There will be some nervous spectators at Old Trafford on the final day of the English Premier League season. Manchester United will need three points and a lot of help if it's to get into the Champions League next year, and this match with Bournemouth is one packed with pressure as a result.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Manchester United -294
Bournemouth +800
Draw +375
Over/Under 2.5 (over -149)
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Red Devils still aren't guaranteed anything yet in terms of European soccer next year. Lose this match, and the team could slip as low as seventh if both West Ham and Southampton win. Those results would require Manchester United to need to win the FA Cup next week against Crystal Palace to get into the Europa Cup for next season.
However, it should be noted that the more realistic result would see Louis van Gaal's side taking the maximum three points from this fixture. The win would ensure a finish of no worse than fifth, and that coupled with a Manchester City loss would put the Red Devils into that crucial fourth place.
United is a -294 favorite, effectively lining it as a goal and a half favorite on the Asian Handicap.
The total has to be relatively high at 2.5 and -150 vig on the over.
KEY INJURIES
Manchester United will head into the final day of the season without a few key players. Marouane Fellaini has been suspended for this match, while all of William Keane, Luke Shaw and Bastian Schweinsteiger are out injured. Matteo Darmian has an ankle problem and is questionable for this most crucial match.
Bournemouth, a team which should be thrilled just to be staying up in the top flight in its first season in the Premier League, will look to play the role of spoiler without the services of Adam Smith, Tyrone Mings or Sylvain Distin.
LIVE BETTING
Eddie Howe's side has been plenty lively at the end of this season. The Cherries have scored at least once in five straight matches after going through a bit of a goal scoring swoon at the end of March and into April. They've only managed a 1-2-2 record in those five fixtures though, proof that they really need to clean up their defense. Live bettors certainly won't like the prospects of them holding United off the board. Bournemouth's last clean sheet came way back on May 1.
Manchester United will likely rue the day it let a 2-1 lead slip away against West Ham in the final match ever at Boleyn Ground. The Red Devils dropped three crucial points from that affair, and with that game punted, they now are really at the mercy of Manchester City to determine their fate for the UCL next season.
That shouldn't spoil the general form United has been in, though. That loss was United's first since getting crushed at White Hart Lane 3-0 on April 10. The team was 5-1-0 in its previous six matches.
QUICK PICK
Anthony Martial really came on strong at the end of this soccer season, and he was flat out awesome for Manchester United against West Ham. He scored both of the team's goals and was creative from the get go on an otherwise uninspired day from the visitors.
Bournemouth would love to play the role of spoiler here, but we just can't see it slowing down Martial when he gets going down the wing. Of late, Steve Cook and Charlie Daniels have been abused out wide in the back, and that's left Artur Boruc in a lot of tough spots to try to defend.
The over is over favorite play for sure, but we do think the Red Devils will figure out how to get enough goals to at least keep the pressure on City.
English Premier League Odds: Manchester United 4, Bournemouth 2
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between Manchester United and Bournemouth will take place at 10:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Old Trafford. The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network.
