Villarreal v Manchester United predictions: Red Devils set for European drama

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Villarreal v Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 5.45pm Tuesday

Best bet

Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals
2pts Evs bet365, BoyleSports

Team news

Villarreal
Spain striker Gerard Moreno is injured and Serge Aurier is ineligible. Arnaut Danjuma and Etienne Capoue should be fit after missing the weekend game against Celta Vigo.

Manchester United
Edinson Cavani and Luke Shaw are likely to join Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane and Mason Greenwood on the sidelines.

Match preview

Saturday's dismal 4-1 Premier League defeat at Watford proved to be the final act of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's career as Manchester United manager and interim boss Michael Carrick will be hoping for a far better performance away to Villarreal.

The Yellow Submarine denied Solskjaer a trophy at the end of last season, beating United in an epic penalty shootout in the Europa League final, and they could put a dent in the Red Devils' European hopes this term.

United head to Spain at the top of Group F but they are level on seven points with Villarreal while Atalanta, odds-on to win away to Young Boys in the other game in the section, are lurking just two points behind them.

Carrick is missing injured France World Cup winners Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane while Edinson Cavani, Luke Shaw and Mason Greenwood are also sidelined and United are likely to go with the same attacking unit who started the defeat at Watford.

Harry Maguire, whose rocky club form continued with a red card at Vicarage Road, must pick himself up to anchor a defence who have struggled in the Champions League over the past two seasons.

All ten of the Red Devils' European group games since the start of the 2020-21 campaign have ended with over 2.5 goals and nine of those matches rewarded backers of both teams to score.

That sequence includes a dramatic 2-1 home win over Villarreal on matchday two, when Cristiano Ronaldo struck a late winner at Old Trafford, and backing both teams to score and over 2.5 goals looks an appealing bet again.

United followed up their home win against Unai Emery's men by coming from 2-0 down to claim a 3-2 victory against Atalanta and they needed another last-gasp goal from Ronaldo to nick a 2-2 draw in Bergamo on matchday four.

Carrick takes over a side who have lost four of their last five Premier League matches, conceding 15 goals in that time, and United look ill equipped to try to grind out a narrow win in Spain.

Villarreal are not the most naturally expansive of teams and are missing star striker Gerard Moreno. However, they drew 2-2 at home to Atalanta on matchday one, did the double over Young Boys, winning 4-1 in Switzerland and 2-0 in the return fixture, and had a 3-3 home draw with Cadiz in La Liga in late October.

They should take a positive approach against United given that anything other than a win would set up a tense finale away to Atalanta and they know they can get at the visiting defence.

The teams each had seven shots on target in their clash at Old Trafford and Carrick's promotion is unlikely to change United's penchant for Champions League drama.

Key stat

There have been over 2.5 goals in Manchester United's last ten Champions League matches.

Inside info

Villarreal

Penalty taker Paco Alcacer
Free-kick wizardDani Parejo
Set-piece aerial threatPau Torres
Card magnetEtienne Capoue

Manchester United

Penalty taker Bruno Fernandes/Cristiano Ronaldo
Free-kick wizard Bruno Fernandes
Set-piece aerial threat Harry Maguire
Card magnet Fred

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport