Manchester Utd vs Betis prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-03-08 20:00.
The Erik ten Hag era suffered its biggest and most humiliating setback yet as Manchester United were pummelled 7-0 by arch-rivals Liverpool last time out. The Dutchman described his sideâs second-half performance as âunprofessionalâ and he now has the task of picking his players up to tackle a UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie with Real Betis. Heâll be confident of achieving that though, given that both the Red Devilsâ previous 3+ goal defeats this term were followed by victories.
While the Old Trafford faithful were bruised by that drubbing, theyâll be sure to get behind their side who are unbeaten on home soil since September (W17, D2). Theyâll be aware that Unitedâs last defeat on their own turf was to Spanish opposition in the form of Real Sociedad in this seasonâs group stage however, and although they impressively knocked out Barcelona to get to this stage, theyâve been eliminated by Spanish opposition in each of their last five European campaigns.
Betis geared up for their first ever trip to Old Trafford with a goalless draw against Spanish and European champions Real Madrid. That stalemate left Los Verdiblancos just three points adrift of the top-four in La Liga, and bookended a four-match unbeaten run which has propelled their pursuit of a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2005 (W3, D1).
The Andalusians have been comfortable on their travels of late, winning each of their last three road trips, with the last two decided by a 3-2 scoreline. Theyâre also unbeaten in five UEL matches away from home (W4, D1), whilst also sailing through the group stages without tasting defeat (W5, D1), so theyâre unlikely to be intimidated by the Old Trafford crowd.
Key battle: Red Devilsâ midfield stalwart Casemiro has lost just two of his 12 personal H2H meetings with Betis (W7, D3). He could be tasked with restricting Betis loanee Ayoze PĂ©rez, who assisted twice in his last clash against the Manchester club, part of a 4-2 Leicester victory.
Hot stat: Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has faced United four times in European competition, all ending in 0-0 draws while in charge of Villarreal.