Tag: Real Betis

Manchester United will look to complete the job they started at Old Trafford last week when they face Real Betis in the second leg of the 2022/23 Europa League season.

Both teams met in the first leg of this tie last week, with United securing a 4-1 win. So the hosts have a mountain to climb to overcome a three-goal deficit against one of Europe’s most in-form teams.

However, Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has refused to give in, with the Chilean saying, “I don’t think a knock-out game is ever over” ahead of a first competitive meeting of the sides on Spanish soil. Pellegrini has good reason to believe that, given he’s lost just one of seven home meetings against United throughout his career (W4, D2), with that record including a 4-1 win over the Red Devils whilst in charge of Manchester City in 2013. 

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But continuing that trend will require Los Verdiblancos to rediscover their home form, with Betis having won just one of their last seven games at Estadio Benito Villamarín, including three losses from their last five matches.

Manchester United have one leg in the next round after that dominant first-leg win. Yet the Red Devils cannot take anything for granted at this tournament stage.

The visitors have already avoided defeat on two UEL trips to Spain this term (W1, D1), and a third successful visit will secure their safe passage into the quarter-finals as their three-pronged trophy hunt continues. Erik ten Hag’s men won all three of their European road trips in the group stage, although a return of just two wins from six away games in 2023 (D2, L2) suggests United can be vulnerable away from Old Trafford.

But they will be confident of seeing this through, having lost just once in their last 14 competitive games (W10, D3).

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Manchester United will look to get back to winning ways when they host Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie.

The hosts suffered their most-embarrassing defeat under Erik ten Hag last time when they were beaten by their fierce rivals Liverpool at Anfield. In a shocking second-half display, the Red Devils conceded six times on their way to a 7-0 loss to Liverpool.

The loss was their biggest loss ever to Liverpool and ended a run of eleven games without defeat for United (W9, D2). Ten Hag declared after the match that his side’s performance at Anfield must not be repeated. However, he will hope that his boys can pick themselves up at Old Trafford, where they have been unbeaten since September (W17, D2). 

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However, United have a poor history against Spanish teams. The Red Devil’s last defeat on their own turf was to Spanish opposition in the form of Real Sociedad in this season’s group stage. However, optimistic Old Trafford faithful will feel that the loss came too far back as United recently defeated Barcelona 2-1 at this Stadium.

Real Betis will hope to avoid the fate of Barca when they travel to Old Trafford for the first time. The Spanish side come into this fixture in decent form, having not tasted defeat in their last four competitive games (W3, D1). 

They held UCL champions Real Madrid to a goalless draw at the weekend to ensure they remain just three points adrift of the top four in La Liga. Los Verdiblancos are strong on the road, where they have won each of their last three road trips, with the last two decided by a 3-2 scoreline. 

The Andalusian side are also unbeaten in five UEL matches away from home (W4, D1). Moreover, they qualified through the group stages without tasting defeat (W5, D1), so they’re unlikely to be intimidated by the boisterous Old Trafford crowd.

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