MAN UNITED return to Europa League action to complete the formalities of their last-16 tie against a LASK side who are seeking a miracle.
A 5-0 win for United in the first leg has virtually sealed their progress, with Istanbul Basaksehir or Copenhagen awaiting in the quarter-finals, and only the biggest turnaround in European football history can deny them.
With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men having achieved their post-lockdown target of a top-four finish to secure Champions League football for next season, they now look to crown the Norwegian's first full season in charge with European silverware.
It would represent a second Europa League title in three years for United, who triumphed 2-0 in the final against Ajax under Jose Mourinho in 2017 and have realistic ambitions of going all the way again.
They face an Austrian outfit who are under new management after tumbling from the top of the Austrian Bundesliga. Before football's suspension, they were three points clear at the summit, but a six-point suspension for breaking training rules amid the pandemic was followed by just three wins from 10 when football resumed.
That saw LASK finish fourth and cost manager Valarien Ismael his job, with Dominik Thalhammer replacing him last month.
How do the bookies view it?
United ended the Premier League campaign with successive home draws and a third Old Trafford stalemate on the trot pays 11-2 at Unibet.
The Red Devils are short-price 1-4 favourites at 1-4 with Skybet, while a LASK success pays 12-1 at Unibet.
Betting angles
United demolished the Austrians with a second-string team on the road in March and Solskjaer will again use the opportunity to give some of his fringe men a runout.
They ought to complete the job without breaking a sweat, while LASK will look to at least make it competitive. The Austrians have a decent away record in the Europa League this season – drawing at AZ and PSV, beating Rosenborg and losing at Sporting – and have scored in 26 consecutive Bundesliga games on the road.
So, with United in cruise control mode, I'm happy to chance the visitors claiming a consolation strike, with both teams to score paying 11-10 at bet365.
Idion Ighalo is likely to get the nod up front for the hosts and the Nigerian can mark a rare start with another goal after opening the scoring in Austria. Ighalo is evens at bet365 to get on the scoresheet and 15-4 with the same company to again break the deadlock.
There were five cards shown in the first leg and one or more is the starting point for a bet365 bet builder paying 20-21. Add United to win and under five match goals to complete the bet.
This UEFA Europa League match between Manchester United and LASK Linz will be played on Aug 5, 2020 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester United vs LASK Linz prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
