Cardiff v Man Utd preview, odds, betting tips, team news, tactics and key stats

Premier League
BT Sport 1, 5.30pm Saturday

Odds
11-2 Cardiff bet365, Hills
8-13 Manchester United Betway
58-19 Draw 188Bet

Form
Manchester United's latest defeat – a 3-1 reverse at Liverpool – saw the club cut its losses with Jose Mourinho, who was sacked on Tuesday and replaced in a caretaker role by Red Devils cult hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

It was not merely the loss to Liverpool but also the manner of the performance, which saw United lose the shot count 36-6. They managed just two shots on target to their hosts' 11 and won two corners to the Reds' 13.

United have won only two of their last eight matches and start the 18th round of Premier League fixtures stuck in sixth position with a goal difference of zero.

Cardiff, the ante-post relegation favourites, would have settled for being 16th at this stage and they have won four of their last five home matches thanks to victories over Fulham, Brighton, Wolves and Southampton.

• Premier League standings

The tactical battle
Solskjaer, who coached Paul Pogba when he was in charge of United's reserves, said before this season started that he would build the team around the Frenchman if he were in charge so all eyes will be on whether the World Cup winner returns to the starting line-up.

In terms of philosophy Solskjaer is seen as an attack-minded coach who earned a reputation in his Norwegian homeland as a tinker of formations and personnel with just about every reference point coming from his time spent working under Sir Alex Ferguson.

However, for all of the wisdom passed down from Fergie, Solskjaer had a nightmare when he managed Cardiff in 2014, taking the Welsh club down with only three Premier League wins in 18 games.

He then signed ten players but was sacked with the Bluebirds 17th in the Championship and during his tenure Cardiff conceded an average of more than two goals per game.

Team news
Alexis Sanchez is out, while Chris Smalling is unlikely to make a swift return. Marcos Rojo is a doubt, but Luke Shaw has returned to training.

Cardiff are missing Jazz Richards and need to make checks on Greg Cunningham and Danny Ward.

Verdict
There is no desire to back United at short odds but Cardiff have struggled against elite attacks this season, conceding three to Arsenal, four at Chelsea and Liverpool and five to Manchester City.

Neil Warnock's side, however, did lose only 1-0 at Tottenham and a narrow United win looks the most likely outcome. 1-2.

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Key stats
Thirteen of Cardiff's 14 Premier League points this season have come at home.

Cardiff average the lowest possession in this season's Premier League with just 40.5 per cent of the ball.

Both teams have scored in eight of United's nine away Premier League matches this season.

Only five teams – Bournemouth, Newcastle, Fulham, Brighton and Burnley – have conceded more shots than United.

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