Football Bet of the Day: Goals expected at Old Trafford

Thursday’s football action focuses on the Europa League and the Conference League as clubs from across the continent strive to make it into the final four of each respective competition. 

For Thursday’s Football Bet of the Day, I’ve taken a trip to Old Trafford to analyse what is a simply gargantuan game for Manchester United. 

The entire season rests on this for Manchester United. After another defeat in the Premier League this weekend, a 4-1 hammering at the hands of Newcastle United, they now look certain to finish in the bottom half of the table in what has been a bruising campaign. They are also out of the FA Cup, so all their hopes and dreams rest on winning the Europa League. 

Not just in terms of glory, but financially United would benefit so much from qualifying for the Champions League next term. It feels like the Europa League is wide-open, and United are actually currently the second-favourites to win this competition as things stand, only behind Athletic Bilbao. 

But their opponents Lyon are no mugs, and they currently sit fourth in Ligue 1 having beaten Auxerre 3-1 last time out. Goals are the order of the day for me at Old Trafford and I can certainly see both teams scoring. Manchester United have faced criticism for their lack of firepower this season and now Joshua Zirkzee has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, which means Rasmus Hojlund is likely to start up front.

Football Odds

Despite those concerns, they looked extremely threatening against Lyon in the first leg as Leny Yoro and Zirkzee found the net. Both teams managed to have five shots on target at the Groupama Stadium, and I can see a similar game unfolding here with both teams finding the net. 

We have to talk about the United goalkeeping situation as well, which leads me to believe that Lyon will score at least one goal on Thursday. Andre Onana had two shockers in France in the first leg, and then the Cameroonian was dropped for the Newcastle game at the weekend. However, Altay Bayindir, his replacement, didn’t fare any better as he made one major error with his feet to hand the Magpies another goal.

Manchester United vs Lyon Odds

It leaves Ruben Amorim with a serious dilemma. Does he bring Onana back in or does he now stick with Altay? Either way, United are going to be susceptible to conceding a goal, but I just feel that they will be able to get the job done in 90 minutes. The importance of this game for the home side should carry them through, and Old Trafford should be crackling under the lights. 

United did well away from home in the first leg and should have held on to a 2-1 success had it not been for that late spilled shot by Onana. Bruno Fernandes should step up to the plate and drag his side through to the next round, and I think we are getting good value on the home win, with BTTS. 

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