Celta Vigo Up Against It in Europa League

Europa League | Preview

04/05/17

Celta Vigo Up Against It in Europa League

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The 2016/17 UEFA Europa League has reached the semi-final stage and the favourites for the tournament, Manchester United, have been drawn against Celta Vigo. The first leg takes place at the Estadio de Balaídos, Vigo.

The Europa League is the only remaining competition both Celta Vigo and Manchester United can win this season. Celta Vigo currently sit 11th in La Liga and will fail to qualify for Europe next season, unless they win the Europa League.

Manchester United are facing the prospect of missing out on the top four positions in the Premier League and although they could qualify for the Europa League next season, realistically they need to win it this season, if they want to play Champions League football in 2017/18.

Trends show Celta Vigo have been finding things tough of late, especially in La Liga. Eduardo Berizzo’s team have lost their last three league matches, two of which were home games. In terms of competing at the top of the table or battling against relegation, Celta Vigo have nothing to play for but the dip in form has come at the wrong time as far as this match is concerned.

Celta Vigo have won two of their previous eight matches in all competitions and have struggled to pick up wins when playing at home. They have won only four of their previous twelve matches at the Estadio de Balaídos, which is not ideal ahead of this game.

Manchester United travel to Spain having dropped more points in the race for the Premier League top four. In truth, they could easily have lost the match at Old Trafford to Swansea and will probably be happy to leave Old Trafford and the Premier League behind on Thursday night.

Although the draw with Swansea was a disappointment, it’s now eleven games in all competitions without defeat for Jose Mourinho’s men. In fact, Manchester United have tasted defeat only twice in their previous forty matches, which highlights just how tough to beat they have become under Mourinho this season.

Away from home in the Europa League, Manchester United have won two and drawn two of their last four games, including two 1-1 draws in the recent knockout stages of the competition. Celta Vigo have won their last two home Europa League games, defeating Krasnodar and Genk.

Looking at the team news and the unfortunate Giuseppe Rossi will miss out on playing his old club as he attempts to recover from a serious knee injury. The only other concerns for Celta Vigo are Ruben Blanco and Carles Planas, who are rated as doubtful.

Manchester United’s injury list continues to grow and they could be without a recognised central defender for this match. Paul Pogba may make a return to the starting XI but defensively, the Red Devils are really struggling.

Key absentees at the back is going to make a clean sheet difficult for Manchester United. However, being away from home, goals are important and other than Zlatan Ibrahimovic they have their key forwards available. Celta Vigo have kept only one clean sheet in six Europa League home games this season and this match could easily end in a score draw, with the away team the happier of the two sides.