Sevilla FC
vs
Manchester United
Kick-off
19:45 GMT
21 February 2018
With Champions League knockout football returning to Europe last week, there are four more fixtures to come this week, two on Tuesday and two on Wednesday. The bigger of the two matches on Wednesday involves Manchester United’s trip to sunny Spain to face Sevilla. The hosts finished second in Group C behind Liverpool while the visitors came top of Group A ahead of Basel. The second-leg will take place at Old Trafford on the 13th of March.
Man United and Sevilla have never met in European competition so this two-legged tie will be their first. They did meet in Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial back in August 2013 and it ended 3-1 to Sevilla at Old Trafford. Antonio Valencia had pulled one back after Vitolo and Marko Marin’s goals but Bryan Rabello secured the victory in added time. Sevilla’s last experience of knockout football against an English side came against Leicester City last season and they were knocked out by a 3-2 aggregate score against the extraordinary underdogs.
Sevilla must take some kind of advantage to Manchester for the second-leg if they want to progress into the quarter-final. They have Simon Kjaer returning from injury while Nolito and Ever Banega will undergo late fitness tests to assess whether they are ready. Latest matches: Sevilla FC
17.02.2018
LaLi
Las Palmas UD
Sevilla FC
1:2
W
11.02.2018
LaLi
Sevilla FC
Girona FC
1:0
W
07.02.2018
Copa
Sevilla FC
CD Leganes
2:0
W
03.02.2018
LaLi
SD Eibar
Sevilla FC
5:1
L
31.01.2018
Copa
CD Leganes
Sevilla FC
1:1
D
If United can avoid defeat at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, they will stand in good stead to progress. They have defensive problems: Eric Bailly is in doubt as well as having Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo injured. Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba should be back to at least make the bench along with Marcus Rashford who should also make the squad.
Latest matches: Manchester United
17.02.2018 | ![]() |
Huddersfield Town | Manchester United | 0:2 | W |
11.02.2018 | ![]() |
Newcastle United | Manchester United | 1:0 | L |
03.02.2018 | ![]() |
Manchester United | Huddersfield Town | 2:0 | W |
31.01.2018 | ![]() |
Tottenham Hotspur | Manchester United | 2:0 | L |
26.01.2018 | ![]() |
Yeovil Town | Manchester United | 0:4 | W |
It won’t be plain sailing for Man United in Seville despite the English giants being considered as favourites. They will be up against a resolute defence and a fast counter-attacking team. The atmosphere will be hostile for the travelling players but they are expected to come away from this first-leg with a draw at the very least.
21 February 2018 - 19:45 GMT
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