Can Manchester United achieve famous victory at Old Trafford?

The Europa League knockout play-off second leg returns and with it comes a fixture for the ages as Manchester United face Barcelona at Outdated Trafford. The Purple Devils have the prospect to beat them for the primary time since 2008.

We additionally preview two extra video games from the intriguing knockout spherical.

Nantes v Juventus

Two groups which have had very poor seasons by their requirements, Nantes and Juventus discover themselves going into this knockout play-off second leg sat exterior the European locations of their respective home leagues.

For Nantes, it has been an incapacity to transform attracts into wins, taking 10 stalemates over the course of the season and solely claiming six victories from 24 matches. It’s a far cry from the place they have been in presently final season, and the French outfit will surprise why their fortunes have modified.

Holding Juventus to a 1-1 draw within the first leg of this tie, Antoine Kombouaré’s aspect performed the very best soccer they’ve all season and confirmed a glimpse of the aspect that had managed to qualify for European soccer the 12 months earlier than. They’re vital underdogs on this match at 15/4 and are 7/4 to qualify for the following spherical, however by the seems to be of issues, Juventus haven’t been as snug on this fixture as predicted.

Juventus are seventh within the Serie A and nonetheless look to be rebuilding after their dramatic downfall that noticed the giants give up their 9 league title win streak. A deduction of 15 factors this season has additionally seen the Outdated Woman undergo however they nonetheless look to be one of many favourites to win the general competitors this 12 months.

Juventus are 2/5 to win the tie and can possible dominate after a shaky first leg, and at 12/1, we might see them win each halves and take essentially the most corners in every half.

Monaco v Leverkusen

The primary leg of this tie was arguably essentially the most thrilling of the opening spherical, ending 3-2 to Monaco with a dramatic 92nd minute winner from Axel Disasi that despatched the away followers into bedlam.

The late winner sees Monaco go into this second leg because the favourites at 5/4, however not by a lot as Bayer Leverkusen are shut behind at simply 2/1. The German aspect haven’t had the very best season and sit tenth within the Bundesliga after an unimaginable 2021/22 that noticed them end third, their highest since 2015/16. Monaco, then again, look to be in nice type, sitting third in Ligue 1 and claiming a win of their final league match which put them on a four-game win streak that sees them solely seven factors behind leaders PSG.

Monaco are heavy favourites to qualify at 2/9, and it’s possible we’ll see the French aspect come into their very own and assert some authority on the match. Monaco are 12/5 to attain twice and simply 17/2 to attain 4 or extra, a punt however one with a excessive return.

If the sport has any of the flavour of their assembly final week, it may very well be a really tasty tie and odds of 8/1 for each groups to attain in each halves appears a terrific guess. As is with European tournaments lately, it’s unlikely that both staff will let up, and we may very well be in for an additional absolute cracker. It’s 4/1 that we witness 4 or extra targets within the match.

Manchester United v Barcelona

Simply essentially the most anticipated tie of the spherical and maybe in all of European soccer this season, the second leg between Manchester United and Barcelona will little question supply excessive class leisure after a scintillating first leg that noticed the 2 behemoths come away with nothing between them.

Drawing 2-2 at a raucous Camp Nou, United slogged it out with Xavi’s males for 90 minutes in a sport that ebbed and flowed from the very starting. From kick-off, it regarded as if Barcelona have been going to be the dominant power, earlier than United obtained a foothold within the sport and regarded like taking the lead. Marcos Alonso headed within the opener, and the sport was flipped once more late on with a Raphinha equaliser after United had turned the sport on its head with two quickfire targets.

We are able to solely hope we’ll get one other prime efficiency from these two sides who’re neck and neck on paper. United are favourites to win at 13/10, with Erik ten Hag’s males additionally favourites to win the tie at 4/6.

This sport will possible be determined by the attackers, and there are none higher in the mean time than these possessed by these groups. Robert Lewandowski is arguably the very best striker on this planet, and finds himself in common nice type, while United’s Marcus Rashford taking part in in addition to he ever has and scoring for enjoyable.

The 2 marksmen would be the ones to look at because the stress builds. Lewandowski is 5/1 with enhanced odds to attain first, and Rashford is 10/1 to attain two or extra targets in 90 minutes. Strap in for a giant one.