Manchester United and Burnley are set to face-off at Old Trafford on Sunday in what used to be an awkward fixture for the hosts lately.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are on the cusp of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League as they head into proceedings holding a nine-point lead in the Premier League table on fifth-placed Chelsea.
On the other hand, Burnley’s hopes of avoiding relegation have suffered minor setbacks lately, but they are still seven points clear of 18th-placed Fulham.
Manchester United Preview
The Red Devils have hit the purple patch following a disastrous 2-1 home loss to basement boys Sheffield United on Matchday 20, going unbeaten in 11 subsequent Premier League games (W6, D5). You can sign up and start to bet on United continuing their unbeaten run, as the bookmakers have them as heavy favourites for this fixture, as well as the betting favourites to finish second in the league table.
Only last weekend, United staged another breathtaking second-half comeback to beat Tottenham 3-1 in London, which means they have now won more points from losing positions than any other English side this season (28).
Coming into this fixture, the Old Trafford outfit have racked up a four-match winning streak in the Premier League and can now win five in a row for the first time since Solskjaer’s six-game winning start to his managerial career in Manchester.
Worryingly, though, United have failed to outscore Burnley in four successive Premier League meetings at home (D3, L1) since a 3-1 win in February 2015.
Winning the first half will boost the home side’s hopes of ending their barren run against Clarets, considering they have won 85.71% of the league matches in which they were in front at half-time this term (W6, D1).
Burnley Preview
The visitors spurned a half-time lead to succumb to a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United last time out, meaning they have lost back-to-back Premier League games after breaking the deadlock.
Each of Burnley’s last five league matches has seen both teams on the scoresheet after five of their previous seven in the competition witnessed one or both sides fail to find the back of the net.
The Clarets’ recent away form has been nothing if not inconsistent, with Sean Dyche’s men alternating triumph (three) and reverse (four) across their last seven Premier League trips.
A lack of capacity to bounce back after falling behind has seen the Turf Moor outfit lose all six away league fixtures in which they conceded first this season.
Curiously, though, both of Burnley’s last two Premier League victories have come on the road, a run that kicked off in late January.
Team News
Manchester United
Out: Anthony Martial, Phil Jones.
Doubts: Eric Bailly
Burnley
Out: Robbie Brady, Kevin Long, Ashley Barnes.
Doubts: Nick Pope, Jay Rodriguez.
Predicted Line-ups
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Dean Henderson, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, Fred, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani
Burnley (4-4-2): Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Matthew Lowton, James Tarkowski, Ben Mee, Erik Pieters, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Ashley Westwood, Josh Brownhill, Dwight McNeil, Matej Vydra, Chris Wood
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