Real Betis vs Manchester United
UEFA Europa League, KO: 20:00 Mar 16, 2023, Estadio Benito Villamarín
A HURTING Manchester United managed to restore a small level of respectability after their Merseyside mauling by Liverpool by taking a commanding first leg lead to Spain.
And they will expect to finish the job in the Europa League on Thursday when they face Real Betis.
Erik ten Hag read the riot act after that 7-0 defeat and they responded by easing to that win.
However, at the weekend, they were held to a really disappointing goalless draw with relegation-haunted Southampton after Casemiro was sent off.
For Betis, they must have known they would have faced a backlash from United for that that loss, but they are surely out of the tie now barring another Anfield-like collapse from the visitors.
They drew 1-1 at Villarreal on Sunday and currently sit in fifth place. They have held Real Madrid in the league and Barcelona in the Super Cup to draws at home and drew with Roma here too in the Europa League.
But they have only won one of their last seven home games in La Liga and that was against mid-table Valladolid.
How the bookies view it
Even with that big first leg lead, United are still favourites to grab the double. They can be backed at evens with Coral. Betis are 5/2 with bet365 to win and the draw is 11/4 with UniBet.
United are 1/100 with SBK to qualify. Real Betis are 28/1 with bet365 to overturn the three-goal deficit.
Recent head to heads
Their meeting at Old Trafford was the only time the teams have clashed and the hosts won 4-1.
Players to watch
Real Betis' on-loan striker from Leicester City, Ayoze Perez, gave the Spaniards hope when he grabbed the equaliser at Old Trafford before United stepped it up. He is 23/4 to score anytime with UniBet.
Wout Weghorst has had a turbulent start to his United career and it's fair to say he dives opinions. But the Dutchman did net in the first leg and is 5/2 to score anytime with UniBet.
Anything else catch the eye?
The tie is all but over as a contest, but United should be on a mission after Anfield and a weak display against Southampton and they should be too strong for Betis. They obviously don't need to win, but they really should.
Betis haven't even got a good home record to cling to and United have scored at least twice in four out of their last five games in this competition.
Back United to score at least twice at evens with Paddy Power.
With Betis having to go for it to tru and make it a contest, this can be a repeat of the first leg in terms of goals so the over 2.5 goals and both teams to score at 6/5 with bet365 looks a solid shout.
This UEFA Europa League match between Real Betis and Manchester United will be played on Mar 16, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Real Betis vs Manchester United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
