On Thursday evening, from 20:00, Manchester United and FC Astana duel in the first stage of the UEFA Europa League groups, in a match where the hosts start certain favorites to success. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lot problems and cannot bet on Bailly, Dalot, Fosu-Mensah, Martial, Pogba and Shaw, while Lingard is uncertain!
United and Astana are split into Group L, where Partizan Belgrade and AZ Alkmaar are also involved. It looks like a draw for the “devils” on Old Trafford, but the lack of consistency shown in recent seasons will definitely affect the red-and-white course. Former champion in the Europa League, United could sacrifice the balance in groups, thinking more about the course of the championship. However, the “devils” are great favorites to qualify in the next phase, from a good group.
United won with Leicester (1-0) in the championship, on their own ground, thus managing to conclude a series of three consecutive games without success: 1-1 with Wolverhampton and Southampton, respectively 1-2 in front of Crystal Palace. Therefore, Solskjaer’s pupils escaped without scoring for the first time in the last month, and Thursday’s opponent is not a “scary” for the British: Astana comes from the UEFA Champions League preliminaries, where BATE Borisov managed to eliminate the Kazakhs.
Undisputed leader in football in Kazakhstan, Astana comes after the victories with Taraz (5-0) and Sahtior Karagandy (2-1), but these performances are not relevant at a high level. Manchester United has an added strength and technique, which should take advantage without problems, in front of their supporters. Even if we expect to see a few reserves in Solskjaer’s first “11”, these players will want to prove their value and additional motivation could be decisive.
PREDICTION: Over 2,5 goals @ 1,56
