WOUNDED MAN UNITED KEEN TO BOUNCE BACK IN BETIS EUROPA FIRST LEG. PREDICTION
Manchester United are hoping to bounce back as they welcome Real Betis for the first leg of their Europa League last 16 clash.
United are coming off an embarrassing 7-0 defeat at the hands of eternal rivals Liverpool, their heaviest Premier League defeat ever.
Their previous Europa encounter was morale-boosting as they knocked out Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate to book a place in the last 16.
Real Betis have come up against six English opponents in Europe and have lost four, drawn one, and mustered just a single win.
United are unbeaten in the first leg of their last eight European knockout ties while Betis have just a single win in their last seven knockout stage matches in the Europa League.
Prior to being destroyed by Liverpool, Man United had scored at least twice in 12 successive games in all competitions
A near-perfect group stage for Betis saw them win five games and draw one in Group C – only dropping points in a 1-1 home stalemate against Roma.
Betis have never progressed beyond the last-16 of the Europa League in its current format – losing to eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt at this stage last season.
Manuel Pellegrini has managed against Man United four times in the past in European competitions and all of those games ended in goalless draws.
Can Man United get back to winning ways here to keep their hopes of winning the Europa League alive? Click here to place your bet
What time does Man United vs Real Betis start?
The game kicks off at 20 UTC at Old Trafford.
Man United vs Real Betis team news
United’s midfield is struggling with the recent news that Marcelo Sabitzer missing from the squad, joining Christian Eriksen and Donny Van De Beek on the sidelines.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia are set to return to the back line ahead of this game.
Marcus Rashford will lead the attacking line supported by Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho.
For the visitors, the biggest boost is that Sergio Canales is back in training and may start on Thursday night.
Claudio Bravo, German Pezzella, Luiz Felipe and Aitor Ruibal will all start but will miss the second leg if they are booked here.
Man United vs Real Betis head to head
This will be the first ever competitive match played between these two sides.
Man United vs Real Betis current form
Erik Ten Hag’s side have lost just once in their last 5 games, winning all the remaining 4 while Betis have won three times, lost one and drawn another.
Man United vs Real Betis prediction
United have already beaten three Spanish sides in the competition this season and are tipped to favourites to win on the night.
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