Manchester United vs Cardiff – Match Prediction & Preview

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Manchester United’s disappointing season will come to an end this Sunday in the final match of the 2018/19 Premier League. The Red Devils have already secured a UEFA Europa League spot, and they’ll take on an already-relegated Cardiff. Basically, this game won’t factor in either side’s plans and they’ll playing for nothing but their pride. Kick-off for this match at Old Trafford has been programmed at 15:00 BST.

Team News

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed several youngsters could make a first-team appearance for The Red Devils; the list includes James Garner, Dylan Levitt, Arnau Puigmal, Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes and Mason Greenwood; all of them were working with the senior group on Thursday. Eric Bailly has been ruled out, while Antonio Valencia could make a final first-team appearances. There are other players doubtful – the list includes Jesse Lingard, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Anthony Martial.

 

Meanwhile, Sol Bamba and Callum Peterson are both sidelined through injury. Joe Ralls (hamstring) and Matthew Connolly (dislocated ankle) will also miss Sunday’s game, however one player that could return is Victor Camarasa. Cardiff’s joint-top scorer suffered a dead leg, but will be a game-time decision for the final match of the season.

Form guide

Manchester United don’t have much to play for in this match. They already secured a UEFA Europa League berth, and the best they could do this weekend is to top Arsenal in fifth place. The Red Devils have not looked impressive of late, though. They stumbled to a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield the last time out, and their recent five-game form reads W1, D2, L2. They’re currently riding a four-game winless run, and will aim to end the campaign on a positive note.

On the other hand, Cardiff have already been relegated from the Premier League and they’re preparing to feature in the Championship next season. They’ll end the season in 18th place and there’s no question their overall form has been quite bad. The Welsh outfit own a W1, L4 mark in their last five league outings, and are currently riding a three-game losing streak. Can Manchester United take advantage of that?

What is our recent record against Cardiff City?

The Reds have faced the Bluebirds on 30 previous occasions in all competitions, winning exactly half of those encounters. We have also drawn eight games and lost seven times. Plus, United own a +16 goal differential against Cardiff with 60 scored and 44 conceded. These two sides met earlier this season in Ole’s debut, and Manchester United cruised their way to a 5-1 win thanks to goals from Jesse Lingard (twice), Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Predicted outcome

Manchester United want to end the season on a positive note, while Cardiff don’t have much to play for. Therefore, Solskjaer’s men shouldn’t have problems to win here, sending fans happy in the final match of the campaign.

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