Omonia vs Manchester Utd prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-05 16:45.
Cypriot Cup winners Omonia Nicosia are currently on track to repeat the fourth-place finish they managed in their maiden UEFA Europa League (UEL) group stage appearance during 2019/20, having opened their 2022/23 campaign with consecutive defeats. But by securing back-to-back league wins for the first time this season in the run up to this clash, albeit either side of the international break, they could argue they’re in the best position yet to improve their continental fortunes.
Those two wins were also their only clean sheets from seven starts in all competitions since reaching the group stage, and whilst they were both against mid-to-lower table Cypriot clubs, it could nonetheless be a sign of positive progression. This game now heralds Neil Lennon’s managerial debut against Manchester United after 12 contests as a player (W3, D3, L6), including two Champions League encounters for Celtic.
It will also be a debut of sorts for United as they step onto Cypriot soil for the first time, but they demonstrated prior to the international break that new surroundings are no issue for them when accounting for Sheriff Tiraspol 2-0 in their inaugural trip to Moldova. As the only current UEL group stage team to have previously won the title (2016/17), the English giants will be keen to continue asserting their authority after losing at home to
Real Sociedad on the opening matchday.
There may also be the need to project the frustrations of a humiliating 3-6 Manchester derby defeat onto a weaker opposition – a result that kept them out of a coveted 2023/24 Champions League spot for the moment. Despite that weekend loss United will certainly make this a tough encounter, and local fans will likely be eager and hoping to see United legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who appears to now be a continental specialist after his last two starts for the club were in this competition.
Players to watch: Omonia’s Brazilian forward Bruno has now scored in a remarkable five of his last six appearances in all competitions, including three match openers for his team. United forward Jadon Sancho has been somewhat of a good luck charm for the club as he’s been on the scoresheet in three of their five wins in all 2022/23 tournaments.
Hot stat: The pre-match favourite has won just one of Omonia’s last seven fixtures (D3, L3).