Premier League: back Burnley to keep it close against United

Manchester United’s disappointing season continued on Friday as they were dumped out of the FA Cup at home by Championship outfit Middlesbrough. 

The Red Devils’ chances of winning silverware this season are now restricted to the Champions League, while their immediate priority must be ensuring they return to that competition by finishing in the top four of the Premier League.

Ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Burnley, there is significant pressure on Ralf Rangnick’s side to get a victory. They are 1.62 to return to Old Trafford with three points, while a draw is on offer at 4.3. Meanwhile, the Premier League’s bottom side can be backed at 6.4.

5,000 up for Burnley

Burnley will play their 5,000th match in the Football League on Wednesday and remarkably they have only once lost six consecutive home fixtures against the same opponent. Defeat would double that tally, however.

Indeed, they have lost their last five home matches against their upcoming guests without scoring once. In their Premier League history, Robbie Blake’s winner in August 2009 is the only home goal they have netted against United.

Sean Dyche’s men currently lie at the foot of the Premier League standings with just one win from their 19 games. They do have the advantage of a handful of matches in hand against their major rivals after Covid issues over the winter period, but their position has them under pressure.

Man United manager Ralf Rangnick is under pressure after a series of unconvincing displays and an early FA Cup exit

Man Utd still seeking consistency

Manchester United, meanwhile, are fourth in the Premier League but have fallen well short of the title challenge that was expected of them when they signed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho in the summer.

The arrival of interim manager Rangnick in December has not had the desired impact on the club’s fortunes, with the FA Cup exit simply the latest in a number of setbacks.

United have won only two of their last five in the Premier League, including draws away against Newcastle and Aston Villa.

They do, however, have a formidable record against Burnley, winning nine of their last 14, including a 3-1 Old Trafford success as recently as December 30.

Expect a tight match

Man Utd are justifiably favourites to win, but equally they are not a side that can be trusted to do it with any degree of ease. Only one of Rangnick’s 12 fixtures has produced a victory by more than a single goal, suggesting that backing a dogged Burnley +1 on the Asian Handicap market at 1.83 offers good value.

Equally, a low-scoring match appears on the cards. Each of Burnley’s last two games have finished scoreless, while only two of Man Utd’s last eight have seen more than two goals scored.

With odds of 2.02 on offer for Under 2.5 goals, there is value here. Three goals have not been scored in this fixture in Premier League history – a run of seven games.

Recommended Bets

Asian Handicap: Burnley +1 @ 1.83
Under 2.5 goals @ 2.02