Granada vs Manchester United betting tips: Preview, predictions & odds

By Andrew Thompson Published: April 8, 2021 7:22 am
Last Updated: April 8, 2021 7:51 am

Granada CF

0

-

2

Manchester United FC

Match ended

Show players

90'

Fernandes, Bruno

Eteki, Yan

89'

Soldado, Roberto
Suarez, Luis

87'

Gonalons, Maxime
Eteki, Yan

86'

85'

Greenwood, Mason
van de Beek, Donny

84'

Matic, Nemanja

Kenedy, Robert
Machis, Darwin

75'

Neva, Carlos
Foulquier, Dimitri

75'

74'

Pogba, Paul
Matic, Nemanja

72'

Maguire, Harry

66'

Rashford, Marcus
Cavani, Edinson

Duarte, Domingos
Sanchez, German

54'

Duarte, Domingos

51'

46'

Shaw, Luke
Telles, Alex

42'

Shaw, Luke

40'

McTominay, Scott

31'

Rashford, Marcus

8'

Pogba, Paul

Starting lineup

Silva, Rui1

Diaz, Victor16

Duarte, Domingos22

Vallejo, Jesus20

Neva, Carlos15

Kenedy, Robert24

Gonalons, Maxime4

Montoro, Angel19

Herrera, Yangel21

Puertas, Antonio10

Soldado, Roberto9

1De Gea, David

29Wan-Bissaka, Aaron

5Maguire, Harry

2Lindelof, Victor

23Shaw, Luke

21James, Daniel

39McTominay, Scott

18Fernandes, Bruno

6Pogba, Paul

10Rashford, Marcus

11Greenwood, Mason

Substitutes

Escandell, Aaron13

Fabrega, Arnau31

Perez, Nehuen3

Sanchez, German6

Foulquier, Dimitri2

Eteki, Yan8

Suarez, Luis7

Machis, Darwin11

Molina, Jorge23

13Grant, Lee

26Henderson, Dean

38Tuanzebe, Axel

27Telles, Alex

33Williams, Brandon

34van de Beek, Donny

8Mata, Juan

17Fred

31Matic, Nemanja

7Cavani, Edinson

19Traore, Amad

56Elanga, Anthony

Granada vs Manchester United betting tips

This article covers Granada vs Manchester United betting tips and predictions, and these are the betting odds.

o – Granada 11/2

o – Draw 3/1

o – Manchester United 0.53/1

Note: All odds mentioned in this article are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.

Granada vs Manchester United: Match details

Match: Granada vs Manchester United

Competition: UEFA Europa League

Date: April 8, 2021

Kick-off time: 8:00 pm, April 8, 2021 (UK time)

Stadium: Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes

Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish League football match between Granada and Barcelona at the Los Carmenes stadium in Granada on January 9, 2021. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP) (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images)

Betting prediction: Granada 1-1 Manchester United

Granada to draw 1-1 vs Manchester United

Betting odds: 13/2

The clear and undeniable remaining underdog of the competition, Granada is set to host English giants Manchester United in Andalusia on one of the biggest nights in the history of the club. The Spanish outfit comes into the quarterfinals after besting Swedish giants Molde in the round of 16, but also hipster favorite Napoli in the first knockout stage in what was an unexpected result over two legs. After smashing Real Sociedad 4-0 in the first leg of the first knockout round, United have bagged just two goals in their last three Europa League fixtures, and that struggle could cost them against a Granada outfit that is sure to try to make themselves as difficult to break down as possible. It may require two legs for the Red Devils to guarantee their passage into the semi-finals.

Granada vs Manchester United: Recommended bets

Result/Both Teams to Score: Draw – Yes

This is one of two results that seem likely on the surface. An all-hands-on-deck, well-earned home draw for Granada, or Manchester United routing them off the pitch by half-time. But United have struggled for goals in recent Europa League fixtures, scoring just two in their last three outings (0-0, 1-1, 1-0). United may need the second-leg at Old Trafford if they are to progress in the competition, especially without Anthony Martial and if Marcus Rashford does not pass fit for service on Thursday.

To Score Last: Bruno Fernandes

This is a manner of doubling down on the theory that United will not walk the result in Andalusia. Granada is capable of hitting their opposition on the break and certainly will not walk out against the Red Devils to try to dominate proceedings. As United hammers away, they could certainly find themselves a goal behind and in need of an escape act. Bruno Fernandes’ goal record this season makes him a prime candidate to help manufacture such an escape.

Granada vs Manchester United: What are the betting odds?

Granada vs Manchester United – recent form and head to head statistics

Granada vs Manchester United: Match preview

Granada is the cinderella story that Football Manager saves are made of; it is hard to believe that what is transpiring in Andalusia is real life. Lead by young manager Diego Martínez, the 40-year-old native of Vigo has helped Granada climb from the Spanish second division, to the Europa League quarterfinals this term while sitting in mid-table in La Liga. This, off the back of his second season in charge at the club during the 2019-20 campaign that saw them finish seventh. They may be the true dark horse left in the competition, but Martínez has orchestrated considerable success in a short space of time.

Having unexpectedly bounced Napoli in the first knockout round after finishing just one point behind PSV Eindhoven in group stage play, Martínez’s men then ousted a Molde side who themselves went above and beyond when they sent TSG Hoffenheim crashing out early. They have not scored many goals overall either, hitting just six in six while in Group E and a further six in the knockout stages. Twelve in ten hardly makes them a vaunted attacking outfit – and the same is reflected in La Liga where they have hit only 34-goals in 29 fixtures – but their defensive record in Europe has been impressive.

Nazaríes have surrendered just seven goals in ten Europa League matches across both stages thus far, with five cleansheets to their name as well. But their weakness thus far – at least in the knockout round – has been their results away from home. A pair of 2-0 home wins against Napoli and Molde was enough to secure them passage into the next round each time, despite losing the away leg 2-1 on both occasions. Granada find themselves in a similar position yet again, but this time they’ll face a Manchester United outfit that is arguably the favorite out of the remaining field. It will take everything Granada can muster if they are to continue finding results at home and forcing their opposition into their hands, and to lose the first leg against United would likely put the two-legged affair to bed before the second installment even kicked-off at Old Trafford.

Mason Greenwood could be the vital piece for Manchester United

It is a weird discussion to have if you are in a Manchester United camp that is struggling for goals lately when one of your center-forwards is Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan frontman has been one of the better strikers in Europe for the majority of is career on the continent, but while he was meant to help United kick on in the Premier League and give them an elite-level center-forward for the first time since a prime Robin van Persie or Wayne Rooney, the former PSG, Napoli, and Palermo hit man has hardly had the impact many would have expected.

But there are some that suggest a solution that is already at the club in the mould of youngster Mason Greenwood. The versatile English youngster has so often been deployed wide on the right during his time at Old Trafford, but it can be postulated that his key strengths as a forward would perhaps be better suited to supplant Cavani through the center-forward channel for the remainder of the season. Quick both on and off the ball, technically competent, able to hold up play and bring others into the fold, but also eager to get into the box and look to test the keeper, the England international has the profile of a modern leading striker, where by comparison, Cavani seems to be more willing to just try to get on the end of service despite his physical frame being akin to a forward who could – and should be – more well-rounded.

This could be especially required against a side like Granada that will try their utmost to frustrate United’s attempts at getting into the final third with any amount of space to operate. A poacher like Cavani could certainly be starved for service if the Andalusians remain resolute at the back. A forward like Greenwood could be the key in trying to shift Granada’s defensive lines out of their rigid shape to either create space for himself, or a run from deep for the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, or a diagonal run into the area from Daniel James should the Welsh international feature in proceedings.

Whether Ole Gunnar Solskjær turns to this idea on Thursday remains to be seen, but should Manchester United struggle to get a result in Spain in the first leg, it is entirely plausible that he could well give it a shot in the return leg at the Theatre of Dreams.

Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood (left) and Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi (right) battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Sunday February 28, 2021. (Photo by Ian Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)

Granada team news vs Manchester United

Diego Martínez will have to contend with the absence of as many as six players when Granada hosts Manchester United.

Neyder Lozano, Luis Suárez, Luis Milla, and Quini are all sure to be unavailable. Dimitri Foulquier, Carlos Neva, and Alberto Soro are all listed as doubts as well.

Manchester United team news vs Granada

Anthony Martial, Juan Mata, and Phil Jones are all unavailable to Ole Gunnar Solskjær through injury.

Alex Telles could miss out again through illness, while Eric Bailly contracted Covid-19 while on international duty.

Marcus Rashford is also a doubt after being substituted against Brighton during the weekend due to a knock picked up against Graham Potter’s Seagulls.

Predicted Granada line-up vs Manchester United

Predicted Manchester United line-up vs Granada

Granada vs Manchester United – Official videos

– 101 Great Goals may earn commission from links on this page. Our content is always original. Note that all of our reviewers are compensated for contributing content to 101 Great Goals. Learn more.