Football predictions Friday 20th March

 

Time	Home Team	Away Team	Tips
ENGLAND: Premier League
21:00	Bournemouth	Manchester Utd	2 EH
FRANCE: Ligue 1
20:45	Lens	Angers	1 2up
GERMANY: Bundesliga
20:30	RB Leipzig	Hoffenheim	gg
ITALY: Serie A
20:45	Genoa	Udinese	1 0.5
NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie
20:00	Heracles	Excelsior	gg&ov2.5
SPAIN: LaLiga
21:00	Villarreal	Real Sociedad	1 EH
AUSTRIA: Bundesliga - Championship Group
19:30	Sturm Graz	Salzburg	ov1.5
DENMARK: Superliga - Relegation Group
19:00	Vejle	Odense	ov2.5
ENGLAND: Championship
21:00	Preston	Stoke	x or gg
FRANCE: Ligue 2
20:00	Amiens	Le Mans	2  or ov2.5
20:00	Boulogne	Nancy	2 0.5
20:00	Clermont	Red Star	x or gg
20:00	Laval	Grenoble	x or gg
20:00	Pau FC	Montpellier	1 0.5
20:00	Rodez	Bastia	ov1.5
IRELAND: Premier Division
20:45	Derry City	Drogheda	ST 0.5
20:45	Waterford	St. Patricks	2 1up
21:00	Bohemians	Dundalk	12&ov1.5
21:00	Shamrock Rovers	Galway	1 or ov2.5
IRELAND: Division 1
20:45	Cobh Ramblers	Bray	1 EH
20:45	Kerry	Finn Harps	ov1.5
20:45	Treaty United	Athlone	ov2.5
20:45	UC Dublin	Cork City	2 or un2.5
NETHERLANDS: Eerste Divisie
20:00	Cambuur	Jong AZ	ST 0.5
20:00	FC Emmen	Venlo	HT 0.5
20:00	Jong Ajax	Almere City	HT 0.5
20:00	Jong PSV	Vitesse	gg&ov2.5
20:00	Jong Utrecht	Dordrecht	asn ov2
20:00	Oss	Eindhoven FC	ov2.5
20:00	Roda	Helmond	gg&ov2.5
NORTHERN IRELAND: NIFL Premiership
20:45	Carrick Rangers	Linfield	2 1up
20:45	Glenavon	Larne	2 EH
NORTHERN IRELAND: NIFL Championship
21:00	Loughgall	Institute	ov1.5
SCOTLAND: Championship
20:45	Partick Thistle	St Johnstone	x or gg
SWITZERLAND: Challenge League
19:30	Bellinzona	Lausanne Ouchy	ov2.5
19:30	Stade Nyonnais	Rapperswil-Jona	12
20:15	Vaduz	Yverdon	1
WALES: Cymru Premier - Championship Group
20:45	TNS	Colwyn Bay	1
WALES: Cymru Premier - Relegation Group
20:45	Llanelli	Cardiff Metropolitan	2 EH

 Lets take a look at the key match preview between 

Bournemouth and Manchester United

Bournemouth will host Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium on Friday, March 20, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 GMT The Premier League Match week 31 fixtures brings together a Bournemouth side enjoying an impressive unbeaten run and sitting in the top half of the table against a Manchester United team chasing a top-four spot and Champions League qualification.

Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth have been one of the more consistent performers outside the traditional big six, showing real resilience and counter-attacking threat. At home, the Cherries press with intensity, use width effectively, and look dangerous on the break through pacey forwards and clever movement. Coming into this match on the back of a solid run of results, they will aim to make life difficult for the visitors and pick up valuable points to push further up the standings.

Michael Carrick’s Manchester United arrive with ambitions to solidify their position near the top but face a challenging away trip. They typically blend organized defending with quick transitions and creative play in midfield, though recent results on the road have been mixed. United will look to control key areas, exploit any spaces left by Bournemouth’s high press, and rely on their attacking quality to secure three points that keep their European hopes on track.

Tactical Focus

The game is likely to be competitive and open at times. Bournemouth will press high and look to win the ball back quickly, launching rapid counters that exploit United’s defensive vulnerabilities. Manchester United, meanwhile, will aim to maintain composure, dominate midfield duels, and create chances through patient build-up or swift attacks. Set-pieces could play a significant role given both teams’ aerial presence, and the ability to handle transitions will probably decide the outcome in what promises to be a high-energy evening on the south coast.

"Injuries and Suspensions"

Bournemouth head into the fixture with several concerns. Justin Kluivert remains sidelined with a knee injury, Lewis Cook is out with a thigh problem, and Tyler Adams continues to miss out. Ben Doak is a doubt with a hamstring issue, while other squad members add to the selection headaches. These absences test the depth in attack and midfield, though the home side’s recent form suggests they can cope.

Manchester United face significant defensive issues. Matthijs de Ligt is unavailable with a lower back injury, Lisandro Martínez is sidelined with a calf problem, and Patrick Dorgu continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Noussair Mazraoui is also carrying a knock and listed as doubtful. Harry Maguire’s availability was impacted by a red card in this very fixture (in the actual outcome), but heading in, the visitors were already stretched at the back, forcing adjustments and reliance on squad rotation.

Key Insights on this match

This matchup highlights the fine margins in the Premier League, with Bournemouth’s home strength and counter-attacking style posing a real threat to Manchester United’s top-four push. United have historically held the edge in head-to-head meetings, but recent encounters have been tight, and Bournemouth’s current momentum makes them dangerous opponents on their own patch. A win for the hosts would further boost their impressive unbeaten sequence, while three points for United would be crucial for maintaining pressure on the teams above them.

The Vitality Stadium atmosphere is expected to be lively, giving Bournemouth an extra edge as they look to frustrate the visitors and capitalize on any lapses. United must stay disciplined and clinical to avoid dropping points against a well-organized home side. With both teams having clear but differing objectives — Bournemouth aiming for a strong mid-table finish or better, and United chasing European football — this Friday night clash carries real importance as the season heads toward its decisive phase.