Bournemouth and Manchester United will be eager to return to winning ways when they face off at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday in Gameweek 34 of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
Bournemouth had hoped to remain contenders for UEFA Champions League qualification, having been in and around the top five for several weeks. However, a poor run of form-just one win in their last eight league games-has seen them slip to eighth place, eight points behind seventh-placed Aston Villa.
Manchester United’s season has been disappointing, with 15 losses in 33 league games so far. After a poor start that cost Erik ten Hag his job, things have not improved under Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils currently sit 15th and could finish as low as 17th by the end of the campaign.
The reverse fixture saw Bournemouth cruise to a 3-0 victory over Manchester United, with goals from Dean Huijsen, Patrick Kluivert, and Antoine Semenyo.
Team News & Tactics
Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola has no fresh injury concerns but will be without Ryan Christie (groin), Luis Sinisterra (hamstring), and Enes Unal (knee). Lewis Cook is expected to be fit. Bournemouth will line up in a 4-2-3-1 with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal. The defense will feature Adam Smith, Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, and Milos Kerkez. Lewis Cook and Tyler Adams will form the midfield double pivot. Justin Kluivert will play as the number 10, flanked by Antoine Semenyo and Dango Ouattara. Evanilson leads the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Cook, Adams; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson
Manchester United
Ruben Amorim faces multiple absences: Diogo Dalot (calf), Lisandro Martinez (knee), Matthijs de Ligt (ankle), Ayden Heaven (ankle), Toby Collyer (leg), Amad Diallo (ankle), and Joshua Zirkzee (thigh). Andre Onana will start in goal. The defense will include Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, and Leny Yoro. Patrick Dorgu replaces Dalot at right wing-back, with Harry Amass on the left. Bruno Fernandes returns to midfield alongside Manuel Ugarte. Rasmus Hojlund leads the attack, supported by Alejandro Garnacho and Mason Mount.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dorgu, Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes, Amass; Mount, Garnacho; Hojlund
Key Stats
-
Bournemouth have earned seven points in their last three league games against Manchester United, matching their total from the previous 12 meetings.
-
Bournemouth’s 49 points this season is their highest-ever top-flight tally.
-
A loss on Sunday would mark the first time Manchester United lose 16 Premier League games in a season since 1989/90.
-
Manchester United have failed to score in 13 Premier League games this season, only Everton and Leicester City have more.
-
Bournemouth have taken 526 shots this season, hitting the post 21 times, joint highest in the league.
Player to Watch: Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has created 77 Premier League chances this season, second only to Cole Palmer. He is one assist shy of recording double-digit assists for the second time in his career. Fernandes will be eager to perform well ahead of Manchester United’s UEFA Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club.
Bournemouth vs Manchester United Prediction
Bournemouth 1-0 Manchester United
Bournemouth’s home form and Manchester United’s ongoing struggles suggest a narrow win for the Cherries, who could complete the league double over the Red Devils for the first time since the 1933/34 season.
Bournemouth vs Manchester United Live Stream
Watch online via NaijaSport247
