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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Gavin Beech

Manchester United vs Omonia Nicosia prediction: Record-breaking Cristiano Ronaldo can open scoring for the Reds

Check out our 9/4 Manchester United vs Omonia Nicosia predictions below

Manchester United look sure to rest and rotate when they host Cypriot champions Omonia Nicosia in Group E of the Europa League on Thursday night.

Erik ten Hag's side are expected to breeze past their lowly opponents despite conceding twice in the reverse fixture at the GSP Stadium last week. United are as short as 1/11 with Betfred to pick up three points and keep up the pressure on group leaders Real Socidedad, while Nicosia are huge 28/1 outsiders to cause an upset.

The Reds go into this game buoyed by their 2-1 at Goodison Park on Sunday evening, a fifth win from six Premier League matches, while their only dropped points in this competition came against Real Sociedad on matchday 1. The reverse fixture looks certain to decide who finishes in top spot in the group.

United dominated last week's fixture between these sides, racking up 28 shots on the Nicosia goal in all and amassing an xGF of 2.9, their highest total of any game so far this season.

However, Nicosia, managed by former Celtic boss Neil Lennon, proved much more of an attacking threat than many expected, indeed the hosts went into the interval with a 1-0 lead. Whether they can do the same on the huge Old Trafford pitch remains to be seen but this is effectively a free swing for the visitors given no one is expecting them to get anything.

Nicosia sit bottom of Group E without a point to their name and confidence in the camp will have been dented by a weekend defeat at third-bottom AEL Limassol. They haven't generated an xGF of greater that 1.0 in any Europa League match and no side has had fewer shots on target (6) in this season's competition.

Fred in action for Manchester United vs Omonia Nicosia (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United vs Omonia Nicosia prediction

No side has averaged more possession than Manchester United (61%) in this season's Europa League and the Reds are certain to dominate proceedings at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

The 'United to win to nil' wager is short enough at 3/5 so a better angle into this is probably to side with Cristiano Ronaldo in the goals department. Ronaldo, who scored his 700th goal for United at Everton on Sunday, has started every game in this competition so far and rates easily the most likley player to open the scoring for United.

The Portuguese superstar missed a hatful of chances in last week's fixture between these sides but don't expect that trend to continue so let's back Ronaldo to open the scoring at 9/4.

Manchester United vs Omonia Nicosia betting tips: Cristiano Ronaldo to score first - 9/4

Manchester United vs Omonia Nicosia odds with Betfred

  • Manchester United - 1/11
  • Draw - 10/1
  • Omonia Nicosia - 28/1

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