Prediction: Manchester United vs Villarreal

Prediction: Man United win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: 888sport

The UEFA Champions League is once again back in our lives this week and we have a whole host of exciting fixtures to consume over the course of the next few days – as you’d expect from a competition with this level of prestige. Today, we’re going to take a look at a unique rematch as Manchester United and Villarreal, who came head to head in another European competition not so long ago, take a step up and battle it out on the grandest stage of them all.

Manchester United

It’s been a rollercoaster ride of a few weeks for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester United as a whole – such is the nature of being one of the biggest football clubs on the planet. Their inconsistency has led to more than a few heart attacks amongst the fanbase as they continue to be involved in fixtures that aren’t over until they’re truly over. Moving forward, they need to learn how to kill games off when they have the chance – or they could quite easily suffer the consequences.

Team News

Shaw is a fitness doubt for this one with Wan-Bissaka being ruled out through suspension. Elsewhere the following players have been confirmed as absentees through injury: Rashford, Diallo and Maguire.

Villarreal

While they may be coming off the back of a big trophy win it’s safe to say Villarreal have gone a bit stagnant in recent times. Their biggest issue seems to be finding the back of the net with a real killer instinct because they actually don’t tend to lose too many games for a side that is currently placed 11th in the La Liga table. If they can just put their foot down a little bit more then there’s every chance they’ll make a real dent in the top six picture over in Spain.

Team News

There are some big absences for Villarreal to deal with from Coquelin’s suspension to Pino, Raba, Chukwueze and Moreno all being injured.

Factors to Consider

• These sides met in the Europa League final back in May with Villarreal winning on penalties.
• Man United have won three and lost three of their last six games.
• Villarreal have won one and drawn five of their last six games.
• Man United have scored eight goals and conceded six in their last six games.
• Villarreal have scored eight goals and conceded five in their last six games.

Conclusion

Manchester United have more than a few aces up their sleeve in comparison to what they did back in May in the Europa League final, and they also have their back against the wall with respect to qualifying for the knockout stage of this year’s UCL. They need to come out and produce the goods against a side that knows they can cause the Red Devils problems and when it comes to an official prediction, we’re going to back United to score a late Ronaldo-inspired winner that hands them all three points.

Prediction: Man United win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: 888sport