By Ian King
Work to do
Neither Bournemouth nor Manchester United come into this sport in nice kind. Bournemouth have gained simply certainly one of their final eight and have seen fleeting aspirations of European soccer fade from view, whereas United have solely crushed Ipswich and Leicester within the League for the reason that finish of January. United had the dopamine hit of that last-gasp win towards Lyon within the Europa League, however that didn’t appear to have had many lasting results, if their efficiency towards Wolves the next weekend was something to go by.
Historical past
In 1957, when AFC Bournemouth have been nonetheless Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, these two met in an FA Cup quarter-final at Dean Courtroom. United gained 2-1 that day, however 27 years later the Cherries acquired revenge, successful 2-0 within the Third Spherical underneath the management of a promising younger supervisor known as Harry Redknapp. Curiously, they have been drawn collectively thrice in six seasons within the Nineteen Eighties. United gained 3-0 at Outdated Trafford in 1985 and 2-1 after a replay in 1989. United haven’t gained any of their final three conferences, and Bournemouth gained the corresponding fixture in December, 3-0 at Outdated Trafford.
Key Gamers
Of all probably the most spectacular cogs within the machine constructed by Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth this season, one which has actually stood out has been Justin Kluivert. When he’s on his sport, he brings an additional dimension to any attacking place in addition to an air of unpredictability. Manchester United’s sometimes supine defence might seem like one thing of an open invitation.
There haven’t been many brilliant spots to United’s season, although the expansion of Kobbie Mainoo has stood out. His harm was an enormous blow, and his return is nearly the one bit of excellent information to have come from Outdated Trafford these previous couple of weeks. He demonstrated why he was missed with the equalising objective in that extraordinary 5-4 win towards Lyon.
Workforce Information
The most recent addition to the Manchester United therapy room is Joshua Zirkzee, who gained’t play once more this season. Toby Collyer is known to be near returning, however isn’t fairly there but. Altay Bayındır missed the Wolves sport, and whether or not he’ll begin this one or whether or not Andre Onaná stays in objective is an open query. Bournemouth are positively lacking Enes Ünal and Ryan Christie and, whereas there’s been speak that Luis Sinisterra may return earlier than the tip of this season, there’s been no precise signal of it but.
Prediction
Manhcester United could also be distracted by their upcoming Europa League semi-final towards Athletic Membership, and Bournemouth are simply the type of workforce to have the ability to decide off opponents who aren’t paying consideration. Their very own kind has been patchy, however they continue to be a fluid, organised unit of a workforce. United’s Premier League season is fading from view early, identical to the final time round. 3-0 Bournemouth, with the whole lot resting on Europe for his or her guests.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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