Sevilla v Man Utd – Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Sevilla host Man Utd at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on Thursday night. The hosts fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Old Trafford in the first leg. Man Utd lost on their last trip to Sevilla but they’re unbeaten in five trips to Spain since then with four victories.

Sevilla Form

It’s been an awful season for a Sevilla side that finished fourth last year. After 26 rounds of action in La Liga, they sat two points above the relegation zone, and coach Jorge Sampaoli was finally sacked. His final seven matches saw five defeats which included a 2-0 loss at PSV in the Europa League (won 3-2 on aggregate). Since the coaching change, Jose Luis Mendilibar has overseen a big improvement in form.

His side beat Cadiz 2-0 vs Sevilla and then 2-2 at home with Celta Vigo in La Liga. He rested a number of players in the first leg against Man Utd, coming back from 2-0 down despite just 0.64 Expected Goals created. Their last match saw two second-half goals to get a crucial 2-0 away win at Sevilla. That gave them an eight-point buffer to the bottom three.

Sevilla Team News

Sevilla went into the first leg with seven changes to their XI from the previous La Liga match. There were eight changes from the United draw to Valencia win over the weekend. Coach Mendilibar has more breathing room in the relegation battle so could play his best available XI here.

Right back Gonzalo Montiel is suspended for this match so Jesus Navas could deputise at right back. Alex Telles is set to be benched against his parent club. Winger Jesus Corona is back from injury to boost options.

Sevilla Motivation

Sevilla have a little less relegation stress after their weekend win. They still need to pick up more points but they can take this game more seriously than the first leg.

With a vocal crowd and good depth in the squad, they will attack and try to reach the semi-finals. Winning this competition would offer a route into next season’s Champions League.

Man Utd Form

United have only been beaten twice in 21 matches in all competitions. An 11-match unbeaten run was ended by a 7-0 humbling at Anfield. They’ve lost once in nine fixtures since then, including beating Real Betis 5-1 on aggregate in the last round of the Europa League (4-1 home win, 1-0 away victory). Their only loss since the Liverpool thrashing was a poor 2-0 defeat at Newcastle.

United then beat Brentford 1-0 as they limited The Bees to very few chances. A superb performance with 29 shots followed by a 2-0 home win against Everton have could have ended by at least double that margin. A week ago, they led 2-0 at home vs Sevilla before two own goals after the 83^rd minute saw a 2-2 draw. They bounced back to cruise past Nottingham Forest on Sunday (2-0 away win).

Man Utd Team News

Erik Ten Hag has a lot of injuries to contend with. Lisandro Martinez is out for the season and Raphael Varane is also missing. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof will start in central defence. Both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are doubtful but they trained on Wednesday. Diego Dalot could otherwise cover at the left back. Bruno Fernandes is suspended for this match and Marcel Sabitzer is a major doubt with a groin problem.

Winger Alejandro Garnacho is out, Scott McTominay is overcoming a knock and Marcus Rashford is 50-50 having just returned to training. Antony Martial will lead the line with Antony and Jadon Sancho in support. One of Fred, Rashford or McTominay is set to complete the starting XI.

Sevilla Motivation

United are set to play their best available XI and they’re eager to win this tournament. They’ve won in Spain twice this season and will again play to win in 90 minutes.

The midfield and defence are both disrupted so Ten Hag could opt for a more cautious strategy, using transitions as a regular method of attacking.

Key Stats

Sevilla have won 7 of their last 9 home matches

Sevilla have scored 2+ goals in their last 7 home matches

Sevilla have not lost at home in the Europa League since 2014 (3 home wins to nil this season)

Man Utd have lost just 2 of their last 21 matches

Man Utd have won 2 of their 3 matches in Spain this season (1-0 at Real Sociedad and Real Betis)

Man Utd’s Rashford has scored 19 goals in 26 matches since the World Cup

Man Utd have scored 2+ goals in 17 of their last 21 matches (all competitions)

Verdict

This should be a very entertaining game. Sevilla are great at home and score freely and they’re facing a depleted Man Utd defence. The visitors will hope for Rashford to play some part and for Martial to perform against his former club. A lot will depend on whether Sevilla plays their best XI – check the lineups of both teams before kick-off.