Manchester United vs Sevilla betting tips: Europa League quarter-final first leg preview, predictions, team news and odds
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Manchester United vs Sevilla match preview
Manchester United have already faced three Spanish sides in this season’s Europa League, but now must get past the kings of this competition to reach the semi-finals.
The Red Devils actually finished below Real Sociedad in their group, missing out on top spot by a solitary goal.
Since then though, they’ve seen off Barcelona and Real Betis in the knockout stages.
First, after a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou, goals from Fred and Antony saw off Barça at Old Trafford.
Man United’s victory over Betis was far more straight-forward, cruising to a 4-1 victory at home before Marcus Rashford was the only scorer in Seville.
Overall, it’s been a generally excellent first season in charge for Erik ten Hag.
Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Everton, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial scoring, ensures they remain three points clear of Tottenham who they face in a fortnight.
At Old Trafford, the Red Devils are unbeaten in 24 matches, dating back to early-September, so a home win looks likely in this first leg.
This is even more the case when Sevilla’s away record is taken into account.
Los Nervionenses are the record six-times winners of the Europa League, all of this success coming since 2006, entering the competition just ten times during this period.
In fact, Sevilla have never failed to go on and lift the trophy when featuring in the quarter-finals of this competition.
However, los Hispalenses have been significantly below their best this season, currently fighting against relegation in La Liga, sat 13th, five points clear of danger.
This is after a 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo on Friday night, in which they were 2-0 up, only for Celta to score in the 89th and 93rd minutes.
This was just José Luis Mendilibar’s second game in charge, with the 62 year old their third manager of the season.
In this competition so far, Sevilla have seen off PSV Eindhoven and Fenerbahçe, winning the first leg at home before losing on the road each time.
In fact, in away games against top-flight clubs during this campaign, they’ve claimed just three wins from 20 fixtures, these coming at Espanyol, Mallorca and Cádiz.
Thus, Manchester United could establish an unassailable lead to take with them to Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán for the return leg.
Manchester United team news
The headline team news is that Marcus Rashford will miss both legs of this tie and be sidelined for ‘a few weeks’ after hobbling off on Saturday.
Given that Rashford has scored 28 goals this season, 31% of his club’s total, this is a huge blow.
So Anthony Martial, who came off the bench and scored at the weekend, could start for the first time since 6 January.
In midfield, Casemiro is available, his four-match domestic ban is now over, and Christian Eriksen is back, featuring for the first time since 28 January as a substitute against Everton.
Raphaël Varane will return to defence, having been rested, with Diogo Dalot back in at right-back.
On the other side, with Luke Shaw injured, Tyrell Malacia will keep his place.
Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes would both miss the second leg suspended if booked here.
Predicted XI: (4-3-3): de Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martínez, Malacia; McTominay, Casemiro, Fernandes; Antony, Weghorst, Sancho.
Sevilla team news
Marko Dmitrović is likely to keep his place in goal, with José Luis Mendilibar having favoured the Serbian international to Moroccan World Cup hero Yassine Bounou.
Left-back Alex Telles is eligible to face his parent club, although Marcos Acuña is first-choice in that position.
Youssef En-Nesyri’s fine form continued on Friday night; he’s now scored 14 goals for club and country since the start of the World Cup.
Gonzalo Montiel and Rafa Mir are one yellow card away from a ban.
Of the Sevilla XI that beat Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals in Köln three years ago, only Jesús Navas, Fernando and Suso are likely to start here.
Predicted XI (4-5-1): Dmitrović; Navas, Gudelj, Badé, Acuña; Gueye, Fernando, Rakitić, Suso, Bryan Gil; En-Nesyri.
