'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
This Saturday witnesses a clash between Bournemouth and Manchester United – two clubs with massive contrasts in financial strengths in the Premier League. One club has a seating capacity of 11,000 while the other can boast a capacity of almost 76,000. One club‘s transfer record stands at £8m whereas the other’s bank-breaking record currently stands at £59.7m.
The odds are stacked heavily in favour of a routine victory for Louis van Gaal’s side. But, football – like this Premier League season – can be an unpredictable game as Bournemouth’s humbling of champions Chelsea proved. But do the Cherries have the ability and, more importantly, the willpower to go out there and tear another script apart in front of their own fans on Saturday?
Trending
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: StarSports 1, StarSports HD1
Live Stream : www.starsports.com
Date and Time : Saturday, 12 December 2015 – 17:30 GMT (23:00 IST)
Venue : Dean Court, Bournemouth
Team News
Bournemouth will continue to have Arthur Boruc in goal despite a slight knee problem, whereas second choice goalkeeper Adam Federici and winger Marc Pugh have recovered from their respective injuries. Lee Tomlin and Christian Atsu may find this game coming too soon for them as they look to regain full match fitness. Callum Wilson, Tommy Elphick, Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings are long term absentees from the squad.
Manchester United’s absentee list just keeps growing longer and longer for Van Gaal’s side as he has been dealt another massive blow with star centre-back Chris Smalling out injured and Bastian Schweinsteiger banned for three games.
In addition to the duo, Matteo Darmian will also be another player missing from Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg in the Champions League. Morgan Schneiderlein is expected to feature after recovering from a hip injury, but Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera and Wayne Rooney all remain sidelined.
Team Form
Bournemouth come into this game on the back of a barely believable 1-0 victory against struggling title-holders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – a result manager Eddie Howe described as the ‘greatest ever result’ in the Cherries’ history. The confidence levels of this side will be sky-high and the Dean Court faithful will wait with bated breath to see whether their side can conjure up another eye-opening performance, if not a similar result against Louis van Gaal’s injury-hit side.
In spite of losses to Southampton and Newcastle, they miraculously got a point with an equaliser against Everton deep into stoppage time – in the 98th minute!
Last 5 games (All Competitions): L-L-D-D-W (Last match: Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth)
Manchester United will visit Dean Court a depleted unit, both in terms of confidence and personnel following a 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg which sent them crashing out of the Champions League. The lack of goals upfront has also been a cause for concern for Van Gaal, and 20 goals in 15 league games is an average return for a team who have spent around £100m this season on transfers looking to bring fire-power to the squad.
Three consecutive draws before the loss to Wolfsburg – which included two 0-0 results – has seen United fans frustrated with the Dutchman’s philosophy as they beg their team to play attacking football with constant chants at Old Trafford.
Last 5 games (All Competitions): W-D-D-D-L (Last match: Wolfsburg 3-2 Manchester United)
Possible Starting Lineups
Key Stats
- Bournemouth’s only victory over their upcoming opponents was a 2-0 victory in an FA Cup third round tie in 1984 under Harry Redknapp.
- United have failed to win their last 4 games in all competitions (D3, L1)
- United have conceded only 10 goals in 15 Premier League games – the best defence in the EPL.
- Anthony Martial has failed to score in the league since netting twice against Southampton in a 3-2 victory on 20 September 2015.
- Bournemouth have won just once at Dean Court all season, a 2-0 victory over fellow relegation candidates Sunderland.
- Bournemouth have conceded 30 league goals this season – joint worst in the Premier League (along with Newcastle)
Key Battles
Harry Arter vs Morgan Schneiderlin
Bournemouth’s star from last season, Harry Arter showed from his performance against Chelsea last week why Bournemouth missed his presence throughout te season. His presence in the centre of the pitch links the whole team together as far as ground passing is concerned.
His ability to make that incisive ball to the goal-bound forward proved vital for Bournemouth’s successful Championship season, and French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has the responsibility to keep the 25-year-old’s game at bay and keep him in check throughout the 90 minutes.
His tackles and interceptions will be key to ensure Arter does not get the opportunity to feed off the wingers and striker in the attacking third.
Prediction
Bournemouth’s intensity up front, coupled with Chris Smalling’s absence at the back will make the job all the more difficult for United to keep the Cherries quiet. Although there is that massive void in defence, Van Gaal’s side have the attacking prowess to cut open the Bournemouth back line. If they can upgrade their shooting boots, the Red Devils should be able to come out of Dean Court with all three points in the bag.
Predicted score: Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester United
Betting Odds
Bournemouth – 12/5
Draw – 12/5
Manchester United – 13/10
