Manchester Utd – Barcelona

At Old Trafford, the hosts will play better than the leaders of the Primera Division

No one would be surprised in many pages of football history to see a Champions League final involving Barcelona and Manchester United. However, these clubs, in current realities, meet in the early stages of the Europa League play-offs. The first match between the top clubs was played last Thursday in Catalonia. The opponents did not score any goals in the first half, but started the second half with a serious exchange. Barcelona scored the first goal in the 50th minute, but quickly got two goals in return. Manchester United did not hold on to their winning score, conceding in the 76th minute after a Rafinha strike, but they played as well as their opponents on their own ground, which will bring the team a psychological advantage in the return meeting. The bookmakers see the Mancunians as favourites to qualify for the next stage, offering odds of 1.69 on that. Manchester United have been one of the most consistent clubs in England in recent months. Since the resumption of the season, Eric ten Hague's side have managed to play 17 official meetings, of which they have lost only one - to Arsenal on their field. Manchester City were among Manchester United's 13 defeated opponents in that period. In between the meetings with Barcelona, the Red Devils played a home league match against Leicester, which finished confidently in their favour - 3-0. Two goals against the Foxes were scored by Rashford, who is in great form. Barcelona have had a great season in La Liga, but it did not help the Catalans in the Champions League, where they took seven points from six rounds of the group stage and lost the play-off places to Inter and Bayern. Dembele, Pedri and Gavi, Barcelona's main creators of creativity and results, will not be available for the return leg against Manchester United. The first two have injuries, the third is suspended for yellow cards. The third was disqualified for a critical warning for an unnecessary foul in the middle of the pitch in the first leg against United. It will be difficult for Barcelona without their key players in the Mancunians' den of success hunger. Manchester United are likely to not let Barcelona the opportunity to play "their favorite game". The ball will be under the control of the home side, who will score at least one more goal.