Bournemouth host Manchester United this weekend, with the Red Devils looking to pick up back-to-back wins for only the second time this season.
Despite riding their luck a little in their last game against Marco Silva’s Everton, with winger Bernard missing an open goal and United somewhat fortunate to have been awarded their first half penalty, Jose Mourinho’s side put in a much-improved performance against the Toffees, which lifted them to eighth in the Premier League table.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, have started the season like a house on fire, with the Cherries currently sitting pretty in sixth in the Premier League table, three points ahead of their visitors and seven better off on goal difference.
Read on for Bournemouth vs Manchester United live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats and TV channel info.
When is Bournemouth vs Manchester United?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Vitality Stadium
Date: Saturday, 3 November
Kick-off: 12:30 pm BST
Match preview
Despite the two sides being separated by just three points in the Premier League table, Saturday’s clash is a story of two clubs in very differing moods.
Even with their win over Everton last weekend, Manchester United have started this season under a very dark cloud with pressure mounting on Jose Mourinho after public squad disputes and a total lack of consistency.
The Red Devils have taken seven points from their last three Premier League games, though, and have looked energised in recent weeks. Their faster build-up play and Victor Lindelof’s sudden realisation that he is actually a decent defender have played a huge part in that.
Down on the south coast, things have been warm and cosy for Bournemouth. A 0-0 draw with Southampton aside, the Cherries have been taking their opponents apart and have scored 14 goals in their last six games in all competitions.
With Bournemouth progressing to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals this week and the likes of Josh King, Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser continuing to impress in attack, fans are starting to dream about this season being the one where Eddie Howe finally takes the club from Premier League underdogs to the bull in the ‘big six’ china shop.
Saturday’s clash with Manchester United is a huge test of those aspirations.
Where can I watch live?
Bournemouth vs Manchester United will be televised live in the UK on BT Sport 1, channel 413 for Sky customers and 531 for Virgin Media users.
BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
The game is also available to watch on fuboTV.
READ MORE: fuboTV Review & Guide – Everything you need to know
Is Anthony Martial finally fulfilling his potential?
Anthony Martial’s Manchester United career has been a very curious one.
Signed for £36m from Monaco back in 2015, the French international introduced himself to the Old Trafford faithful with a wonderful solo goal in Man United’s 3-1 win over Liverpool.
Since then, however, the winger has delivered both the mind-blowing and head-scratching in equal measure and the general feeling is that he is still holding back his true potential.
Contract talks and disputes with Man United boss Jose Mourinho have clouded over the start of this season but, in a strange twist of fate, this seems to have helped the 22-year-old harness the animal we all know resides inside him.
Martial has managed four goals in seven Premier League games so far this season – as many as Romelu Lukaku has managed in 14 games in all competitions.
Time will tell us whether this is just another moment in the sun or Martial finally unlocking his many talents but, given the siege that Jose Mourinho has been under this season, the Portuguese coach will happily reap the short-term benefits.
Can Bournemouth break into the top six?
As much as it is only ever meant as a compliment, Eddie Howe must be pretty sick of the ‘plucky little Bournemouth’ tag that his side keeps getting labelled with.
Yes, the Vitality Stadium only holds 11,360 people, comfortably the lowest capacity in the Premier League, and yes, the club were playing in League Two just eight years ago, but Bournemouth are now in their fourth top-flight season, finishing as high as ninth during that time.
The south coast side smashed their transfer record this summer, spending more than £25m to bring Colombian midfielder Jefferson Lerma to the club from Levante and Howe’s side have started the season in fine form, losing just two of their opening 10 games. They now find themselves just six points off the top of the league.
It might be a little presumptuous to say they can challenge the very top sides in the Premier League but, after an excellent start to the campaign, Bournemouth fans will undoubtedly be beginning to think ‘what if?’
Saturday’s clash with Manchester United will be a huge indicator of how far Howe can take his side this season.
Should Romelu Lukaku start?
Romelu Lukaku found himself in very unfamiliar territory against Everton on Sunday – the bench.
During that 2-1 victory over Everton, the Red Devils managed 10 shots on target, the joint-highest they have had in the Premier League this season.
Lukaku also managed to be caught offside twice in just 25 minutes of action, contributing to Man United’s seven offsides that day, the most they have had in the Premier League this season.
The Belgian sliced a header away from goal and, in all honesty, Man United’s play seemed much more laboured when he was on the pitch. The trio of Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were fluid, dynamic and kept Everton’s defence guessing throughout the afternoon.
It would be harsh to just keep lambasting Lukaku, who has been a prolific goalscorer throughout his career, but just four goals in 14 games this season isn’t good enough.
Whether it is a crisis in confidence or the player eyeing a move elsewhere this summer is irrelevant. Jose Mourinho needs in-form, hard-working players that suit his style of play and, on that basis, Lukaku may be the one to miss out again on Saturday.
Head-to-head
Saturday will bring about only the 15th meeting of Bournemouth and Manchester United, with the Red Devils largely dominating the fixture historically.
The Cherries’ only league victory over Man Utd came during their first-ever league meeting back in 2015 and Bournemouth have only taken one Premier League point from this fixture since.
That shouldn’t have any bearing on Saturday’s game, though, with Bournemouth looking slick, fast and threatening.
Bournemouth wins: 2 Draws: 3 Manchester United wins: 9
Team news
Eddie Howe will have to do without forward Josh King again this week, after the Cherries manager confirmed that this game has come too soon for the Norway man.
Captain Simon Francis faces a late fitness test, but Howe said staff are ‘quietly confident’ that he will be available.
Manchester United will be without Phil Jones, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Right-back Antonio Valencia and midfield destroyer Marouane Fellaini are both slight doubts with mouth and groin injuries respectively, but could be in line for a return.
Predicted Bournemouth XI: Begovic; Francis, S Cook, Ake; Smith, L Cook, Brooks, Daniels; King, Wilson, Fraser.
Predicted Manchester United XI: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Fred, Matic, Pogba; Mata, Rashford, Martial.
Predictions and betting tips
1. Over 3.5 goals @ 13/8
As previously mentioned, Bournemouth have been scoring goals for fun recently, while Manchester United seem to be turning a corner. Their front three of Mata, Rashford and Martial looked very fluid against Everton.
United haven’t been particularly inspiring in defence this season, while Bournemouth seem to go from water-tight to leaky from week-to-week. We’re expecting a goal-fest in this one.
Tip: Bournemouth vs Manchester United to have over 3.5 goals @ 13/8 with BetBull – bet here
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
2. Anthony Martial as the last goalscorer @ 5/1
Anthony Martial appears to be having a resurgence in form for Manchester United this season.
The Frenchman has four goals in seven Premier League games so far and provided the vital second goal in United’s 2-1 win over Everton last weekend.
When Martial does score, it tends to be decisive – 5/1 is a great price for him to do that once again on Saturday.
Tip: Anthony Martial to score last against Bournemouth @ 5/1 with BetBull – bet here
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
3. Callum Wilson anytime goalscorer @ 9/5
Just as Anthony Martial has rediscovered his form for Man United, Callum Wilson has really elevated his level for Bournemouth this season.
There has never been any doubt about the 26-year-old’s finishing ability or talent, but injury and inconsistency have often hampered his ability to find form in the Premier League.
Six goals in 12 games in all competitions and home advantage on Saturday may well give an edge to a player who is surely pushing for an England call-up now.
Tip: Callum Wilson to score at any time @ 9/5 with BetBull – bet here
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
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