Manchester United is set to face PAOK Thessaloniki FC at Old Trafford in the 4th round of the Europa League. This fixture is crucial for both teams, as Manchester United is currently 21st with three points, while PAOK sits 30th with just one point. Interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy emphasised the match’s importance, as a win is vital for United to stay in contention.
With five key players out, including Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, United’s lineup will see some significant changes. PAOK also faces injury issues, making the contest even more unpredictable. The weather forecast calls for scattered clouds and a cool 5°C, perfect football weather.
Given the current form of both teams, our match prediction endorses a competitive game. A good betting tip would be to bet on both teams to score, as both squads have shown the capability to find the net in recent games. The recent draw and win against b opponents put Manchester United as the bookmaker’s favourite.
Manchester United vs. PAOK Thessaloniki FC Prediction & Betting tip
Given both teams’ recent form and stats, our recommended betting tip for this match is: “Both teams to score: yes”.
| Manchester United vs. PAOK Thessaloniki FC Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Both teams to score: yes | 1.95 |
- Both teams have demonstrated goal-scoring capabilities, with Manchester United averaging 2.00 goals and PAOK averaging 1.80 goals in their last five games.
- Manchester United’s recent form includes competitive matches against b teams, making them a bookmaker favorite, but they haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last five games.
- PAOK’s recent form shows improvement and resilience, having bounced back with two consecutive wins, indicating they can find the net despite being the underdog.
Manchester United vs. PAOK Thessaloniki FC Odds
Considering the form and current standings of both teams, the odds for the upcoming match are significantly in favour of Manchester United.
| Manchester United vs. PAOK Thessaloniki FC Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Manchester United | 1.20 |
| Draw | 7.02 |
| PAOK Thessaloniki FC | 12.64 |
Manchester United, the bookmakers’ favourite, have better odds of 1.20 to secure a win at home. PAOK Thessaloniki, on the other hand, are the underdogs with odds of 12.64, reflecting their lower position and the challenging task at Old Trafford. A draw, while possible, stands at odds of 7.02, indicating a relatively unlikely outcome according to the bookmakers
Manchester United Team Analysis
Manchester United Recent Performance DWLDW
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | Chelsea | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Manchester United | Leicester City | 5-2 (Win) |
| West Ham United | Manchester United | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Fenerbahce | Manchester United | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Manchester United | Brentford | 2-1 (Win) |
Manchester United have shown decent form in their recent outings, with two wins, two draws, and a single loss. Despite averaging 2.00 goals scored per match in their last five games, they have failed to keep a single clean sheet, which highlights some defensive vulnerabilities. Their last five matches exhibit varied results, including high-scoring wins against Leicester City and narrow victories such as the one against Brentford. They also managed a respectable draw against Fenerbahce away, showcasing resilience in tough fixtures.
Manchester United Key Players
Manchester United’s key players for this match include their top scorer Christian Eriksen, although his participation is doubtful due to injury. However, their offensive lineup remains b with Marcus Rashford on the wing and Bruno Fernandes orchestrating the midfield. The defensive line, helmed by André Onana in goal, includes notable players like Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez. Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte are anchoring the midfield, adding robustness to their formation.
Expected lineup for Manchester United:
- Goalkeeper: André Onana
- Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans, Diogo Dalot
- Midfielders: Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes
- Attackers: Amad Diallo, Marcus Rashford, Joshua Zirkzee
Key individual battles to watch include Rashford vs. Jonny and Fernandes vs. Camara, which could be pivotal in determining the match outcome.
Manchester United Suspensions & Injuries
Manchester United faces several injury concerns ahead of their Europa League clash against PAOK Thessaloniki FC, which could significantly impact their lineup. The team will be without key defenders and midfielders, potentially challenging their defensive solidity and midfield strength.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Tyrell Malacia | Knee surgery | Late November 2024 |
| Leny Yoro | Leg injury | Back in training |
| Luke Shaw | Calf Injury | Late November 2024 |
| Mason Mount | Head injury | Doubtful |
| Harry Maguire | Ankle injury | Doubtful |
| Kobbie Mainoo | Muscle injury | Doubtful |
| Antony Matheus dos Santos | Ankle injury | Doubtful |
| Toby Collyer | Knock injury | Doubtful |
| Christian Eriksen | Knock injury | Doubtful |
The absence of Maguire, Shaw, and Malacia could weaken United’s backline, while doubts over Eriksen and Mount might deplete their creative options. This scenario necessitates a restructured game plan from coach Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Manchester United Tactics and Formation
Manchester United Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Joshua Zirkzee
- Midfield Trio: Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes
- Defensive Setup: No clean sheets in the last five games
- Notable Strategy: High pressing and attacking through the wings
Ruud van Nistelrooy is likely to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring Andre Onana in goal and a backline of Mazraoui, de Ligt, Evans, and Dalot. Casemiro and Ugarte will anchor the midfield, offering defensive solidity while linking up with the attackers.
Bruno Fernandes will be the creative hub, flanked by Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford. Joshua Zirkzee is expected to spearhead the attack. Despite their defensive frailties, United will look to press high and exploit PAOK Thessaloniki’s defensive gaps.
PAOK Thessaloniki FC Team Analysis
PAOK Thessaloniki FC Recent Performance WWLDD
PAOK Thessaloniki FC has shown a mixed bag of performances recently, boasting two wins, one loss, and two draws in their last five matches. Their form can be described as competitive, managing to secure points consistently but struggling somewhat in high-pressure situations.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Lamia | PAOK Thessaloniki FC | 1-2 (Win) |
| Egaleo | PAOK Thessaloniki FC | 0-3 (Win) |
| PAOK Thessaloniki FC | OFI Crete | 1-2 (Loss) |
| PAOK Thessaloniki FC | Viktoria Plzeň | 2-2 (Draw) |
| AEK Athens | PAOK Thessaloniki FC | 1-1 (Draw) |
- Recent Form: WWLDD
- Average Goals Scored: 1.80
- Clean Sheets in Last 5 Games: 1 Coming off two consecutive wins, PAOK looks to build momentum. Despite an overall struggle, their goal-scoring ability remains a positive, having consistently found the net.
PAOK Thessaloniki FC Key Players
Expected lineup for PAOK Thessaloniki FC:
- Goalkeeper: Dominik Kotarski
- Defenders: Jonny, Omar Colley, Tomasz Kędziora, Abdul-Rahman Baba
- Midfielders: Mady Camara, Magomed Ozdoev, Tiemoué Bakayoko
- Attackers: Brandon, Kiril Despodov, Taison
PAOK will rely heavily on their top scorer, Tarik Tissoudali, despite him having only netted once so far. Defensive solidity from players like Omar Colley and Tomasz Kędziora will be crucial against Manchester United’s potent attack.
Mady Camara’s battle in the midfield against Casemiro could define the game’s tempo. Keep an eye on Kiril Despodov, whose pace and versatility can challenge United’s defense.
PAOK Thessaloniki FC Suspensions & Injuries
PAOK Thessaloniki FC will be missing a few key players due to injuries that might affect their performance against Manchester United. Injuries:
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Antonis Tsiftsis | Muscle injury | Unknown |
| Giannis Konstantelias | Virus | A few weeks |
| Thomas Murg | Unknown | Unknown |
Currently, PAOK Thessaloniki FC has no suspensions affecting their lineup. These absences, particularly in the midfield and defensive areas, could pose significant challenges for Razvan Lucescu’s squad. The absence of Thomas Murg may reduce their creative midfield strength, and missing Antonis Tsiftsis could weaken their defensive solidity. Razvan Lucescu will need to strategize effectively to cover these gaps against a b Manchester United side.
PAOK Thessaloniki FC Tactics and Formation
PAOK Thessaloniki FC Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Key Forward: Kiril Despodov
- Midfield Trio: Mady Camara, Magomed Ozdoev, Tiemoué Bakayoko
- Defensive Strength: One clean sheet in the last five games
- Notable Strategy: Utilizes solid midfield control to dominate possession
PAOK are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation with Dominik Kotarski in goal. The back four will feature Jonny and Abdul-Rahman Baba as full-backs, and Omar Colley alongside Tomasz Kedziora in the center. The midfield trio of Camara, Ozdoev, and Bakayoko will look to break up play and support the attack. In the forward line, Despodov, Brandon, and Taison will aim to exploit spaces behind Manchester United’s defense. PAOK’s strategy revolves around leveraging their midfield strength to maintain possession and orchestrate attacks with precision.
Manchester United vs. PAOK Thessaloniki FC Head-to-Head Statistics
As there is no previous head-to-head information provided, we can assume that Manchester United and PAOK Thessaloniki FC have not faced each other before in the Europa League. This makes the upcoming match an intriguing contest, with both teams looking to establish an initial footprint in their budding rivalry. Given Manchester United’s formidable home record in this competition and PAOK’s recent form turnaround, it promises to be an exciting encounter at Old Trafford. Fans can look forward to a fresh and competitive matchup that might set the stage for future encounters between these two clubs.
Venue and Weather
The match will take place at the iconic Old Trafford, which boasts a seating capacity of approximately 74,000. Known as the “Theatre of Dreams,” it’s a fortress for Manchester United, especially in European competitions.
For the upcoming fixture, the weather is expected to be quite chilly, with temperatures around 5°C. The humidity will be at 81%, with a wind speed of 1.75 m/s and scattered clouds. These conditions could affect the gameplay, particularly for PAOK Thessaloniki FC, who aren’t as accustomed to colder climates. Manchester United might leverage their home advantage and familiarity with such weather to dictate the pace of the game. This factors into their strategic planning, likely emphasizing quick passing and maintaining possession to mitigate the cold’s impact on performance.
Where to Watch Manchester United vs PAOK Thessaloniki FC
The epic clash between Mancheser United and PAOK Thessaloniki FC UEFA Europa League match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 1 HD, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 3 HD, Sony Sports Ten 5 and Sony Sports Ten 5 HD TV channels in India. For the OTT users, the live streaming of the UEFA Europa League matches in India will be available on SonyLIV.
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