English Premier

2026-03-20 - Bournemouth vs Manchester United

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Bournemouth v Manchester United
Football: English Premier League
Friday 20th March 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV

Bournemouth

Andoni Iraola has tried to calm things around his contract situation as manager of Bournemouth and he has stated that a decision on his future is going to be made 'sooner than later'. Despite the contract running out in the summer, the squad have continued to play as hard as possible for the manager and Bournemouth do have a big opportunity to push into the European places in front of them.

Recent results have not been the most impressive, although Bournemouth feel pretty disappointed that they have not been able to turn a few draws into wins either due to wasteful finishing or poor officiating. The Cherries are 10th in the Premier League table and 4 points behind Brentford in the top seven, but they have been the draw specialists of the top flight and need to change that. They have a 6-7-2 record at the Vitality Stadium where Bournemouth have scored 21 goals and conceded 15.

Bournemouth are unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions in normal time, but they have drawn 5 of the last 6 Premier League games, including the last 4 in a row. The lack of goals has been an issue with 3 of those 4 stalemates ending in goalless draws, including back to back fixtures against Brentford and Burnley. Bournemouth have lost 1 of the last 8 home Premier League games, but the last 3 here have all ended in draws.

Tyler Adams is a doubt, while both Lewis Cook and Justin Kluivert are hoping to be available after the next international break.

Manchester United

Michael Carrick may not have been very happy with the opening 45 minutes last Sunday and not many of the Manchester United fans would have been impressed, but it turned into a very strong weekend for the team. Battling to a 3-1 win over Champions League rivals Aston Villa saw Manchester United bounce back from a defeat at St James' Park, while other top four rivals Chelsea and Liverpool both dropped points last weekend too.

They may remain in 3rd place in the Premier League table, but Manchester United are now 6 points clear of Chelsea in 6th place and will be looking to keep the pressure on The Blues and rivals Liverpool by playing first this weekend. The side have a 5-6-4 away record in the Premier League where they have scored and conceded 24 goals.

Manchester United have only lost 1 of 9 Premier League games played under Michael Carrick, but most important is the fact they have won 7 times in that run. There has been little wrong with the home form, but Manchester United have not scored more than a single goal in each of the last 3 away Premier League games at West Ham United, Everton and Newcastle United and picked up 4 points from a possible 9.

Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu are all expected to miss out. Benjamin Sesko once again scored coming off the bench and will be pushing for a start.

Head to Head

A remarkable game in December finished 4-4 at Old Trafford when Manchester United hosted Bournemouth.

Manchester United have a poor recent home record against Bournemouth, but they are unbeaten in 3 trips to the Vitality Stadium even if the last 2 have ended in draws.

Prediction

The Premier League weekend begins on Friday night this week and Bournemouth host Manchester United in what could be a good football match.

Andoni Iraola has been frustrated with some of the decisions that have worked against his team in the last couple of fixtures, but he will also be aware that his Bournemouth team have lacked composure in the final third.

There has been nothing wrong with the quality of chances being created, although the likes of Sunderland and Burnley have created good openings against the Bournemouth defence.

The manager is one that will want his Bournemouth team to get forward and impose themselves on this fixture, which will mean leaving some spaces open if teams turn the ball over very quickly. Andoni Iraola has to be happy with the positions his team have gotten into and they can hurt Manchester United, although the attacking players will need to have packed the right shooting boots.

At the same time, Manchester United are not going to be taking a backwards step with the attacking players at Michael Carrick's disposal and this is a team that picked up a big three points last Sunday.

Playing away from Old Trafford has been more challenging with mixed performances in the final third, but Manchester United will have seen how successful opponents have been going at Bournemouth and they will want to get forward.

A key to the outcome of the game is going to be in-form Bruno Fernandes who has continued to inspire Manchester United in the final third.

He has been handing out Assists for fun since moving back into a more natural position on the field and Bruno Fernandes still gets into solid shooting spots.

Backing the Portuguese playmaker, and arguably favourite for Player of the Year, to have a Shot on Target in this match is a big price and combining that with the game featuring at least two goals produces a similar price to the Manchester United win.

The away win looks short considering the mixed performances produced since Michael Carrick came in, while Bournemouth are incredibly dangerous at home.

A draw cannot be ruled out considering that has been the favourite Bournemouth result this season and the last 2 between these teams at the Vitality Stadium have also ended with the points shared- both have been in score draws and so there should be goals considering the chances that both teams can create in the final third with Bruno Fernandes likely to be a key figure throughout the evening.

The 'Sub Play On' keeps the bet alive even if Bruno Fernandes does not complete the full ninety minutes and that looks the best way to get involved on Friday evening.