VILLARREAL meet Manchester United on Wednesday evening in the UEFA Europa League final at Stadion Energa Gdansk.
The La Liga outfit will be hoping that manager Unai Emery can add to the trio of triumphs that he masterminded with Sevilla in this competition, having won three straight titles from 2014-2016.
The Yellow Submarine are undefeated in the Europa League this season, posting 11 wins and three draws ahead of what will be their first-ever appearance in a major European final.
Indeed, Villarreal have been imperious in this competition so far, but a meeting with English heavyweights Manchester United will represent their toughest test to date.
The Red Devils have made progress this season by comfortably claiming a second placed finish in the Premier League, not to mention United finished the campaign without losing a league match away from home.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will know that this competition represents a terrific opportunity to not only cap off a good season, but for him to finally deliver some silverware as the Man United manager.
Outright Betting
Villarreal are unbeaten in 14 Europa League matches this season but the bookies odds suggest that streak will come to an end on Wednesday night, with the Spanish outfit 18/5 outsiders with UniBet.
Manchester United have avoided defeat in 28 of their last 31 Europa League matches and the Red Devils are heavily fancied here at 4/5 with Bet 365.
An all-square affair after 90 minutes – an outcome that would set up extra-time and potential penalty-kicks – pays 12/5 with William Hill.
Betting Angles
Manchester United are unsurprisingly big favourites against first-time finalists Villarreal but I suspect this showpiece could be tighter than the odds suggest.
Harry Maguire remains a serious doubt for this game and if the United skipper fails to prove his fitness then value could lie with the even-money (1/1) on offer with William Hill for both teams to score.
United have failed to record a clean sheet during Maguire's recent stint on the sidelines, with the Red Devils rearguard leaking at least one goal in each of their last five outings.
What's more, Villarreal have notched in 13/14 matches in Europe's secondary club competition this season, while United have scored in all but one of their eight Europa League encounters this term.
As such, I'm happy to proceed with a Both Teams to Score punt in Poland on Wednesday night and one player who could be worth considering to get on the scoresheet is Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani, who's priced up at 7/4 with Bet 365.
The in-form Uruguay forward has scored nine goals in his last 10 appearances for United – including a couple of braces against Roma at the semi-final stage – and he is a tempting play at the aforementioned price to grab a goal in the Gdansk showpiece
I'll also dip into the player card market and take the 9/4 on offer with Bet 365 for Villarreal midfielder Etienne Capoue to be carded.
The fiery Frenchman has already clocked up six yellows and two reds this term and he looks like a prime candidate to pick up a card in Poland this midweek.
This UEFA Europa League match between Villarreal and Manchester United will be played on May 26, 2021 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Villarreal vs Manchester United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.