Premier League Regular Season - 31

Bournemouth vs NS Manchester United

Vitality Stadium

Match Preview

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
79
Bournemouth
vs
Manchester United
Fri, Mar 20 • 20:00
⚡ Form 62
⚖️ Balance 100
🏆 Stakes 56
⭐ Stars 82
Bournemouth's resilience tests United's firepower.

United's Top-Four Credentials Face a South Coast Examination

Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 79/100. A phenomenal clash of styles awaits as United's attacking arsenal meets one of the league's most stubborn, draw-heavy defensive setups.

The Setup

March 20, 2026, brings a fascinating Premier League encounter to the Vitality Stadium. Manchester United arrive sitting comfortably in third place with 51 points, chasing Champions League qualification and hunting down the top two. However, navigating a trip to face a resilient Bournemouth side is no easy task. The Cherries currently sit ninth and have turned into draw specialists, boasting a recent Form rating that underscores their refusal to be beaten.

The numbers behind this fixture suggest a highly entertaining evening. An off-the-charts Balance score points to a contest that is far more evenly matched than the league table might imply. With modest Stakes on the line for the mid-table hosts, the pressure is entirely on the visitors to dictate the tempo and break down the home resistance.

Key Battle

The match will likely be decided by a compelling duel between Bournemouth's shot-stopper Đorđe Petrović and United's creative maestro Bruno Fernandes. Petrović has been an absolute wall, racking up 16 saves and two clean sheets over his last five outings. He will need every ounce of that awareness to shut down Fernandes, who has directly contributed to four goals in his last five games. High Stars ratings on both sides mean individual brilliance could unlock this stubborn defense at any moment.

Our Prediction

United will dominate possession, but Bournemouth's compact structure will frustrate them for long periods. Expect a tight, hard-fought affair where the visitors eventually find a breakthrough late in the second half. We back Manchester United to edge a 2-1 victory, relying on their individual quality to snatch all three points.

Key Questions

Should I watch this match?

Yes. Extremely high Balance and Stars ratings guarantee a tight, compelling tactical battle full of individual quality.

What's the predicted outcome?

Manchester United should narrowly take it 2-1, eventually breaking down a stubborn home defense late on.

Where are Bournemouth and Manchester United in the league table?

United sit 3rd with 51 points chasing the title race, while Bournemouth sit comfortably in 9th with 40 points.

What is Bournemouth's current form?

Bournemouth are incredibly tough to beat right now, registering a gritty DDDWD run in their last five matches.

Who is the in-form player to watch?

Benjamin Šeško is flying for Manchester United, netting 3 goals in his last 5 matches with a solid 7.0 rating.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
31/07/2025 Manchester United 4 - 1 Bournemouth Premier League - Summer Series Soldier Field
27/04/2025 Bournemouth 1 - 1 Manchester United Premier League Vitality Stadium
22/12/2024 Manchester United 0 - 3 Bournemouth Premier League Old Trafford
13/04/2024 Bournemouth 2 - 2 Manchester United Premier League Vitality Stadium
09/12/2023 Manchester United 0 - 3 Bournemouth Premier League Old Trafford
20/05/2023 Bournemouth 0 - 1 Manchester United Premier League Vitality Stadium
03/01/2023 Manchester United 3 - 0 Bournemouth Premier League Old Trafford
04/07/2020 Manchester United 5 - 2 Bournemouth Premier League Old Trafford
02/11/2019 Bournemouth 1 - 0 Manchester United Premier League Vitality Stadium
30/12/2018 Manchester United 4 - 1 Bournemouth Premier League Old Trafford, Manchester
31/07/2025
Premier League - Summer Series Soldier Field
27/04/2025
Premier League Vitality Stadium
22/12/2024
Premier League Old Trafford
13/04/2024
Premier League Vitality Stadium
09/12/2023
Premier League Old Trafford
20/05/2023
Premier League Vitality Stadium
03/01/2023
Premier League Old Trafford
04/07/2020
Premier League Old Trafford
02/11/2019
Premier League Vitality Stadium
30/12/2018
Premier League Old Trafford, Manchester
Bournemouth Win
Manchester United Win
Draw

Season Statistics

9
League Position
3
40
Points
51
44
Goals Scored
50
46
Goals Conceded
38

League Standings

League Standings

Pos Team P Pts GF GA GD Form
1 Arsenal 30 67 59 22 +37 WBrighton 0 - 1 Arsenal (04-03-2026)WArsenal 2 - 1 Chelsea (01-03-2026)WTottenham 1 - 4 Arsenal (22-02-2026)DWolves 2 - 2 Arsenal (18-02-2026)DBrentford 1 - 1 Arsenal (12-02-2026)
2 Manchester City 29 60 59 27 +32 DManchester City 2 - 2 Nottingham Forest (04-03-2026)WLeeds 0 - 1 Manchester City (28-02-2026)WManchester City 2 - 1 Newcastle (21-02-2026)WManchester City 3 - 0 Fulham (11-02-2026)WLiverpool 1 - 2 Manchester City (08-02-2026)
3 Manchester United 29 51 51 40 +11 LNewcastle 2 - 1 Manchester United (04-03-2026)WManchester United 2 - 1 Crystal Palace (01-03-2026)WEverton 0 - 1 Manchester United (23-02-2026)DWest Ham 1 - 1 Manchester United (10-02-2026)WManchester United 2 - 0 Tottenham (07-02-2026)
4 Aston Villa 29 51 39 34 +5 LAston Villa 1 - 4 Chelsea (04-03-2026)LWolves 2 - 0 Aston Villa (27-02-2026)DAston Villa 1 - 1 Leeds (21-02-2026)WAston Villa 1 - 0 Brighton (11-02-2026)DBournemouth 1 - 1 Aston Villa (07-02-2026)
5 Chelsea 29 48 53 34 +19 WAston Villa 1 - 4 Chelsea (04-03-2026)LArsenal 2 - 1 Chelsea (01-03-2026)DChelsea 1 - 1 Burnley (21-02-2026)DChelsea 2 - 2 Leeds (10-02-2026)WWolves 1 - 3 Chelsea (07-02-2026)
6 Liverpool 29 48 48 39 +9 LWolves 2 - 1 Liverpool (03-03-2026)WLiverpool 5 - 2 West Ham (28-02-2026)WNottingham Forest 0 - 1 Liverpool (22-02-2026)WSunderland 0 - 1 Liverpool (11-02-2026)LLiverpool 1 - 2 Manchester City (08-02-2026)
7 Brentford 29 44 44 40 +4 DBournemouth 0 - 0 Brentford (03-03-2026)WBurnley 3 - 4 Brentford (28-02-2026)LBrentford 0 - 2 Brighton (21-02-2026)DBrentford 1 - 1 Arsenal (12-02-2026)WNewcastle 2 - 3 Brentford (07-02-2026)
8 Everton 29 43 34 33 +1 WEverton 2 - 0 Burnley (03-03-2026)WNewcastle 2 - 3 Everton (28-02-2026)LEverton 0 - 1 Manchester United (23-02-2026)LEverton 1 - 2 Bournemouth (10-02-2026)WFulham 1 - 2 Everton (07-02-2026)
9 Bournemouth 29 40 44 46 -2 DBurnley 0 - 0 Bournemouth (14-03-2026)DBournemouth 0 - 0 Brentford (03-03-2026)DBournemouth 1 - 1 Sunderland (28-02-2026)DWest Ham 0 - 0 Bournemouth (21-02-2026)WEverton 1 - 2 Bournemouth (10-02-2026)
10 Fulham 29 40 40 43 -3 LFulham 0 - 1 West Ham (04-03-2026)WFulham 2 - 1 Tottenham (01-03-2026)WSunderland 1 - 3 Fulham (22-02-2026)LManchester City 3 - 0 Fulham (11-02-2026)LFulham 1 - 2 Everton (07-02-2026)
11 Sunderland 29 40 30 34 -4 LSunderland 0 - 1 Brighton (14-03-2026)WLeeds 0 - 1 Sunderland (03-03-2026)DBournemouth 1 - 1 Sunderland (28-02-2026)LSunderland 1 - 3 Fulham (22-02-2026)LSunderland 0 - 1 Liverpool (11-02-2026)
12 Newcastle 29 39 42 43 -1 WNewcastle 2 - 1 Manchester United (04-03-2026)LNewcastle 2 - 3 Everton (28-02-2026)LManchester City 2 - 1 Newcastle (21-02-2026)WTottenham 1 - 2 Newcastle (10-02-2026)LNewcastle 2 - 3 Brentford (07-02-2026)
13 Crystal Palace 29 38 33 35 -2 WTottenham 1 - 3 Crystal Palace (05-03-2026)LManchester United 2 - 1 Crystal Palace (01-03-2026)WCrystal Palace 1 - 0 Wolves (22-02-2026)LCrystal Palace 2 - 3 Burnley (11-02-2026)WBrighton 0 - 1 Crystal Palace (08-02-2026)
14 Brighton 29 37 38 36 +2 WSunderland 0 - 1 Brighton (14-03-2026)LBrighton 0 - 1 Arsenal (04-03-2026)WBrighton 2 - 1 Nottingham Forest (01-03-2026)WBrentford 0 - 2 Brighton (21-02-2026)LAston Villa 1 - 0 Brighton (11-02-2026)
15 Leeds 29 31 37 48 -11 LLeeds 0 - 1 Sunderland (03-03-2026)LLeeds 0 - 1 Manchester City (28-02-2026)DAston Villa 1 - 1 Leeds (21-02-2026)DChelsea 2 - 2 Leeds (10-02-2026)WLeeds 3 - 1 Nottingham Forest (06-02-2026)
16 Tottenham 29 29 39 46 -7 LTottenham 1 - 3 Crystal Palace (05-03-2026)LFulham 2 - 1 Tottenham (01-03-2026)LTottenham 1 - 4 Arsenal (22-02-2026)LTottenham 1 - 2 Newcastle (10-02-2026)LManchester United 2 - 0 Tottenham (07-02-2026)
17 Nottingham Forest 29 28 28 43 -15 DManchester City 2 - 2 Nottingham Forest (04-03-2026)LBrighton 2 - 1 Nottingham Forest (01-03-2026)LNottingham Forest 0 - 1 Liverpool (22-02-2026)DNottingham Forest 0 - 0 Wolves (11-02-2026)LLeeds 3 - 1 Nottingham Forest (06-02-2026)
18 West Ham 29 28 35 54 -19 WFulham 0 - 1 West Ham (04-03-2026)LLiverpool 5 - 2 West Ham (28-02-2026)DWest Ham 0 - 0 Bournemouth (21-02-2026)DWest Ham 1 - 1 Manchester United (10-02-2026)WBurnley 0 - 2 West Ham (07-02-2026)
19 Burnley 29 19 32 58 -26 DBurnley 0 - 0 Bournemouth (14-03-2026)LEverton 2 - 0 Burnley (03-03-2026)LBurnley 3 - 4 Brentford (28-02-2026)DChelsea 1 - 1 Burnley (21-02-2026)WCrystal Palace 2 - 3 Burnley (11-02-2026)
20 Wolves 30 16 22 52 -30 WWolves 2 - 1 Liverpool (03-03-2026)WWolves 2 - 0 Aston Villa (27-02-2026)LCrystal Palace 1 - 0 Wolves (22-02-2026)DWolves 2 - 2 Arsenal (18-02-2026)DNottingham Forest 0 - 0 Wolves (11-02-2026)