Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Dachbet
With a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders, Manchester United will welcome Lyon to Old Trafford for their second-leg showdown.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, suffering last-gasp frustration away in France last week as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate, Manchester United have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders when they return to Old Trafford here. Breaking a string of unwanted records this year and coming under major scrutiny, Ruben Amorim’s squad put in another nightmare performance last weekend. Completely blown away at St. James’ Park as they slumped to a 4-1 drumming at the hands of Newcastle, the former Sporting Lisbon boss faces a career-defining showdown on Thursday night. Putting just a single Premier League victory on the board since an action-packed 3-2 win against Ipswich on February 26th, Manchester United have continued to show some glaring issues at both ends of the pitch.
Manchester United Team News
Despite being dramatically dropped by Amorim ahead of Sunday’s 4-1 drumming away at Newcastle on Sunday afternoon, Andre Onana should return between the sticks at Old Trafford. Likewise, limping off at St. James’ Park with a hamstring injury, Manchester United will be without Joshua Zirkzee here.
Suffering a long-term knee issue back in February, United have already confirmed that Lisandro Martinez will miss the remainder of the season. Despite continued speculation over a summer move away from Old Trafford, Rasmus Hojlund should be handed the chance to spearhead Amorim’s attack.
Lyon
As for the visitors, snatching a dramatic late equaliser on home soil last week, Lyon should be relishing a trip to Manchester on Thursday night. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they collected a 3-1 victory away at Auxerre, Les Gones have certainly impressed over the past couple of months. Opening April with a sensational 2-1 win against bitter domestic rivals Lille, Paulo Fonseca’s men have their sights set on booking a lucrative Champions League ticket in 2025. Suffering just a sole defeat from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions, Lyon will also be excited by their extended success on the road. Winning four of their last five showdowns away from the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Thursday’s guests are more than capable of collecting a famous scalp.
Lyon Team News
Both still dealing with respective knee injuries, Lyon will once again be without the duo of Malick Fofana and Ghanian starlet Ernest Nuamah on Thursday night. Enjoying what has been a stellar campaign this year, former Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles will return at right-back.
Bagging that dramatic last-gasp equaliser last week and now finding the net in each of his previous three appearances across all competitions, the red-hot Rayan Cherki could play a leading role. Despite notching a 12th Ligue 1 strike of the season against Auxerre last weekend, ex-Arsenal skipper Alexandre Lacazette might settle for a spot on the bench.
Manchester United vs Lyon Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester United and Lyon met for their first-leg battle last week, Thursday’s opponents played out a thrilling Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
- Manchester United have won just a pair of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
- Lyon have won four of their last five showdowns away from the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
- The Red Devils have recorded just a single clean sheet across any competition since the end of January.
- Six of Lyon’s last seven away fixtures have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Suffering last-gasp heartbreak over in France last week as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate, Manchester United have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders here. Facing what is a season-defining showdown on Thursday night, Amorim’s future at Old Trafford could be hanging in the balance. Mustering just a single clean sheet across any competition since the end of January, neutrals will be hoping for a Europa League thriller. With Lyon seeing six of their last seven showdowns away from the Parc Olympique Lyonnais finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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