Barcelona started the season in the Champions League and they were expected to reach the knockout stage of the competition. However, Barca were only able to finish third in a group that also included Bayern Munich and Inter, with Xavi’s side now dropping into the Europa League where they are among the outright favourites to land this particular piece of silverware.
Barca have been handed a difficult draw although they are a fearsome prospect at Camp Nou considering that they have conceded just one goal in ten La Liga home clashes this season. Eight wins and two draws have seen them score twenty-two goals in front of their own supporters, with Robert Lewandowski the main goal-getter and he’ll be looking to down United.
Manchester United have paid the price for finishing second behind Real Sociedad in their Europa League group and Ten Hag will want to make completely sure of a top four spot in the Premier League. Casemiro could return to the team and the Brazilian has plenty of experience of playing at the Nou Camp for Real Madrid.
The scoring form of Marcus Rashford has also been excellent, with United having won 50% of their away games in the Premier League this season although there have been four defeats along the way. Nevertheless, there has only been one loss in seventeen matches and it could well be worth considering a way to side with the visitors in this crunch European clash.