Champions League, Europa League and Conference League spots are all still up for grabs as we enter the home stretch, and Bournemouth will have their eye on snagging a potential Conference League berth, whereas for United, it is all about getting back into Europe’s elite competition.
After the dissapointment of failing to beat Burnley, a win for Bournemouth could lift them temporarily into 8th, whilst Manchester United could stretch the gap back to Chelsea in 6th to as much as nine points.
Cherries need to convert draws into wins to break into Top 8 -
It is fair to say that Bournemouth are officially the **Premier League**’s ‘draw specialists’ - having drawn a staggering 14 of their 30 Premier League games so far, including five out of their last six and a run of four consecutive draws heading into this game.
As such, there may well be no bigger ‘What if?’ story this season if Bournemouth do miss out on Europe, as even two or three of those draws being converted into wins would have them in a commanding position.
With those below them faltering, it’s time for United to take advantage -
Having no European football and being knocked out of both cup competitions at the earliest possible stage can be considered positively disastrous for a club of **Manchester United**’s size and stature.
However, it may have come as a blessing in disguise for Interim boss Michael Carrick, who has had extended periods of time to rest and prepare for Premier League games whilst direct rivals are trying to balance with cup and European campaigns on top of league matters.
Following their victory over 4th place Aston Villa at Old Trafford, as well as Liverpool losing to Wolves and dropping points against Spurs and Chelsea’s home defeat to Newcastle, it seems increasingly more likely that United may be playing Champions League football again next season.
However, if Manchester United in recent seasons have taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected. There can be no let up for Carrick’s side and they will be desperate to take advantage of their favourable circumstances and return to Europe’s big time, starting with a win at the Vitality Stadium.
Goals Galore…or quite the opposite? -
The reverse fixture at Old Trafford back in December produced one of the games of the season, with Bournemouth coming from behind on three seperate occasions (as well as leading once) to salvage a point in a dramatic 4-4 draw thanks to Eli Junior Kroupi’s goal.
On that basis, another end-to-end thriller may well be predicted by many.
However, recent form and results for both sides suggest that this game may go the other way entirely and be a much lower-scoring affair.
In fact, Bournemouth have drawn three out of their last four games 0-0, and have only conceded more than once on two occasions in their last ten.
As for United, their remarkable turnaround under Carrick has been compounded by solid and consistent scoring, but also tightening up at the back, and big saves made by goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
United have only conceded more than one goal in a game once in their last six, that being the 90th minute goal from William Osula to hand Carrick his first defeat in a 2-1 loss against Newcastle.
With much to play for, this game could result in more of a chess match, or it could degenerate back into the carnage we saw before Christmas!