Barcelona vs Manchester United Prediction: Expect an impressive game between two top teams

On February 6 at the Camp Nou, Barcelona hosts Manchester United in the first leg of the Europa League Qualifying Playoff. Both teams are on the rise, showing interesting play and occupying high positions in their respective leagues. The bookmakers consider Barcelona to be the clear favorite, while we'll try to find out if Manchester United has any chance of claiming a positive outcome.

Barcelona

Barcelona was unlucky in the Champions League group stage, with Xavi's team facing a Bayern machine and a problematic Inter, who focused all their energies on making the playoffs. The team played unstable in Serie A, but against Barcelona, they managed to resist. As a result, Barcelona finished only third in their group and followed them into the playoffs of the Europa League. As for the club's form in La Liga, everything is much better. In 21 matches, they scored 56 points. The advantage over Real Madrid is now 11 points. Xavi's team is phenomenal in defense, conceding only seven goals in 21 appearances in the Spanish championship.

Manchester United

Manchester United will surely remember their home loss to Sociedad and their 1:0 away victory over the Spaniards for a long time. Regarding goal difference, the Devils failed to beat another La Liga team in their group and qualified for the playoffs in second place. Naturally, if United had been higher, they would have avoided falling to such a strong opponent as Barcelona. Right now, United has a crazy schedule - playing every three days. The club reached the final of the League Cup, confidently made it to the round of 16 in the FA Cup, and is in third place in the EPL. On the eve of the trip to Camp Nou, the players showed character and snatched a 2:0 away win over Leeds.

Expert Betting Tips

United travel to Barcelona without two key players. First, Lissandro Martinez has to miss the game because of picking up too many cards. The Argentine butcher is indeed a significant player for the club, and his actions with Varan are at a very high level. Sabitzer, the team's rookie back at Bayern, picked up too many cards in the Champions League, so his suspension extends to the upcoming meeting. The Austrian has only played two games for his new club but has already made it clear with his actions that he can be a great backup to Christian Eriksen, who is out until late April or early May.

Barça also has some problems - Dembele and Busquets will not play, as both are injured. Barça is more impressive. Xavi has been at the team's helm longer than ten Hague at United. The hosts are better defensively, the midfield is very confident, and MU sometimes has slumps, especially when Casemiro is not on the pitch. The Brazilian will be back in the visitors' starting line-up, increasing their chances. We expect an exciting game between the two top teams.