Two teams battling to finish in the Champions League places come face to face at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon as Manchester United host Aston Villa.
Both sides are locked on 51 points each, with United only ahead of Villa on goal difference, but Chelsea and Liverpool are only three points behind them in fifth and sixth respectively.
As such, it is set to be a thrilling race for the Champions League spots come the business end of the season, and a win here for either United or Villa would boost their hopes here hugely.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below using odds from bet365, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our free expert Premier League predictions!
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Manchester United vs Aston Villa key stats
- United are on a four-game winning streak on home soil.
- Villa are winless in three league matches (D1, L2).
- United have also won the previous four H2Hs at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa preview: Red Devils to down Villans?
| Man Utd | vs | Aston Villa |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | Position | 4th |
| 51 | Points | 51 |
| 51 | Goals For | 39 |
| 40 | Goals Against | 34 |
| 5 | Clean Sheets | 8 |
| 3rd | Home Rank | 4th |
| 7th | Away Rank | 6th |
United seem to be completely revitalised since the departure of Ruben Amorim, as they were knocked out of both competitions at the earliest possible opportunity, including a humiliating defeat at League Two Grimsby Town, under the Portuguese manager.
They were also off the pace in the Premier League, with only a slight improvement on their dismal 15th-placed finish from last season.
The last four H2Hs have seen three or fewer goals scored.
However, since Michael Carrick took interim charge, the Red Devils look like a fresh team with new life, and are now among the favourites to qualify for the Champions League.
With a tired Villa also playing in Europe in midweek, United could have too much for them at Old Trafford.
In fairness to Unai Emery's side, they did beat Lille 1-0 in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash away from home, but that was their first victory in five matches in all competitions (D1, L3).
Man Utd have won six of their eight games under Michael Carrick.
After such a bright first half of the campaign where they were even talked about as potential title contenders, Villa's slump in form has seen them reduced to a top-five battle.
Fifth place should yield Champions League football for next season given England's strong coefficient, but after a poor performance from Premier League sides in Europe in their respective first legs in where Villa were the only victors, it is not guaranteed.
The Villans have a tough task ahead of them here, and a defeat could even see them drop as low as sixth, a position they have not been in for a lot of the season, if other results do not go their way.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa form guide & betting tips
| Man Utd | vs | Aston Villa |
|---|---|---|
| W-D-W-W-L | League Form | D-W-D-L-L |
| 10 | Points | 5 |
| 3rd | Form Table | 16th |
| 7 | Goals For | 4 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 8 |
| W-D-W-W-L | Form (all comps) | L-D-L-L-W |
Best bookie to bet on Man Utd vs Aston Villa – bet365
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Whispers predicts: Manchester United 2-1 Aston Villa
Given their superior form and home advantage, it is no surprise to see United installed as 7/10 favourites with bet365 to win the game.
However, while we are also backing them to emerge victorious, we want to explore potential value in the market.
An interesting stat is that United have been held goalless at HT in three of their previous four matches, so Under 0.5 1st half goals at 12/5 is worth a punt to us.
Extending that to total goals, Under 3.5 goals at 6/5 could come in if our 2-1 score prediction at 12/5 also comes through.
In terms of potential goalscorers, Matheus Cunha has scored in each of his previous three appearances against Villa, and so Matheus Cunha to score anytime at 8/5 is also worth backing.
> Under 3.5 goals at 6/5 | Likelihood: Probable
> Matheus Cunha to score anytime at 8/5 | Likelihood: Possible
> Under 0.5 1st half goals at 12/5 | Likelihood: Possible