Manchester United vs Burnley: Betting Odds & Prediction
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Manchester United host relegation-threatened Burnley on Saturday as the away side look to clamour away from the dreaded relegation zone.
United secured a narrow 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season. Kick-off is set for 3pm UK time at Old Trafford.
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Manchester United
The hosts enter the match on the back of a back-and-forth 4-2 home victory over Sheffield United on Wednesday. Erik Ten Hag's side found themselves behind on two occasions before turning the game around, led by talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes.
United have been far from convincing at home this season, averaging just 1.81 points per game in 16 league outings at Old Trafford. The mid-week win was their third victory in five home matches though, while they also held title-chasing Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at the same venue earlier this month.
Scoring goals hasn't been a problem for the Red Devils, who have averaged 1.69 goals at home, and have failed to score in only three matches on home soil. Their main problem has been at the other end of the pitch, with United shipping an alarming 1.5 goals in front of their home fans. Only four of these fixtures have ended in a clean sheet, while nine have seen them concede at least two goals.
Burnley
Vincent Kompany's men have experienced a resurgence in form in recent weeks, losing just one of their last seven league matches. A 4-1 pummelling of Sheffield United further improved their survival prospects, but the improvements could have came too late for the Clarets who still find themselves 19th and three points adrift. They also have a significantly worse goal difference than Nottingham Forest in 17th.
Surprisngly, Burnley have performed better in their away fixtures than at Turf Moor. Kompany's side have still only averaged 0.76 points on their travels though, compared to a lowly 0.59 at home. An average of 1.18 goals scored is hardly a healthy return, but conceding goals has been by far their biggest problem.
An average of 2.03 goals conceded leaves them with the second-worst defensive record in the Premier League, with Burnley keeping just one clean sheet on the road so far. Ten of their away fixtures have seen them concede at least two goals.
Prediction
Neither side have been convincing at the back this season, but the home side look to have steadied the ship in fixtures at Old Trafford, despite a wobble to Sheffield United in mid-week. Burnley have certainly improved on their early-season form, but their tendency to concede on the road could again prove costly in this one.