Club Brugge vs Manchester United betting tips: Europa League match preview & predictions

Club Brugge have struggled in Europe this season.

Manchester United have kept four clean sheets in a row in all competitions – their best run in over two years. The Europa League provides them with a route to next season’s Champions League.

Club Brugge host Manchester United at the Jan Breydelstadion on Thursday night for the first leg of their Europa League round of 32 tie. They moved down to the Europa League knockout stage after finished 3rd in their Champions League group after they picked up just three points from six matches in Group A.

Manchester United finished as winners of Group L with four wins, one draw and one defeat, conceded two goals in six matches – the best defensive record in the tournament this season.

This will be the third UEFA meeting between the two sides and the first since 2015.

Club Brugge team news

Clinton Mata and Krepin Diatta back from suspension after they were banned for Club Brugge’s final Champions League group game against Real Madrid.

Simon Mignolet will start in goal.

Michael Krmencik is expected to lead the line with Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis who has scored three goals in the Europe this season.

Brugge will be without Sofyan Amrabat and Dion Cools following their departures in January.

Manchester United team news

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could make a number of changes to the side which beat Chelsea.

Sergio Romero will start in goal in place of David de Gea.

Eric Bailly marked his comeback at Stamford Bridge. Phil Jones should partner Harry Maguire at centre-back as Victor Lindelof remains a doubt through illness.

Odion Ighalo is in line to make his full Manchester United debut.

Andreas Pereira, Diogo Dalot, Mason Greenwood and Juan Mata will all be eyeing some game time.

Scott McTominay and Axel Tuanzebe have both recovered from injury.

Youngsters James Garner, Ethan Laird and Tahith Chong all featured in United’s last Europa League match in December.

Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford remain long-term injury absentees for the Red Devils.