Man United vs Barcelona – Betting Preview
Even though Marcos Alonso scored the game’s first goal in the first leg with a back post header, Manchester United never lost momentum because to the hot-shot Marcus Rashford, whose close-range finish came before Jules Kounde’s own-goal-turned-cross.
Man United Preview
Raphinha’s ball into the box, which evaded everyone before nestling into the bottom corner, ensured that everything would still be up for grabs at Old Trafford, and interest would have been piqued had Erik ten Hag not used the word “rubbish” to describe his team’s performance against Leicester City on Sunday.
Despite giving up numerous chances to the wasteful Foxes, who were unable to beat an inspired David de Gea, Man United still managed to lead by one goal at the half thanks to Rashford, who doubled his total before Jadon Sancho scored in a 3-0 victory that pulled them within three points of second-place Manchester City.
The Red Devils, who could theoretically still finish the season with a quadruple, are preparing for Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Newcastle United and an FA Cup fifth-round matchup against West Ham United, so talk of a potential Premier League title challenge is by no means unjustified!
Barcelona Preview
For a cash-strapped Barcelona, being dropped to the second division of European football for the second year in a row was nothing short of terrible. They are currently 90 minutes away from another early exit from continental play, albeit this one might not have such severe repercussions.
With Xavi now in charge, Barcelona has a commanding eight-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga standings. At the weekend, Barcelona easily defeated Cadiz 2-0 to get back on track. Sergi Roberto and Robert Lewandowski each scored once.
The Catalan powerhouses, who also have an impressive unbeaten run of 18 games—16 of which have ended in victories—travel to Old Trafford having won each of their last 11 away games across all competitions, although Xavi’s team has already been defeated by Bayern Munich and Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena and San Siro this year!
Despite Man United’s losing streak of five games against Barcelona dating back to the 2007–08 Champions League semifinals, Barcelona has a history of avoiding defeat. But, for one titan arising from the ashes, hopes of winning a prized piece of European silverware must now come to a stop!
1×2 Betting Odds
Let’s analyse the 1×2 betting market.
Man United’s ruthless charges have slaughtered numerous rivals at Old Trafford this season, and an absentee-hit Barcelona should become the latest victims of the Red Devils’ domination, even with the danger of an impending EFL Cup final to derail their line of thinking!
United are the market favourites in this one @ 2.41.
While Xavi’s team can still expect success in the final third, Man United’s fondness for multiple-goal performances should see them through! But a more clinical side than Leicester would have taken one of their numerous first-half chances at the weekend!
Barcelona’s odds of winning stand @ 3.40.
The market odds of a stalemate and that this will goes to extra time, stands @ 3.58.
Total goals over/under
Let’s analyse the over/under market.
The odds that the total number of goals scored will be over 2.5, stands @ 1.87.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 2.13.
If the first leg was not evidence enough, the over/under odds should tell you that this very well could be another high scoring game.
Both sides have a certain way of playing, and they have attackers who can punish mistakes.
Expect goals at both end, with United coming out on top at the end of it!
