Manchester United vs. Burnley – English Premier League, April 18, 2021

Even if Manchester United wins this one, it will still be eight points behind its crosstown rivals and without a realistic chance of taking the EPL title this season.

The campaign has been a definite improvement. Even the added excursion of a successfully negotiated Europa League quarterfinal in the week should not stop it from getting the better of Burnley on Sunday.

Manchester United always seems to have a suspect side that allows for a surprise result every now and then.

However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has put together a mostly competent squad, and the long odds from BetOnline for a Burnley win are not long enough to attract any real interest.

Manchester United came through its quarterfinal second leg with Spanish club Granada without much problem on Thursday. It can now switch back to the league to continue what must be deemed a successful season. With just seven games to go, United should see off the challenge of West Ham, Chelsea, and Leicester for second place.

Marcus Rashford is a slight injury worry for this fixture, but the main decision for the manager to make is which of his two keepers to start in goal.

Whoever Solskjaer picks to go between the sticks may not be too busy, as Burnley is likely to sit back and attempt to strike on the counter whenever it gets the chance. But the Clarets do need to pick up some points soon after dropping back into the relegation battle in the last few weeks.

There has been just one win in the last eight games, and the home defeat at the hands of Newcastle last weekend was a real blow to Burnley’s hopes of escaping any late-season tension. It sits just seven points clear of Fulham now and is unlikely to extend that gap this weekend.

The odds for the home win are not the most attractive, but it would be a big surprise if United didn’t manage to take all three points on Sunday. Burnley has largely failed to deliver this season, and the home side has the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani to rely on to get the goals. This one has home win written all over it.