Granada are in their first-ever season of European football and thus far, it has been a very successful one. On Thursday night, Los Rojiblancos will host Manchester United in the Europa League quarterfinals at Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium. Manager Diego Martinez led the side past Italy’s Napoli in the Europa League last 32 before eliminating Norway’s Molde in the last 16.

Granda will now face their most difficult opponent in the Europa League as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side come to town. Manchester United eliminated Spain’s Real Sociedad in the last 32 with ease before knocking out AC Milan 2-1 on aggregate. The Red Devils won the 2016-17 edition of the Europa League under the leadership of Jose Mourinho. Solskjaer is attempting to duplicate the feat Mourinho accomplished.

The Red Devils go into the game following a 2-1 win at the weekend at home against Brighton. They are in good form heading into the game, winning three of their last four games. The Europa League is the only competition left in which Solskjaer can land silverware. Manchester United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Leicester City and sit 14 points behind Manchester City with eight games left to play in the league season.

Granada’s eggs are all in the Europa League basket. They are 10 points off of European qualification for next season. Meanwhile, they are 12 points ahead of the relegation zone. Los Rojiblancos have nothing to lose and will play as thus on Thursday night.

Granada vs Manchester United Betting Odds

 

Granda head into the game as the underdogs and are at odds of 26/5 to upset Manchester United at home on Thursday night. Granada are in poor form going into the game having lost their last three games. After losing 2-1 to Molde in the second leg of the Europa League last 16, they lost back-to-back La Liga matches to Valencia and Villarreal.

Martinez’s team have been good at Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium in 2020-21. They have posed a record of 12W-5D-L in all competitions. They have outscored opponents 30 to 23 at home. Ten times this season they have kept clean sheets at home. Los Rojiblancos have not played teams as strong as Manchester United on regular basis and they could struggle mightily in the final third.

Manchester United are at odds of 4/6 to win at full-time versus Granada. They have been on a good run of form in all competitions. Solskjaer’s team have posted a record of 15W-6D-3L in all competitions this season. They have outscored opponents 46 to 22. Eleven times this season the Red Devils have kept clean sheets on their travels.

The teams are at odds of 14/5 to finish in a draw in the Europa League first leg match. Granada have had a remarkable streak in their first-ever Europa League campaign. They started in the Europa League second qualifying round. Los Rojiblancos were runners-up to PSV Eindhoven in Group E before moving to the knockout stage.

Granada vs Manchester United Team News

Martinez has six players on the injury list going into the midweek European fixture. Midfielder Luis Milla is a doubt due to a hamstring injury. Midfielder Alberto Soro is likely to miss out following a knee injury. Defender Dmitri Foulquier could be back from a hamstring injury. Forward Luis Javier Suarez may also be available following a hamstring strain. Defenders Pep Sanchez and Neyder Lozano are both likely to miss the game through their respective injuries.

Solskjaer is sweating the fitness of a few players ahead of the game on Thursday in Spain. Marcus Rashford is nursing an ankle injury and could miss the game. Meanwhile, it isn’t good news for the likes of Eric Bailly and Juan Mata. The duo is currently ruled out of the fixture. Solskjaer will hope that forward Anthony Martial can win a fitness race to be included. As it stands, he is ruled out following an injury during the March international break.

Although Manchester United defeated Real Sociedad 4-0 in Turin in the round of 32 first leg, they have won a mere four times in 27 away fixtures versus Spanish opponents – 4W-11D-11L. Their most recent win in Spain came in the semifinal first leg of the 2016-17 Europa League against Celta Vigo. They managed a 1-0 win on that occasion.

Granada vs Manchester United Prediction

Both teams to score: YES @ 11/10 - BET NOW

 

Granada have made the most of the home legs in the Europa League knockout rounds. Los Rojiblancos won both home legs of those ties defeating Napoli 2-0 and Molde 2-0. They went on to lose the second legs played away from home. Both away legs finished 2-1 and Granda advanced thanks to their play at home. Expect another good home performance.

Bruno Fernandes to score anytime @ 8/5 - BET NOW

 

Bruno Fernandes failed to score in each of his last two league games for Manchester United. He did set up a goal last weekend to push his Premier League assist number 11 in 30 matches. Fernandes has been by and large Manchester United’s best player in 2020-21. He has scored 23 times in 46 matches. Two of those goals have come in four Europa League games. Without Fernandes, Manchester United do not reach the Europa League quarterfinals and are a mid-table Premier League team.

Under 2.5 goals scored @ 41/50 - BET NOW

 

If Granada are going to put up a fight in the quarterfinals against Manchester United, they will play their best at home. Martinez’s team have put all of their eggs into the Europa League basket. They have nothing else to play for this season and will fancy their chances of upsetting the expensively assembled Red Devils.

Manchester United are the odds-on favourite to win the Europa League according to leading sportsbooks. They are at odds of 31/20. Granada are at odds of 50/1 to win the competition. Remember that Manchester United were favourites last season at one point but were knocked out by Sevilla. Can Solskjaer bring home the trophy? If he is to lead them to silverware, they must play well in Spain on Thursday night.

Granada vs Manchester United Tips

Here are our Granada vs Manchester United tips for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final 1st leg match.

1. Both teams to score: YES @ 11/10

2. Bruno Fernandes to score anytime @ 8/5

3. Under 2.5 goals scored @ 41/50