Surprise package Burnley will be looking to cause an upset on Boxing Day as they visit second-placed Manchester United at Old Trafford. Last season Burnley secured a goalless draw in Manchester before losing 2-0 to the Red Devils at home. Manchester United have won three of the last six direct matches, while Burnley have collected one win and a pair of goalless draws.
Manchester United had a terrible week before Christmas, first they lost 2-1 to Championship side Bristol City in the League Cup quarter-finals and then they got punished by a stoppage-time goal in a 2-2 draw at Leicester City. Leaders Manchester City are now 13 points ahead and it seems quite unlikely that Jose Mourinho's men will be able to fight for the title this season. Chris Smalling picked up an injury during the Leicester match and he should be unavailable for Tuesday's game.
Burnley have been performing above all expectations this season, they are in 7th place after 19 Premier League matches and just three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool. Moreover, they have lost just two of their nine away matches so far this season. However, last week they lost 3-0 at home to Tottenham after a run of three matches without defeat. James Tarkowski is suspended, while striker Chris Wood got injured in last week's match.
Probable line-ups:
Man United: De Gea - Lindelof, Jones, Rojo, Shaw - Matic, Pogba - Mata, Lingard, Rashford - Lukaku
Burnley: Pope - Lowton, Mee, Long, Taylor - Gudmundsson, Cork, Defour, Wells - Hendrick - Barnes
My prediction: 1-1 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Man United win - 1.25
Draw - 6.50
Burnley win - 15.00
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