Villarreal vs Man United betting picks – Europa League final

The 2021 UEFA Europa League final sees La Liga side Villarreal come up against English Premier League giants Manchester United in Gdansk, Poland, with the winner to take home some silverware and gain automatic qualification into next year’s Champions League.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be out to claim his first trophy as manager of Manchester United, but he will be sweating on the fitness of club captain Harry Maguire (ankle) ahead of Wednesday night’s matchup. Even so, the 2017 Europa League champions come in as hot favourites on the back of an 8-5 aggregate win over Roma in the semi-finals.

Standing in their way is Unai Emery, the former Arsenal manager who masterminded a 2-1 aggregate victory against his old side in the semis. Emery has taken out the Europa League three times as manager and will be confident he can add a fourth with the likes of Gerard Moreno at his disposal. Moreno has been directly involved in 11 of Villarreal’s 27 goals in this competition.

Soccer bookmakers have installed Villarreal as outsiders in the final as +375 outsiders, with Manchester United odds-on at -120.48 to take out their second Europa League title.

Villarreal vs Manchester United match analysis

Villarreal are one of few Spanish sides to be undefeated against Manchester United in head-to-head battles. That stat comes on a technicality, though, with all of their four previous matchups ending in goalless draws. We expect this final to be full of goal-scoring opportunities, with Villarreal being the third-highest scoring team in the Europa League (27 goals). Despite their 0-0 draw on the second leg against Arsenal, El Submarino Amarillo have plenty of potent weapons in attack with the likes of Gerard Moreno and Paco Alcacer set to give the United backline plenty of headaches.

There is no doubt Manchester United have the stronger squad heading into the Europa League final. With the creative genius that is Bruno Fernandes, and an in-form attacking trio of Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford, they are bound to give Villarreal’s defence nightmares on Wednesday night. Fernandes and Cavani have five goals each in this competition, and if they both hit the scoresheet in the final, it should be one step too far for Villarreal to pull it back.

2021 Europa League Final betting predictions

Correct score: Manchester United 3-2

Despite all four previous meetings between these two sides ending in 0-0 draws, the 2021 Europa League final has the potential to be full of goals. We expect the result to be decided in 90 minutes with both attacks flexing their muscles. Led by the likes of Rashford, Cavani and Fernandes, we are backing United to lift their first trophy under Solskjaer with a 3-2 victory.

Anytime goalscorer: Edinson Cavani

In just four Europa League games for Manchester United, Edinson Cavani has found the back of the net on five occasions. That includes a brace in the second leg of the semi-final against Roma. There will be no excuses for Cavani on Wednesday night, with precision passing expected from a midfield with the likes of Fernandes, McTominay and Fred. The Uruguayan will prove a key pillar in United’s chances of claiming their second Europa League trophy.

Same game parlay: 3 legs @ +780

Despite history pointing towards a goalless draw, both of these sides have plenty of attacking weapons. Manchester United should have too much quality in the end, with Cavani finding the back of the net again in an entertaining affair.