Club Brugge will hope to catch Manchester United on the tough side of the fixture pile-up, when they welcome the English giants in this first leg match of the UEFA Europa League round of 32 contest.
Brugge finished third in their UEFA Champions League group stage this season, with three draws and three losses. This is the fifth time that the Belgian club is appearing in the Europa league round of 32. However, they do not have a good record at this stage previously. Bruges have lost three of their previous four ties, crashing out at this stage. Nevertheless, they are on an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions, winning four and drawing four. Playing at home, the record reads four wins in their last five competitive matches, drawing the other. That said, Brugge had their problems in the Champions League this season losing their last two home games.
United’s criss-cross season continues to be mediocre as the ‘Red Devils’ struggle for consistency. Way off the top-four in the Premier League and finding themselves in the middle of a top-six fight, United’s only hope of silverware this season remains the Europa League. They have done really well in the group stages, topping Group ‘L’ with a record of W4, D1, L1. The loss came after their progression from the group is confirmed. The loss to Astana on Matchday five remains United’s only Europa League loss for 17 matches – winning 12 and drawing four. United travel here with just one loss in their last nine Europa League away matches, although that came in their most recent travel. Conversely, they have struggled for results against lower-ranked sides on the road.
Club Brugge haven’t had a good time against Premier League opposition, losing eight and drawing two of their last ten such matches. Furthermore, they have won only one of their previous four round of 32 ties in the Europa League, and have lost the last season to Salzburg. Manchester United have happy memories of this stage, having won each of their last three round of 32 ties. However, their away record in the European competitions – including the Champions League – has taken a hit with just one win and two losses in their last four such games. Add to that the fact that they have played Chelsea just three days before – United have a tough ask in this game. They will be happy to go home with a clean sheet or after conceding only few. We are backing the teams to struggle with their scoring and provide a dull game.