Man Utd v Villarreal Prediction: Three bets for Old Trafford test

Live on BT Sports, Manchester United host Villarreal in the champions league at Old Trafford this Wednesday at at 8pm. The 2020 Europa league finalists meet again in this all important champions league group stage clash after the visitors triumphed in the final on penalties in May.

After a great start to the season, Manchester United have struggled in recent weeks. They have lost their last three out of four games in all competitions including a shocking 2-1 loss against Young Boys in the champions league. Pressure is mounting on Ole Gunnar Solskjær to turn it around but Villarreal will be no pushovers. After winning the Europa league title in May, they are unbeaten in La Liga and have had impressive draws away from home against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Having drawn their first champions league group stage game 2-2 against Atalanta, they will be out for another positive result against United in a game that will be extremely tough to predict. All five head to head meetings between these two sides have ended in draws and I would not be surprised with another toughly contested clash. As usual, I have included my three best bets for this game in the preview below:

Team News:

Manchester United: Aaron Wan-Bissaka is suspended. Harry Maguire, Amad Diallo, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw are out injured.

Villarreal: Francis Coquelin is suspended. Samuel Chukwueze, Gerard Moreno, Dani Raba and Yeremi Pino are out injured while Foyth is doubtful.

Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Telles; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Pogba; Ronaldo 

Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, A. Moreno; Parejo, Capoue, Trigueros; Danjuma, Alcacer, Pino

Manchester United are currently in their worst form of the season, losing three out of their last four games in all competitions. They have failed to score in their last two games and could struggle to break down a Villarreal side that has kept four clean sheets in six La Liga games so far this season. Credible draws away to Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid should give them confidence to go to Old Trafford and get another positive result. They drew against United in the Europa League final in May and another similar sort of result would not surprise me. With this bet, we also have the security of a refund in case United do turn up and win the game by one goal. At a price of 21/20, this looks like a fantastic bet to me for a 1pt stake.

Etienne Capoue has committed the most fouls for Villarreal this season and already has two bookings in six appearances in the league this season. He was booked in the first Champions League game against Atalanta and also in the Europa league final against Manchester United in May. Considering we have a ref who is averaging over five cards per game this season, I think 9/4 is a decent price for Capoue to get another yellow card. Take it with a small 0.5pt stake.

Manu Trigueros has had a fantastic start to the season. After scoring just 1 goal last season, this season he is playing a bit more further forward and is making late runs in the opposition’s penalty box. As a result, he has already scored 3 goals for Villarreal this season in just five starts. With Coquelin suspended, Trigueros should start here and considering he had three shots on target against Atalanta in the first game, I think 22/1 is a huge price for him to get two shots on target against a Manchester United side that will be without their three first choice defenders. Take this bet with a very small 0.25pt stake.

Best of luck if you follow these selections. Please always gamble responsibly.