Sevilla vs. Man United: Preview, Odds, Predictions (April 20)
Initial Thoughts
Without key players and having thrown away a two goal lead, Manchester United face an uphill task against Sevilla on Thursday night.
The Narrative
Everything was going to plan and pretty much to script in the first 45 minutes of Man United’s quarter final first leg against Sevilla last week.
The Spanish side are having a domestic season from hell and struggling to maintain their place in the Spanish top flight. That turmoil meant the record Europa League winners arrived at Old Trafford distracted and discouraged, and very much the weaker team.
The Red Devils began the game in total control, with January signing Marcel Sabizter playing a starring role in a more advanced position and putting Erik ten Hag’s side 2-0 up inside the first 20 minutes.
But what should have been a routine victory took a turn for the worse when both Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez left the field with injuries, allowing Harry Maguire to play a starring role in United’s demise.
The Red Devils conspired to score not one but two own goals in the last five minutes, with deflected shots adding the names of both Maguire and Tyrell Malacia to the scoresheet.
That late calamity puts a whole different slant on Thursday’s tie, as an unwelcome distraction from their struggles in the League can now offer Sevilla a realistic chance of a season-defining victory in front of their home fans.
Nuts and Bolts
Jose Luis Mendilibar's side are Europa League specialists, having lifted the trophy on six different occasions.
Sevilla are unbeaten against Man United across four previous meetings, and they knocked the Red Devils out of the competition in the semi-final stage back in the 2019/20 season.
On top of that, claiming the Europa League title this campaign is Sevilla’s only route to European football next season, with the Andalusian side currently just eight points clear of the drop zone in La Liga.
Results in the league have improved of late, with Sunday’s 2-0 victory away to Valencia making it two wins and two draws in their last four outings.
Lifting European silverware would turn a nightmare season into a respectable one for fans and players alike, and having been given a major lifeline back into the tie, Sevilla will relish the chance to welcome Erik Ten Hag’s side to the raucous Estadio Ramon on Thursday evening.
Man United bounced back from last week’s disappointment with a 2-0 win away to Nottingham Forest, with goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot.
Antony may be called upon to play a starring role on Thursday, should Marcus Rashford still be unavailable through injury.
But Sevilla will sense this game is there for the taking, and United will need to put a stop on the unforced errors if they hope to progress in Spain.
Homestand Picks
All odds courtesy of Northstar Bets
With both sides having found the net twice in each of their last three matches, we’re taking the Over in this Europa League quarter final clash.
There’s a Man U fans writing this article. But without center backs Varane and Martinez, and having let Seville back into this tie, a win for the homeside looks like the value bet on Thursday.
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