On Wednesday night, from 20:00, Manchester United and LASK Linz meet in the second round of the eighth round of the UEFA Europa League, at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cannot count on the injured Jones and Shaw, while the Austrians cannot count on Goiginger, Grgic, Karamoko and Potzmann, the latter being an important absence for black and whites.
Manchester United prevailed without problems in the first leg, even if at the break they entered only 1-0. Odion Ighalo opened the scoring in the 28th minute, after which James (’58), Mata (’82), Greenwood (’90 +2) and Pereira (’90 +3) determined the fate of the match. “Devils” sent 22 shots at goal, with 56% possession, the ratio of corners being 5-2 in favor of the English. The difference in value was clear and qualification is no longer an issue for United. The English have been very efficient in the European cups, lately, and they approach the match with maximum seriousness. From here we explain the very small share of victory that the favorites have.
United ended the en-fanfare season in the Premier League, with a 2-0 victory over Leicester, which brought them qualification for the next edition of the UEFA Champions League. As a result, the “devils'” morale is high and Solskjaer’s students are likely to seek to celebrate this success right in front of LASK. The Linz team is in free fall internally and has three consecutive defeats in the championship, 0-1 with Wolfsberger, 1-3 with Rapid Vienna and 0-3 with Salzburg.
In addition, in a friendly played against Senica, LASK lost 0-2. The Austrians finished the championship and for them, practically, the season is over. We expect an animated second half, in which guests could physically clack. Apparently, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will use a formula with a few headlines that should make a difference. In comparison, in Ishmael’s camp we could see some surprise names, from the “second line”.
Manchester United: Romero; Dalot, Bailly, Lindelof, Williams; McTominay, Fred; James, Mata, Lingard; Ighalo
Coach: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
LASK Linz: Schlager; Wiesinger, Trauner, Andrade; Ranftl, Holland, Michorl, Renner; Tetteh, Frieser; Klauss
Coach: Valérien Ismaël
United have won at zero and at the difference of 4+ goals in 3 of the last 4 UEL matches;
The “Devils” have not lost at home for 8 consecutive matches, in all competitions;
LASK Linz have not recorded a draw in 8 consecutive matches;
In 4 of the last 5 away games played by LASK, more than 3.5 goals were scored;
Mason Greenwood scored after the break 12 of his 17 seasonal successes;
LASK Linz received in the second half 7 of the 10 goals scored this season by UEL;
PREDICTION: Both teams to score / NO @ 1,75
