Manchester United and Lyon are set to continue their fight for a spot in the 2025 UEFA Europa League as they face off in the second leg of their quarterfinal match this Thursday at Old Trafford.
The first leg in Lyon ended in a 2-2 draw thanks to a late goal from Lyon`s French forward Rayan Cherki. Since then, Lyon secured a 3-1 victory against Auxerre in Ligue 1, while Manchester United suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Newcastle in the Premier League.
The upcoming match is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. ET at Old Trafford in Manchester. Manchester United enters as the favorite with odds of -130, while Lyon is the underdog at +330. A draw is priced at +300, and the over/under for total goals is set at 2.5.
Expert analysis suggests an exciting match is anticipated with both teams demonstrating strong offensive capabilities but also showing vulnerability in defense. Predictions point towards a high-scoring game with a good chance of both teams finding the net and exceeding 2.5 total goals.
It`s noted that both teams have a tendency to be involved in matches with goals at both ends of the pitch. This trend has been evident in Lyon`s recent five matches and in eight of Manchester United`s last eleven games. Lyon has conceded two or more goals in three of their last five matches across all competitions. Manchester United has not managed to keep a clean sheet in the Europa League since January 30.
Furthermore, a high number of corners are expected. In the first leg, Manchester United had eight corners despite having less possession. With everything to play for in this second leg, both teams are expected to attack, leading to numerous scoring opportunities and consequently, a high number of corners.
Dominic Ashworth