The first Premier League fixture of this weekend, Manchester United at Bournemouth, now looks more compelling and interesting than most thought it would be when it was initially announced. Well, at least on paper anyway. Bournemouth have been better than most expected this season while United have been worse than most prognosticators would have anticipated.
The Cherries have outscored everyone in the table outside of the current top four this season while United have struggled. Should the visitors triumph here, it will be only the second time that they have achieved back to back wins in 2018-19 league play. Let’s take a look at the injury/fitness report for both sides.
Starting with United, defender Marcos Rojo has yet to feature for club or country this campaign, so don’t expect to see him in this one. Staying in back line, captain Antonio Valencia has been out of the lineup due to what manager Jose Mourinho has deemed “a complicated surgery on his mouth.” He’s been out of action since October 2.
Meanwhile midfielder Marouane Fellaini is expected to be in the mix again after being out inured for the last three competitions. Manager Jose Mourinho escaped a touchline ban, or any form of punishment at all, from the FA as he was cleared of all charges stemming from the Newcastle match last month.
Switching over to Bournemouth, striker Josh King is still dealing with an ankle that has kept him out of the last two Cherries matches. He faces a late fitness test in order to be available for this clash.
Bournemouth are undefeated in six home league matches this season (four wins, two draws), but their last home setback came at the hands of United; back in April.
Manchester United at Bournemouth FYIs
MUFC Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Jose Mourinho Press Conference Video, Quotes: go to this link
Kickoff: Saturday, November 3, 12:30 PM local, Dean Court
Odds via Betway: Bournemouth 13/5, Draw 5/2, United 21/20
Prediction: United 2, Bournemouth 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.