Will the Red Devils get revenge?
Just a few months ago, Manchester United and Villarreal CF faced each other in the final of the Europa League. The fifth competitive match between the two teams so far also failed to produce a winner after 90 minutes, before the Spaniards finally prevailed 11:10 in a memorable penalty shoot-out. The Red Devils will now be looking for revenge.
In the run-up to the match between Manchester United and Villarreal, the bookmakers’ odds are clearly in favour of the English side. However, the Red Devils do not go into this match with the broadest chest. After all, the Solskjaer eleven have lost three of their last four competitive matches.
On the first matchday, Manchester United surprisingly lost 2-1 in Bern, while Villarreal drew 2-2 with Atalanta Bergamo. Thus, a point win for the Spaniards at the English record champions is by no means improbable, especially since Emery’s team has its strength in defence
We therefore see the greatest value in betting on Manchester United against Villarreal to score less than 2.5 goals. After all, there have never been more goals in any of the five competitive matches between the two clubs, in which the score has always been tied after 90 minutes of regular time.
England Manchester United – Statistics & current form
Manchester United celebrated a runners-up finish in the 2020/21 season, but once again remained title-less, twelve points behind city rivals Manchester City. One of the reasons for this was the loss of the Europa League final against today’s opponents Villarreal.
Nevertheless, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was once again allowed to continue, with those responsible digging deep into their pockets to give the coach an even more powerful squad. For Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo alone, the Red Devils put the equivalent of around 140 million euros on the table.
Lost three of last four competitive games
The interim result is not too rosy. Manchester United are only fourth in the Premier League after six matchdays with 13 points out of a possible 18 and missed the jump to the top of the table with a 1-0 home defeat against Aston Villa at the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils also suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at BSC Young Boys on the first matchday of the Champions League and were eliminated from the League Cup last week after losing 1-0 at home to West Ham United. In total, this means that Solskjaer’s squad have lost three of their last four competitive games.
Winless in seven Champions League games against Spanish teams
Accordingly, it is somewhat surprising that the odds on Manchester United against Villarreal are swinging so clearly in the direction of the English side.
There is also the fact that the Red Devils have never won against Villarreal in the past. Including the Europa League final, which ended 1-1 after regulation time, every game against the men from Spain’s east coast has ended in a draw. Good omens for a home win truly look different…
Predicted Manchester United line-up:
De Gea – Shaw – Maguire – Lindelöf – Dalot – Fred – van de Beek – Pogba – Fernandes – Sancho – Ronaldo
Last matches played for Manchester United:
Spain Villarreal – Statistics & current form
Villarreal CF have never won the Copa del Rey before, let alone the Spanish championship. Nevertheless, the team from the Spanish east coast immortalised itself in the international history books this summer when the Yellow Submarine (Spanish: El Submarino Amarillo) became the fifth Spanish team ever to win the Europa League.
Despite finishing seventh in the league, Unai Emery’s side qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in a decade, having reached the semi-finals in 2006.
Unbeaten in 16 international matches
While the Yellow Submarine is not necessarily considered a hot contender to win Group F, at least in terms of international record. However, at least in terms of international record, no one in the competition can match the East Spaniards.
After all, Villarreal CF have not lost a match in 16 European matches (twelve wins, four draws). That is the second-longest unbeaten streak by a Spanish team ever in Europe.
First three goals conceded in six league games
When it comes to Manchester United against Villarreal, the betting on the Yellow Submarine avoiding defeat at Old Trafford as well is basically under a good star. Although the 2021/22 season has not been overly successful with only eight points out of a possible 18, Unai Emery’s team is still unbeaten in the league (one win, five draws).
A striking fact is that Villarreal have conceded only three goals in six league games, but have also scored only three of their own. This also increases the value of a low-scoring game at Old Trafford, especially as the East Spaniards were also able to defy Real Madrid’s brilliant attack on Saturday (final score: 0-0).
Predicted Villarreal line-up:
Rulli – Pedraza – Torres – Albiol – Foyth – Trigueros – Parejo – Capoue – Pino – Dia – Moreno
Last matches played by Villarreal:
Manchester United – Villarreal Direct Comparison / H2H Record
Head to head: 0 – 5 – 0
Five times the two teams have faced each other so far and five times the match ended in a draw. First, there were four 0-0 draws in four Champions League group stage encounters before the 2021 Europa League final ended 1-1. The Spaniards then had the upper hand in a penalty shoot-out (11:10).
England Manchester United – Villarreal Spain tip
When it comes to Manchester United vs Villarreal, the prediction must also take into account the fact that in five competitive matches between the two teams, only two goals have been scored in total. In addition, the Red Devils are currently in a bit of a crisis. The English record champions have lost three of their last four competitive matches
Nevertheless, a narrow victory for the English against the current eleventh of La Liga is not out of the question. A landslide victory, on the other hand, is highly unlikely. We therefore see the greatest value in the bet on a maximum of two goals, which covers most eventualities.
