Premier League: Can Burnley Make their Point at Old Trafford?

Manchester United vs Burnley

Manchester United welcome Burnley to Old Trafford on Sunday in a clash which promises to provide passion, action, no little quality and probably some goals!

Only 20 miles separates Burnley from Manchester but, despite plying their trade in the same division, there is a world of difference between the Red Devils and the Clarets. The hosts have been one of Europe’s top clubs for decades, during a period when Burnley climbed through the four leagues to arrive in the Premier League just over a decade ago.

The small mill town club punches above its weight and has a team with a smattering of internationals and the confidence to take on the very best, as the Red Devils know all too well. But current form is in the hosts’ favour and they should have too much quality for their combative visitors.

Arguably the Red Devils have less to play for while the Clarets would love to make a point. Manchester United are safely in the top four places and Burnley should have enough to extend their stay in the Premier League, but they are not safe yet.

Talking Points

Less Red at Old Trafford is United’s latest plan

Old Trafford has been one of the most feared venues in English football for many a season, though less so during this campaign and that might be something to do with the empty stadia. The SBOTOP odds say the Red Devils should win this clash at odds of 1.33 but Burnley will try to take comfort from the fact that Manchester United’s four defeats this season have all come at home.

Away from Old Trafford Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have been immense and last week the Red Devils took revenge over Spurs with a 3-1 win as Fred, Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood were on target to avenge a 1-6 drubbing at the hands of the Whites early in the season.

Manchester United look to maintain their stronghold on the 2nd spot against a rugged Burnley side in Premier League — Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring Manchester United’s second goal against Tottenham Hotspur

This week OGS announced that some black banners have been placed over the red seats at Old Trafford as his players have complained that they have sometimes struggled to pick out their team-mates against a red background; and that might explain their four defeats. It would have been easier for the players to change their shirts surely!

Either way, the Red Devils have been in superb form recently and should be too good for Burnley. Bruno Fernandes has been United’s stand out player, with the most shots (95), most goals (16) and most assists (11), but it’s the re-emergence of midfield enigma Paul Pogba which has given United more menace.

Will Burnley revert to type?

The Clarets haven’t been in a relegation battle during their last five seasons in the top flight, but a poor start to this season left them on one point from the opening seven games, but as key players returned Burnley’s Premier League 2021 results picked up and they climbed out of the bottom three and moved away from danger. Two defeats since the international break have left nervous fans looking over their shoulders, but with a seven point gap and Premier League 2021 betting odds of 13.00 to take the drop, the Clarets should have a panic free close to the campaign.

They probably need one more win or a couple of draws from their final seven games and head coach Sean Dyche would rather get the job done sooner rather than later.

The Clarets have become renowned for their ability to defend like tigers and strike like a cobra, but in recent weeks they have been more expansive, dominating games and attacking with some flair, but holes have started to appear at the back.

Top scorer Chris Wood, with seven goals, has forged a fine partnership wit Matej Vydra, but the Clarets have lost the last two games against Southampton and Newcastle after being ahead, 2-0 and 1-0. Dyche might let his players continue to play with this freedom, but if they do go ahead again, maybe they’ll go back to defending with two dense banks of four.

opacity 0

CLICK HERE
TO SEE UPDATED ODDS

Serie A

History

Manchester United have had the better of their opponents in this fixture, winning eight of the last 14 games, drawing four and losing just two.

United haven’t had it all their own way though. The Red Devils won a tight game at Turf Moor in January when Pogba scored a late winner with the help of a deflection. And the Clarets have enjoyed some success at Old Trafford over recent seasons drawing 2-2 in the 2018/19 season and winning 2-0 last term as Wood and Jay Rodriguez put their hosts to the sword.

Betting Tip

	Manchester Unietd vs Burnley	Burnley Asian Handicap +1.50 @ 1.83
	April 18, 23:00 (GMT+8)

With the Red Devils hot favourites to win this game you can get a price of 8.20 on Burnley grabbing another win at Old Trafford or 4.65 for the draw.

Neither is likely and I expect the hosts to win, but don’t be surprised to see the Clarets score in a well contested match.