Manchester United v Bournemouth: More goals for Zlatan

Manchester United v Bournemouth
Saturday, 12:30
Live On Sky Sports 1

Manchester United

Jose Mourinho's side will come into this match on a high, having lifted the League Cup last weekend.

United were under pressure for much of the match against an ambitious Southampton team, but showed their quality to win 3-2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the star of the show, scoring twice, including the winner.

Ibrahimovic may have come to Old Trafford with a massive reputation, but the level of influence he's had this season has still come as something of a surprise. He's already scored 26 goals in 38 games this season, which is a phenomenal statistic for a 35-year old. That includes 13 cup appearances, which are the sort of games you might have expected Ibrahimovic to sit out.

While Ibrahimovic will be leading the line against Bournemouth, a couple of his colleagues could miss out. Phil Jones and Henrikh Mkhitarayan are both doubts with injuries.

Bournemouth

Only four points now separate Bournemouth from the relegation zone, as they prepare to go into the lions den against Manchester United.

Bournemouth are now without a win from their last seven Premier League games and also lost to Millwall in the FA Cup during this run. Turning round such a slump is a big test of Eddie Howe's abilities, with his side looking particularly porous in defence.

Howe's job will not be made easier for the fact that he will be without Adam Federici, Simon Francis and Callum Wilson for the trip to Manchester, while Jordon Ibe is also a doubt.

Ref Watch

Kevin Friend will officiate. On the last occasion he refereed a Manchester United home match - their League Cup game against Hull - he only showed one yellow card.

Match Odds

Manchester United are the 1.28 favourites, with the draw at 6.40 and Bournemouth way out at 14.00.

A home win seems a certainty given the respective form of both sides. United have won their last two home games without conceding and the odds of 1.95 for them to Win To Nil are worth considering.

So too is the 2.60 for United to Win Both Halves, but a safer bet is the 1.82 for them to win Half-Time/Full-Time, as have been the case in five of their last six games.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Over 2.5 goals is the favourite at 1.65, with unders at 2.44.

Though firmly odds-on, the price for overs actually seems quite generous. This may be because United can sometimes be a little shot shy at home, but with Bournemouth having conceded at least twice in each of their last eight games, three goals or more seems likely to land.

To Score

Unsurprisingly Ibrahimovic leads the way at a price of just 1.62. A better value bet is the 3.40 for him to be First Goalscorer, as has been the case in two of the last three matches he's started.

Recommended Bets

Back Manchester United to win half-time/full-time at 1.82
Back over 2.5 goals at 1.65
Back Zlatan Ibrahimovic to score first at 3.40