For our Man Utd vs. Real Betis prediction, we're going for a 2-1 win for the home side.
One of the most interesting ties of the Europa League last 16 takes place at Old Trafford this week as Manchester United face Real Betis.
Manchester United reached the last 16 of the Europa League by finishing 2nd in Europa League Group E, a ground containing Real Sociedad, Sheriff Tiraspol and Omonoia Nicosia.
There's only one place to start here: Anfield. Manchester United enter this game fresh off the back of a historic drubbing at the home of fierce rivals Liverpool, when Jurgen Klopp's men put the beating of a lifetime on The Red Devils in a 7-0 rout on Sunday afternoon.
In what many are calling the worst result in Manchester United's illustrious history, Erik ten Hag's men seemed utterly rattled by Liverpool's intensity combined with the Anfield atmosphere and looked like they were going to concede a goal every time Liverpool attacked.
The loss has somewhat undone the huge strides United have taken this season towards becoming a competitive side again, and while that defeat cannot totally erase what they've done so far it certainly makes one recalibrate their view of how far they've actually progressed this season.
Looking on the bright side of things, the defeat was United's first in twelve games and having played a number of high stakes, emotionally draining games in the week prior to Anfield one could see how a poor performance could rear its head.
Still, there are never any excuses for 7-0 and Erik ten Hag now has a monumental job on his hands trying to prepare his players for another big game.
Can they exorcise the disappointing of Sunday and respond at the first opportunity? Time will tell, but it makes this game much more interesting.
Real Betis reached the last 16 of the Europa League by finishing top of Group C, a group containing AS Roma, Ludogorets and HJK.
Betis are having a fine campaign this season as they currently sit 5th in the table, well in the mix for a Champions League spot as they sit just three points behind Real Sociedad in 4th.
They enter this game in good form having won three and drawn one of their last four matches, the most recent of which was a 0-0 draw against Real Madrid.
Their away form has been impressive of late, too, having won four and lost one of their last five matches on the road.
Betis will be delighted with the result at Anfield on Sunday and may feel like they've got United at exactly the right time. That could backfire, of course, but this is shaping up to be a competitive tie.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of our previews, tips and offers for this weekend’s action.
