Prediction: Man United win
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: 888sport
It’s time for us to head to Gdansk as we gear up for the 2021 UEFA Europa League Final. This seemed destined to be another all-English final, as is the case in the UCL, but it wasn’t to be with Villarreal pinching that last spot to set themselves up for a showdown with Manchester United. These two sides are very different in the way they approach the game which should, hopefully, make for one hell of a war in Poland on Wednesday night.
Villarreal
Villarreal may have finished below where they wanted to be in the league this season, but the fact that they’ve finally been able to reach a major European final should help their fans view this campaign as a success. There’s no denying that they’ll be the underdogs for many people here and understandably so, but even with that being the case, they still have a few attacking stars that are capable of causing United some major damage.
Team News
Iborra is the only man officially ruled out through injury here for Villarreal with Chukwueze also being a serious doubt due to a hamstring injury. Foyth is also facing a race to be fit in time for the final with Bacca and Alcacer fighting to start alongside Gerard Moreno, the key man in this equation for the Spaniards.
Manchester United
Manchester United have enjoyed a solid season under the guidance of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, to the point where they even managed to go the entire league campaign unbeaten away from home – becoming the first Premier League team to do so since The Invincibles. As a club, they’re starting to rediscover their identity and if they can win this trophy, it’ll serve as a huge confidence boost heading into the summer.
Team News
The club isn’t particularly hopeful that Harry Maguire will be able to make it back in time for the final due to his recovery from an ankle injury. Jones and Martial are still both on the shelf with Greenwood hoping to start.
Factors to Consider
- Man United finished 2nd in the Premier League whereas Villarreal finished 7th in La Liga.
- Villarreal have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six games.
- Man United have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games.
- Villarreal have scored 10 goals and conceded six in their last six games.
- Man United have scored 11 goals and conceded 12 in their last six games.
Conclusion
Villarreal are going to come into this game prepared in a way they’ve never been prepared before – but on the big stage, when it matters the most, we just can’t picture a scenario in which Manchester United don’t walk away with the trophy. They’ve got so many attacking players at their disposal that it’s almost criminal to think they can’t win this, which is why we’re backing them to get over the finish line with a 2-0 scoreline to give Ole his big moment.
Prediction: Man United win
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: 888sport
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