MY ACCOUNT
– Manchester United have been superb at Old Trafford, beating Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool
– Barcelona have struggled against the top teams this season, losing to Real Madrid, Bayern and Inter Milan
– Recommended bet: Manchester United to win
The first leg of this Europa League knockout round play-off produced a 2-2 thriller and if both teams take a similar attacking approach in the second leg, we can expect fireworks at Old Trafford.
The Camp Nou was treated to an all-out attacking exhibition last Thursday, with neither defence managing to gain any sort of control over a glittering array of attacking stars.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford again sparkled as he helped himself to a goal and an assist in Catalonia, while Barcelona forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha were too hot to handle for an under-pressure United defence.
Another entertaining encounter beckons and the Old Trafford faithful will be confident of progressing after an impressive performance in hostile conditions in the first leg.
Manchester United vs Barcelona (Thursday, 8pm)
Team news
United have centre-back Lisandro Martinez and midfielder Marcel Sabitzer back after both were suspended for the first leg.
Creative midfielders Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek will both be out until at least May but winger Antony could return.
Striker Anthony Martial and centre-back Harry Maguire are both major doubts due to hip and knee injuries.
Barcelona will hope to have key man Sergio Busquets available after he returned to the bench last weekend but fellow midfielder Pedri is expected to be out for a month after he had to come off last Thursday with a hamstring injury.
Attacker Ousmane Dembele also has a hamstring problem and has been ruled out until March while midfielder Gavi is suspended after picking up a yellow card in the first leg.
The stats
United’s 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou was well-deserved as Erik ten Hag’s men matched Barcelona’s impressive tally of 18 shots on goal but also forged by far the better-quality chances, registering 2.1 expected goals to Barca’s 1.2.
That will be encouraging for the Red Devils as they have been far better at home than on the road this season. Ten Hag’s men have won only one of seven away league games against hosts from outside the bottom seven but have the second-best home record in the English top flight, beating Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Barcelona have been superb in LaLiga, winning 19 of 22 league games, but it is perhaps telling that their only defeat came away against their main rivals, Real Madrid.
Xavi’s side also suffered embarrassment in the Champions League group stage, twice getting outclassed by Bayern Munich in 2-0 and 3-0 defeats, losing away at Inter Milan and needing a 92nd-minute equaliser to get a point against the Italians on home soil.
Prediction
United will feel they have one foot in the last 16 after avoiding defeat at Camp Nou as while their away form has been a concern, they have been hugely impressive at Old Trafford.
Another exciting encounter looks likely as the Red Devils have scored two or more goals in 15 of their 17 matches since the World Cup break while Barcelona’s elite attacking force has netted in each of their last 18 matches. That makes over 2.5 goals a sensible addition to Bet Builder selections.
However, backing United at odds-against looks the best value approach as United are starting to purr under Ten Hag and an in-form Rashford looks capable of again terrorising a Barcelona defence who simply could not handle him last week.
The Red Devils have seen off some high-quality visitors to Old Trafford this term, with Rashford netting winners against each of Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal, and they will not feel overawed by a Barca side against who they stood toe-to-toe with on foreign soil.
