FC Barcelona vs Manchester United Preview 16/02/2023

FC Barcelona vs Manchester United – 16/02/2023

Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

14320

The UEFA Europa League knockout spherical play-offs get underway this week, with Barcelona welcoming Manchester United to Camp Nou on Thursday.

Barcelona discover themselves within the Europa League after ending third of their Champions League group earlier within the season, behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan

In the meantime, Manchester United completed second of their Europa League group – regardless of ending stage with Actual Sociedad on 15 factors.

Let’s begin by trying on the hosts, Barcelona, who managed to win simply two of their six Champions League group video games, recording one draw and three losses.

Consequently, the Spanish giants have dropped into the Europa League for the second season working – having didn’t qualify for the UCL knockouts final time period.

Nonetheless, Barca are having fun with a exceptional home marketing campaign. Having misplaced simply one in every of their 21 La Liga matches, they sit 11 factors away from second-placed Actual Madrid.

Not solely have Xavi’s males gained every of their final 11 video games in all competitions, however they’ve additionally gained 15 of their earlier 16. Evidently, that isn’t excellent news for Man Utd.

That stated, Manchester United shall be assured of getting one thing from the primary leg after chalking up and spectacular run of their very own.

The Purple Devils have solely misplaced one in every of their previous 17 outings throughout all competitions, securing 14 wins within the course of.

Additionally it is price noting that Erik ten Hag’s aspect gained 5 of their six Europa League group video games earlier within the marketing campaign, scoring 10 objectives whiles conceding simply three.

Having saved a clear sheet in every of their earlier three Europa League clashes, United will fancy their probabilities of irritating Barcelona.

Head-to-head: Man Utd have solely managed to win one in every of their previous six aggressive conferences with Barcelona, with their final triumph coming again in 2008.

Since then, Barca have claimed 4 consecutive victories over the Purple Devils within the Champions League – scoring over 1.5 objectives on three events.

Workforce information: Barcelona look set to be with out the injured duo of Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets for the primary leg.

As for Man Utd, Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen are long-term damage absentees, whereas Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial and Antony are doubts.

With the second leg scheduled for February 23 at Previous Trafford, each side shall be eager to stay within the tie – that means Thursday’s assembly is more likely to be a cagey affair.

Forebet predicts that Barcelona and Manchester United will play out a low-scoring draw at Camp Nou, with each groups netting underneath 1.5 objectives.