Manchester United vs Barcelona prediction for Europa League ~ Football vows

A 2-2 first leg draw in Barcelona leaves the Europa League tie perfectly poised as Man United return home to Old Trafford where who reaches the round of 16 will be decided

Manchester United and Barcelona could not be separated in the first leg, but will need to be when they meet at Old Trafford when Europa League progression is decided

Predicting a winner between Manchester United and Barcelona ahead of their Europa League knockout round play-off second leg at Old Trafford is too close to call, according to a supercomputer.

Barcelona opened the scoring in the first leg just after half-time with a goal from a pair of familiar faces when former Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso headed home a corner from ex-Leeds United winger Raphinha. That lead did not last for long, though, as that man Marcus Rashford equalised from a tight angle.

United then completed the turnaround just before the hour mark when Jules Kounde inadvertently turned in a Rashford cross that Bruno Fernandes had flicked into the path of the Barcelona defender. The hosts would deny Erik ten Hag a historic victory at the Camp Nou late on, though, as Raphinha’s whipped delivery aimed for Robert Lewandowski in the middle evaded everyone, including David de Gea and ended up in the United net.

Watch :Rashford’s Goal against Barcelona last time out

FiveThirtyEight heavily favoured Barcelona winning the first leg at home, giving the Catalan club a 57% chance of victory compared to United’s just 19% and the eventual draw at 23%. These percentages have tightened up to such an extent ahead of the reverse fixture that both clubs are given a 37% chance of triumphing, with the remaining 25% chance of a draw, which would require extra-time or even a penalty shootout to decide who progresses.

Ten Hag has been given an injury boost ahead of the match with Anthony and Harry Maguire set to return. Antony has missed the last four games having picked up a leg injury while Maguire was sidelined for the win against Leicester with a knee injury.

Despite the match predictions being even, their data-driven predictions for the competition as a whole make Barcelona the ever so slight favourites to advance to the round of 16. Xavi’s side are given a 51% chance of progressing, compared to United’s 49%

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