Manchester United vs Real Betis – 09/03/2023
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We have reached the round of 16 in the 2022/23 Europa League and on the 9th of March we have a meeting between Manchester United and Real Betis. This is the first leg of the tie and it will be played at Old Trafford with the hosts currently 3rd in the Premier League and the visitors 5th in La Liga.
Manchester United come into the match on the back of an embarrassing 7-0 defeat at rivals Liverpool on the weekend. The Red Devils gave a good account of themselves in the first half and were unlucky to be 1-0 down at half time.
We’re back in #UEL action on Thursday ????#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 7, 2023
However, the second half performance was shocking and Manchester United conceded 6 goals without reply.
That was the first defeat for Manchester United in 12 games in all competitions. They have won 4 of their last 5 fixtures in all competitions, with the wins coming over Leicester City in the Premier League, Barcelona in the Europa League, Newcastle United in the League Cup final, and West Ham United in the FA Cup.
Home form shows Manchester United are undefeated in their last 20 matches in all competitions and have won 17 of their last 18 home games.
In terms of the Europa League, Manchester United are undefeated in their 7 most recent fixtures in the competition. They have won their last 3 home Europa League games in a row and have conceded just a single goal in those 3 matches.
Real Betis travel to Old Trafford having picked up a point thanks to a 0-0 draw at home with Real Madrid in La Liga on the weekend.
That result means Real Betis are undefeated in their last 4 matches in all competitions and there have been wins over Almeria, Real Valladolid, and Elche in the Spanish league.
Real Betis have a good recent record when playing away and they have won 5 of their last 6 away fixtures in all competitions, tasting just one defeat.
The wins have come over Rayo Vallecano, Getafe, Almeria, and Elche in La Liga plus Ibiza Islas Pitiusas in the Copa del Rey.
Like the hosts, Real Betis are undefeated in their 7 most recent fixtures in the Europa League. They have a strong away record and Real Betis have won their last 5 away Europa League matches, conceding only one goal in their last 3 games on the road.
Team news and there could be several changes to the starting XI for Manchester United. Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Marcel Sabitzer could all start. Christian Eriksen, Anthony Martial, and Donny van de Beek are injured.
Real Betis are expected to be without the injured trio of Nabil Fekir, Sergio Canales, and Juan Cruz.
The defeat at Liverpool means Manchester United will be desperate not to concede in this game. That could make it a tight match and with Real Betis performing well in recent away Europa League games, this one could end level with 0-0 the final score.
