United – Diego Rico to be carded (7/2 BetVictor)
Bournemouth v Manchester United – Daniel James to score at anytime (3/1 Unibet)
