Prediction and odds for the game: LASK Linz (13/5) v Manchester United (11/10)
We are backing the draw at odds of 23/10
When: 12th March 2020, Kick-off 5:55 PM
Where: The Raiffeisen Arena
On Thursday evening, Premier League Manchester United face a potential banana skin of a last-16 tie in the Europa League, as the Red Devils visit in-form Austrian outfit, LASK Linz. Both teams will be looking for an advantage to take into the second leg in Manchester.
LASK Linz
The home side could not have hoped for a better campaign so far. The Austrian team is currently six points clear of reigning champions Salzburg in the Bundesliga, while their European campaign has also been a roaring success.
Valerien Ismael’s team have been a tough nut to crack in recent months, as they have lost just once in their last 11 competitive outings.
The home sides recent record in the Europa League is also impressive. LASK are unbeaten in six European games, having claimed four victories. They have been prolific in recent games in Europe, scoring at least twice in four of their last five games in the Europa League.
The Austrian league leaders have only ever played six home games in the Europe League and have claimed victories in all six matches. A big factor has been their attacking displays, as LASK have scored at least twice in five of their six home games in the competition.
Manchester United
The Red Devils have hit form at just the right time in the season. Last time out, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team recorded a 2-0 derby win over arch-rivals Manchester City. The win means that United are unbeaten in their last ten competitive games, having picked up seven wins.
While finishing in the Premier League’s top-four seems to be the visitor’s main aim, winning the Europa League would also bring the reward of Champions League next season. The Red Devils have benefitted from this before when they lifted the trophy in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.
The Red Devils, like the home team, have been a hard team to beat when it comes to the Europa League. United have lost just once in their last 19 games in European football’s secondary competition. Solskjaer’s team booked their place in the last-16 courtesy of a 6-1 aggregate win over Club Brugge.
The visitors do not have a great away record in the Europa League. However, they have suffered just one defeat in their last ten matches on their travels in the competition. United have won just one of their last four away matches in the Europa League.
Conclusion
This one is a difficult one to call. Both teams head into this clash on the back of good runs of domestic form. Therefore, we are backing the draw. Neither side will want to lose. We are also backing United striker Anthony Martial to be an anytime goalscorer. The French forward is in decent form and will be looking to add to his goal tally.
Verdict: We are backing the draw at odds of 23/10 and/or Anthony Martial to be an anytime goalscorer at odds of 21/20. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Who will come out on top between these two in-form teams?
