Manchester United VS Cardiff City Match Prediction
2019-05-12
14:00:00
Manchester United
VS
Cardiff City
Our Prediction Tip
Manchester United will win this match.
2019-05-1214:00:00 Manchester United will win this match.
Manchester United’s 5-1 win in Cardiff in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first game in charge was their 15th in 30 previous meetings. Cardiff have won just seven matches in that time, and none in their three meetings since 1975. After a draw and a United win in Cardiff’s last season in the Premier League, this year Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard (two) helped seal a big United win. Victor Camarasa’s penalty had made it 2-1 at one point, but United stormed to a big away win.
Even if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does hand starts to the likes of Mason Greenwood and Tahith Chong, Manchester United are still expected to end the season with a home win.
Last weekend’s draw at relegated Huddersfield was the latest disappointment in a season full of them, but United can go into the summer with three points against a team they scored five past before Christmas.
That was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s game first game in charge and sparked a superb run of form around the turn of the year and United will hope to recapture some of that.
Cardiff are low on confidence after relegation was confirmed and also have just two wins in their last 11 games – like United – to ensure they head to Old Trafford firmly out of form.
Fortune has not favoured Cardiff in many ways this season, on and off the pitch, but the fact is they have not been good enough.
Even with United’s miserable form, it is hard to see the Bluebirds taking anything from this game at Old Trafford – their lack of goals being of most concern.
United could have Mason Greenwood and Tahith Chong to inject some excitement into their starting line-up and much is expected of both in the long-term.
In the short term, both – especially Greenwood – know where the back of the net is and can ensure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side end the season in a more positive mindset than they have endured for much of the year.
Even out of form, Manchester United are big odds-on favourites to beat Cardiff at a best price of 1/4 with Ladbrokes and 888sport.
With Cardiff short of goals all season, United can claim a clean sheet to end their own recent woes too – it has been long overdue – and a United win to nil is 13/10 with Ladbrokes.
Marcus Rashford opened the scoring when these sides last met, and he can be backed at a best price of 7/8 to score at any time again.
With both expected to feature, however, Mason Greenwood and Tahith Chong could be worth a look. Greenwood is 13/10 wit Bet365 to score at any time, while Chong is 21/10 with Betfair and Paddy Power.
Manchester United’s season, which promised so much after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge, has fizzled out with just two wins in the last 11 games. Youngsters could feature in this match against relegated Cardiff, but United are still expected to win at home.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopes to have Mason Greenwood fit to make an appearance on the final day, and there could be a few fringe players who feature. Romelu Lukaku and Eric Bailly are definitely out, as is goalkeeper Sergio Romero, and Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard are both doubts. Greenwood, Tahith Chong, Joe Garner and Lee O’Connor could all start.
Marcus Rashford – Opened the scoring in the reverse fixture, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s opened with a big win at Cardiff.
Paul Pogba – Some rumours suggest this could be his final Old Trafford appearance but, regardless, he has a big point to prove going into the summer.
Tahith Chong – Appeared from the bench against Huddersfield and the youngster could be set for another appearance, with plenty of excitement around his potential.
Back-to-back draws in their last two games means Manchester United have won just two of their last 11 matches. They last won at home to West Ham and have lost three and drawn two since. Juan Mata opened the scoring in their draw with Chelsea, while Scott McTominay scored early at Huddersfield Town, but both times United failed to hold the lead and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Cardiff could have Victor Camarasa and Harry Arter fit again for the final game of the season, though with relegation already confirmed there will be no reason to risk either if they are not fully fit. Sol Bamba, Matthew Connolly, Joe Ralls and Callum Paterson are all definitely ruled out.
Neil Etheridge – The Filipino goalkeeper has been excellent for Cardiff this season and will be key if they are to end the season by frustrating Manchester United.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing – Set up Bobby Reid’s late goal last weekend and, while it counted for nothing result-wise, it at least continued his little bit of recent form.
Bobby Reid – Scored his fifth goal of the season against Crystal Palace last weekend and needs one more to finish the campaign as outright top goalscorer.
Cardiff’s relegation back to the Championship has been confirmed after three consecutive defeats. They looked to have given themselves hope in the battle for survival when they beat Brighton 2-0, but a 2-0 loss to Liverpool followed before a 1-0 defeat to relegated Fulham. Last weekend, they suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to Crystal Palace – an own goal and Bobby Reid’s strike not enough to stop their run extending to just two wins in their last 11 games.
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