Manchester United v LASK Linz Tips: Back Lingard to bag against Austrians

The Europa League returns this Wednesday with Manchester United hosting Austrian side LASK Linz. Cast your minds back to March 12, and despite feeling like a lifetime ago, that was when these sides met in the first leg with United coming out 5-0 winners in Austria. 

With such a healthy lead from the first leg and an exhausting end to the Premier League season it would be no surprise to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer name a second string XI here. The Reds kept the same side for the majority of the games since the Premier League restart and I can see many others being given a chance, given the nature of this Europa League tie.

Odion Ighalo should start up front after he scored in the game in Austria back in March. Luke Shaw and Axel Tuanzebe have been left out of the squad due to season-ending injuries. There’s also strong rumours circulating that highly rated centre half Teden Mengi could make his debut for the club after being added to the matchday squad. 

It’s no surprise to see United the short price favourites to win this one, with bet365 going 2/9 for a home win. The draw can be backed at 11/2, with Unibet currently best priced at 13/1 for a LASK win. I’ve had a look through the betting markets and have picked out three football tips that look good value for the game.

Man United to win both halves - Man United most corners each half - 1pts @ 5/1 Paddy Power

Jesse Lingard to score anytime - 1pts @ 4/1 Paddy Power

Ighalo & James to score, Over 3.5 goals & Lask not to score - 1pts @ 25/1 Betfair

First up I’m backing the home side to win both halves and to have the most corners in each half at 5/1 with Paddy Power. United have scored more goals than any other team this season in the Europa League (21), with five of those coming in the home leg against a disappointing LASK Linz side. Despite wholesale changes from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, I still see them dominating this game, with a second string who have enough quality to score plenty here. 

Before Lockdown LASK were top of the Austrian Bundesliga, however they were given a 12-point deduction for breaking coronavirus safety rules. Since the restart they managed just two wins from 10 league games and as a result their manager, Valerian Ismael, was sacked with new coach Dominik Thalhammer coming in for the game. 

This will be LASK’s first competitive match in a month and the first game for the new man Thalhammer at the helm. I see them lacking match fitness in this one and United’s superior quality should shine through in the form of players such as Odion Ighalo, who found the net in the reverse fixture.

My second selection comes in the form of Jesse Lingard to score anytime, priced at 4/1 with both Betfair and Paddy Power. Yes, I know that may have raised a few eyebrows but I’m fancying Jesse to start this evening and put in a good performance. 

Many will have seen via social media on the last day of the season how Lingard’s extra time goal managed to cost punters on one of the most ridiculous 66/1 shots ever seen. Paddy Power had offered 66/1 for Lingard not to score or assist in the 19/20 Premier League season and up until the last kick of the campaign he hadn’t done. Paddy ended up paying out as a good will gesture in the end but it remains to be seen whether Lingard will be at the club next season.

Back to tonight and I see Lingard playing behind Ighalo and getting plenty of chances against a LASK team who face an uphill battle. He’s scored in the Europa League and FA Cup and took four shots on goal in his last start for United. He’s priced at 6/4 to find the net with bet365 which gives plenty of appeal to the 4/1 on offer from both Betfair and Paddy Power.

Finally, I’ve picked out something at a double figure price for the optimists out there. At 25/1 I’ve gone Odion Ighalo and Daniel James to score, Over 3.5 goals and LASK not to score with Betfair and Paddy Power.

With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set to rest so many of his superstar forwards, I’m expecting Odion Ighalo to come into the starting line up. The Nigerian has scored in his last two Europa League games for United and should get plenty of chances this evening. 

Another who should benefit from rotation is Daniel James. He started the game over in Austria back in March and his pace should cause LASK some real issues. He’s averaged 1.5 shots per game at Old Trafford this season and at 3/1 to get on the scoresheet this evening he looks a respectable price and one that can go into this Same Game Multi

I’ve also opted for over 3.5 goals in this game. Manchester United’s last two results in the Europa League have both been 5-0 victories, one in Austria, and one at home to Club Brugge. I think they could rack up the goals once again tonight with plenty of players wanting to put in good performances to keep their place in the side for the remainder of the tournament. 

The final element of this four-pronged punt is: LASK not to find the back of the net. I wasn’t too impressed with them in the first-leg, and considering they haven’t played in a month I think they will struggle here. United will see the majority of the ball and I wouldn’t expect Sergio Romero to have too much to do in this game. 

Putting those together gives us a 25/1 shot that is available on both Betfair and Paddy Power. The game can be seen live in BT Sport and kicks off at 8pm. As always, enjoy the game, and please remember to gamble responsibly.