Bournemouth welcome Manchester United to Dean Court with Eddie Howe's side slowly edging towards securing another season in the Premier League next term.
United are coming off the back of a troubling defeat against West Bromwich Albion that saw the Red Devils concede the title to fierce local rivals Manchester City with a number of games still to be played.
Bournemouth
© SilverHubBournemouth head into the final few games of the season having all but secured top-flight safety under the guidance of rising coach Howe.
The promising English manager has enjoyed a standout start to the new year which has seen his side claim 18 points, placing them in seventh had the league standings been taken from January onwards.
The Cherries have managed to construct a 10-point gap between themselves and the bottom three, leaving the club just another victory or two away from signing off on another year of top-flight football.
Central to the club's success this term has been Howe's installation of some much-revered character that has seen the Cherries bounce back from a number of problematic situations in games. Bournemouth have now collected a league-high 18 points from losing positions in Premier League contests.
Looking at the meeting with United, Howe's men have tended to struggle when facing top-four sides this season. In fact, Bournemouth have managed to lose all seven league games against the current top four. During those outings the Cherries have conceded 19 and scored just two goals.
Bournemouth have arguably been an entertaining side for the neutrals and another strong showing in the Premier League will undoubtedly see Howe's stock rise again over the summer. His side have been value for money going forward, where they have scored at least two goals in seven of their last eight home matches.
The Cherries have lost just one of their last nine home fixtures at Dean Court since November, but Bournemouth are coming into this game off the back of a run that has seen them win only one of their last eight league games.
Bournemouth are likely safe but Howe will be hoping that his side can either pull off a shock against a lumbering United side on Wednesday night, or pick up further points when they face Southampton, Swansea City and Burnley in the closing weeks.
Recent form: DLWDDL
Manchester United
© OffsideUnited's stuttering Premier League campaign took another confusing turn on Sunday afternoon when Jose Mourinho's side conceded the title to Manchester City having been beaten at home by bottom-of-the-table West Brom at Old Trafford.
Having bounced back from two behind to win 3-2 at the Etihad and halt City's celebrations the previous weekend, the Red Devils fell to an embarrassing loss against the Baggies that saw their initial hard work undone.
Sunday's defeat perhaps represents a near-perfect crystallisation of United's campaign, one that has offered glimmers of progress set against performances tainted by lethargy and a distinct lack of creativity.
Not only has Sunday's outcome caused embarrassment in Manchester, but the loss has also resurfaced questions surrounding culpability in the United camp. Are United's players to blame for a lack of application, or is Mourinho's 'pragmatism' stifling a group of progressive, but restricted, attacking talents?
Mourinho made no bones about his frustration following the loss, leading to some reports suggesting that he could axe a number of players for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final at Tottenham Hotspur, while others have hinted that a number of individuals could be moved on during the summer window.
Central to the debate has been the form of Paul Pogba, who after shining in the comeback over City, was one of a number of United players who struggled against the Baggies. Wednesday's visit to Bournemouth could represent a chance for a number of other faces to work their way into Saturday's starting XI at Wembley.
Romelu Lukaku certainly enjoys facing the Cherries. The frontman has scored six goals in his five Premier League appearances against Bournemouth, although he could be rested for the weekend after drawing a blank against West Brom.
The FA Cup represents the final chance for Mourinho to claim silverware this season and the trip to the south coast might just be used by the Portuguese coach to illustrate a few wider political points with his team selection, knowing that United should be able to close out second place with a game in hand over chasers Liverpool.
Recent form: WWWWWL
Recent form (all competitions): WLWWWL
Team News
© OffsideHowe could move Callum Wilson back into attack after he started on the bench during the club's recent defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
Tyrone Mings might just find himself with an outside chance of making it back into the squad despite a lack of match fitness, although Adam Smith and Junior Stanislas have both been ruled out.
Lukaku has been ever-present during the league this season, but Mourinho may finally decide to give his key frontman a rest ahead of the weekend.
Any number of players could be axed following Sunday's defeat, potentially handing chances to the likes of Marcus Rashford, Marouane Fellaini and Luke Shaw to start.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Francis, S. Cook, Ake, Daniels; Fraser, L. Cook, Gosling, Pugh; King, Wilson
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Young, Bailly, Lindelof, Shaw; Matic, Fellaini; Sanchez, Lingard, Martial; Rashford
Head To Head
Lukaku scored the winner in December when United beat Bournemouth 1-0 in a close encounter at Old Trafford.
Across the last six meetings between the teams, United have won three, drawn two and lost one against the Cherries. Last time United visited Dean Court, the Red Devils won in August of last season.
The campaign before that Bournemouth managed to claim a memorable 2-1 win over a United side coached by Louis van Gaal, who enacted revenge by beating the Cherries 3-1 when they came to Old Trafford a few months later.
We say: Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester United
United come into the game with much to prove after Sunday's nightmare defeat, in a contest that may also provide a number of chances for the squad's fringe members to impress ahead of the FA Cup semi-final.
Mourinho's men have had to come from two goals down to win their last two away games in the league and it will be intriguing to see the sort of character on show should they go behind again at the Vitality.
As for Bournemouth, Howe's men might feel that the pressure is slightly off as they observe potentially easier chances for points in their final three games after this one. That release might just see Bournemouth cause some problems for a United side under the microscope.
