Manchester United’s final Premier League fixture earlier than the worldwide break pits them in opposition to mid-table Bournemouth on the Vitality Stadium on Friday night.
United’s top-four quest acquired a decisive enhance final Sunday, as Michael Carrick’s aspect secured an excellent 3-1 residence win over fourth-placed Aston Villa.
With Liverpool held to a 1-1 draw by relegation-battling Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea overwhelmed by Newcastle United, the Crimson Devils now sit third within the Premier League standings, 5 factors away from the Europa League zone.
It’s now as much as the 20-time English champions to construct on that beneficial weekend and stretch their momentum on the highway in opposition to Andoni Iraola’s out-of-form aspect, despite the fact that it might show simpler stated than completed.
The Cherries have been a tough opponent for the Outdated Trafford giants recently, as most lately evidenced by a 4-4 attract December.
Vengeance time
Bournemouth are at present on their longest unbeaten streak in opposition to Man Utd, having averted defeat of their final 5 conferences within the Premier League (W2, D3), together with a pair of gorgeous 3-0 wins in Manchester.
Nevertheless, Iraola’s males head into proceedings amid a tough patch.
Along with drawing their final 4 league video games, the Cherries have misplaced key midfielder Tyler Adams to harm, as confirmed by Iraola within the build-up to this showdown.
In contrast to their hosts, United will take this journey in excessive spirits after successful three of their final 4 Premier League outings (L1) to cement their place because the division’s most in-form aspect.
Certainly, the Crimson Devils have amassed a league-high 23 factors in ten matches since parting methods with Ruben Amorim in early January, suggesting now could possibly be an ideal time to interrupt their drought on this fixture.
There’s little doubt {that a} victory on the Vitality Stadium would assist Man Utd distance themselves farther from their top-four rivals and keep a feel-good issue forward of the worldwide break.
Regardless of Bournemouth’s latest hunch, the guests can be naive to take something without any consideration, provided that they’ve received simply one among their final 4 Premier League visits to Boscombe (D2, L1).
Rivals in focus
Villa’s defeat at Outdated Trafford final weekend left them three factors adrift of Man Utd heading into the final eight rounds.
Extra importantly, Unai Emery’s males have now misplaced three consecutive league video games, considerably compromising their probabilities of securing a top-four end.
They are going to be determined to bounce again once they lock horns with relegation-threatened West Ham United at Villa Park on Sunday.
Nevertheless, fatigue might pose a menace to Villa’s efforts to get again on monitor, as they face Lille within the return leg of their Europa League knockout tie on Thursday.
Nothing of the kind will hassle defending champions Liverpool, who placed on a classic efficiency in a 4-0 rout of Galatasaray on Wednesday.
Arne Slot hailed his aspect’s ‘good’ win at Anfield, which propelled the Reds to the Champions League quarter-finals, however there’s no room for celebration.
Sitting two factors behind fourth-placed Villa, Liverpool can’t afford a slip-up in Saturday’s away conflict in opposition to resurgent Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Seagulls have clinched three victories of their final 4 league matches, whereas they’ve held the Merseyside giants winless in 4 of their 5 most up-to-date Premier League conferences on the Amex Stadium.
In stark distinction, Chelsea now must regroup after struggling a 3-0 residence defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, culminating in a crushing 8-2 mixture loss of their Champions League tie.
Liam Rosenior’s underperforming aspect face Everton on the highway on Saturday, desperately trying to flip their fortunes round after shedding twice of their final three league outings.
As issues stand, this could possibly be one other alternative for Man Utd to increase their cushion over their top-four rivals, offered they handle enterprise on the Vitality Stadium.
United are dwell on Sky Sports activities for tonight’s Friday evening fixture, with the sport out there to look at by way of soccer streams for these United followers outdoors the UK.
