The argument could be made that last week's win for Bournemouth on the road against Chelsea was the biggest win in its history.
The Cherries now have a shot to take out a second of the major teams in England, this time back on their home turf when they take on Manchester United.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Bournemouth +280
Manchester United +100 Draw +230
Over/Under 2.5 (over +105)
ODDS ANALYSIS
AFC Bournemouth is a big underdog in this match at +280 on the moneyline, but you can only imagine just how much worse things would've been had Chelsea beaten it 3-0 or something of the sorts last week. Now, the world is aware that the Cherries could be feisty even though they're right on the cusp of the relegation zone as we near the halfway point of the season.
Man U, a team which is only 4-2-2 on the road this year with just 11 goals in eight matches, is only even money to take all three points.
The total is essentially fairly average at 2.5 and -125 vig on the under.
KEY INJURIES
The options are still fairly limited right now for Louis van Gaal and his Red Devils. Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Wayne Rooney, Morgan Schneiderlin, Luke Shaw and Valencia are all dealing with injuries, and really only Schneiderlin is likely to be able to come back on the pitch in this match. That's causing United to use a particularly young lineup at this point.
The Cherries have a relatively heavy injury list right now as well. Sylvain Distin should be back this week after sitting out the Chelsea match with an illness. However, the news isn't as good about Callum Wilson, Marc Pugh, Tyrone Mings, Max Gradel, Tommy Elphick and Adam Fereici, all of which are expected to be unavailable on Saturday and perhaps for a good long while, too.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We tried to impose ourselves on Chelsea. We did that, we defended well, we were very good with the ball, countered well, and gave them problems. They made some changes, and the strength of their subs made a difference. But we didn't succumb to pressure, then our moment came from a set piece." – Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe on how the match against Chelsea was won at Stamford Bridge
RECENT FORM
That result over Chelsea really came out of nowhere for Bournemouth. It had drawn consecutive matches against Everton and Swansea, and its last win came back on September 19 against Sunderland. Still, those three points might prove to be incredibly valuable when push comes to shove if the Cherries have hopes for survival in their first ever season in the EPL.
Once again, offense is a big problem for Manchester United. The Red Devils didn't score against West Ham but did get away with a point, and that now marks three straight draw. The good news is that Man U hasn't been beaten since October 4. The bad news is that it hasn't won in three straight matches.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Van Gaal still has to find a way to get his offense together. We know that this is going to be a tactical match, and goals are going to be hard to come by.
That said, Bournemouth's back line isn't going to be able to keep a second straight clean sheet. Simon Francis, Charlie Daniels and Steve Cook at the back aren't really EPL caliber defenders, and both Federici and Artur Boruc have struggled mightily.
The Red Devils will get back in the win column, but it'll take a gritty effort to get the three points.
Manchester United 1, Bournemouth 0
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