Man United vs Barcelona prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for Europa League second leg

One team will emerge from Old Trafford with their continental dreams still alive, while another will see their European season come to an early end as Manchester United and Barcelona meet for the second leg of their Europa League matchup.

Drawn against each other much earlier than anticipated in the Europa League knockout stage, the two European giants will put everything on the line knowing there's much to lose in this affair. Ending their continental journey for the season this early would be a massive disappointment given how their domestic campaigns have shaped out.

The first leg was a thrilling 2-2 draw that leaves it all on the line in the final 90 minutes or more at Old Trafford, and both sides have a large amount at stake. Barcelona are leading La Liga by a significant margin and seem well equipped to maintain their advantage atop the Spanish league table, but bowing out of the Europa League in the playoff stage would still be an embarrassment.

Man United, meanwhile, are looking to cling to a glimmer of hope in the Premier League title race, but are also holding a strong position amongst the top four as Erik ten Hag steers the Red Devils back to their former position as European kings.

While this game is of vital importance, both teams are in awkward positions as well, looking ahead to critical fixtures. Barcelona especially are juggling a number of injuries and a host of important upcoming games, including three games against hated Real Madrid across the next five weeks. United, meanwhile, have the EFL Cup final set for the weekend plus a Premier League road fixture against arch rivals Liverpool in a further week's time.

MORE: How to watch Man United vs Barcelona in Europa League play

Man United vs Barcelona odds

The absences for Barcelona seem to be affecting the betting market, as the visitors at Old Trafford are 2/1 underdogs. Manchester United are deemed clear favorites, but still boast slightly plus moneyline odds.

After the barnburner first leg that ended 2-2, the game flow odds are swung heavily in favour of the over, with goals expected to fill the back of the Old Trafford nets.

Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Neds (Australia).

Man United vs Barcelona: 3 things to know

Man United vs Barcelona match facts

• Date: Thursday, February 23
• Kickoff Time: 3:00 pm ET / 8:00 pm GMT / 7:00 am AEDT (Fri, Feb. 24)
• Location: Old Trafford (Manchester, England)
• Official: Clement Turpin (FRA)
• First leg score: Barcelona 2-2 Man United

Man United vs Barcelona team news

Erik ten Hag doesn't have too many selection problems to worry about for Man United in his game. Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen remain long-term absentees, but otherwise the midfield is finally healthy and available. That means Marcel Sabitzer and Casemiro could start together in the Man United midfield for the first time since the former joined on loan in January. Anthony Martial is back in training, but is not yet working with the first team, instead doing light fitness drills by himself.

Barcelona manager Xavi has a serious selection issue ahead of this critical match. He's lost vital midfielder Pedri to a hamstring injury at the worst possible time, while fellow youngster Gavi is suspended for yellow card accumulation after his 73rd-minute booking in the first leg. That means Frenkie de Jong will shoulder even more midfield responsibilities and attention, and Franck Kessie will likely see the field. Ousmane Dembele still has not returned from his hamstring injury and will miss out again.

MORE: Updated Premier League table with title, Champions League, and relegation race breakdowns

Man United vs Barcelona key stats

• Man United have lost just two of their last 11 European matches at home, but both defeats came to Spanish opposition, falling to Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad both by 1-0 scorelines in 2022.
• Marcus Rashford has 24 goals across competitions this season, matching Man United's top goalscorer from the entirety of last season, Cristiano Ronaldo.
• Gavi's absence (via suspension) will be just the second match he has missed for Barcelona all season across all competitions, after he was an unused substitute in the 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage.

Man United vs Barcelona prediction

• Moneyline lean: Man United (+125)
• Against the spread lean: Man United -0.5 (+115)
• Score prediction: Man United 3-1 Barcelona

There are too many red flags in this match for Barcelona to have any confidence in the Catalan club whatsoever.

Barcelona have been awful on the road, and their defending in European competition just hasn't been the same as at the domestic level. 

Their forward play, meanwhile, has not been of consistent quality. Raphinha has been scoring important goals, but on expected goals (and, if you watched the first leg, on the eye test as well), he's been getting extremely lucky with his chances in front of net. Robert Lewandowski was blanketed in the first leg, able to rip off just two measly shots, and if Ten Hag develops another plan to quiet the Barcelona talisman, they'll struggle to find good goals again.

⏳ This time tomorrow.

We're ready to bring the noise — are you? 🔊🔥#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/947wZRbkww

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 22, 2023

Man United vs Barcelona best bet

• Pick: Man United over 1.5 total goals
• Odds: +100 (BetMGM)

Everything in this match screams back Man United to score a flurry of goals.

First and foremost, Marcus Rashford in scoring goals at a historic level, but more on that in a moment.

Here, let's focus on Barcelona's recent away form in European play coming into this match, which has been downright putrid. This year, in their three Champions League group stage road games, they were defeated at Bayern Munich (2-0) and at Inter (1-0) and conceded twice to lowly Viktoria Plzen in a nervy 4-2 win.

Man United vs Barcelona prop bet

• Pick: Marcus Rashford anytime goalscorer
• Odds: +125 (BetMGM)

Come on. You knew this was coming.

It's impossible not to back the 25-year-old England star. Rashford has scored in nine of his last 10 Premier League matches, including seven straight at home. Add in all other competitions, and Rashford has scored in an eye-watering 15 of his last 18 matches dating back to a goose egg (how dare he!) on November 13 in a nervy Premier League win over Fulham.

In Premier League matches over that span, Rashford has 10 goals on 6.2 xG coming from 34 shots, good for an exceptional 0.18 xG per shot, meaning he's getting good chances and taking them. 

Getting plus odds to back a player in this scorching hot form is a gift. Remember Erling Haaland's incredible form in the first half of the season? He consistently sported minus odds as bettors flooded the market with his name. That's not happening here at the same levels, (mostly because the betting market is forever enamored with Pep Guardiola's Man City), as Rashford still somehow doesn't have quite as good of odds as Robert Lewandowski (+120). Get on board while there's still some value left.

Man United vs Barcelona prop bet

• Pick: Jules Kounde to be booked
• Odds: +230 (FanDuel)

You read the last few paragraphs directly above, right? Well, Jules Kounde is defending on Marcus Rashford's side of the field. Don't overthink it.

If you really want, you can add Ronald Araujo to be booked at +210, because it's a bit of a coin flip as to which Barcelona defender will play wide on the right and which will slot in at centre-back. Araujo has been the more caution-prone, but Kounde commits almost twice as many fouls per match. And even yet, Rashford may play through the middle, meaning he's going to see plenty of both defenderes.

Again, don't overthink this.

Man United vs Barcelona live stream, TV channel

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