Manchester United Road Favorites to Partizan on UEL Group Stage Matchday 3
- EPL giants without a win in six games in all competitions
- Belgrade lead the group on goal difference
- Victory will hand winner major advantage in Group L
Partizan Belgrade and Manchester United meet as Group L frontrunners in the Europa League on Thursday with both sides aiming to establish firm command at the top of the standings.
Both teams have four points after one win and a draw apiece, although it is table-toppers Belgrade who have enjoyed a more engaging time in the group compared with United’s drab fixtures so far.
Nevertheless, it is second-placed United who are slightly favored at +129 for victory in the Serbian capital on October 24, at Stadion FK Partizan, at 12:55 pm EST.
Partizan are priced at +175. The draw is a promising +215. This looks the most likely and most productive choice.
UEL Group L Partizan Belgrade vs Manchester Utd Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partizan Belgrade | pk, +½ – 117 | +175 | Ov2, 2½ -117 |
| Manchester Utd | pk, -½ – 103 | +129 | Un2, 2½ -103 |
| Draw | N/A | +215 | N/A |
*Odds taken October 23, 2019
The Belgrade side lead the group on goal difference after a 2-2 draw at home against Alkmaar on Matchday 1 and a follow-up 2-1 defeat of Astana.
But United are favored despite the fact they have not won outright in six matches in all competitions since their 1-0 home victory against Astana on UEL Matchday 1.
Low-Key Goalless Draw
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team drew 0-0 with AZ Alkmaar in another low-key European tie on Matchday 2.
United are in an unfamiliar 14th place in England’s Premier League with manager Solskjaer under criticism for his team’s unconvincing performances.
Both Paul Pogba and David de Gea miss Man United training ahead of Europa League clash against Partizan Belgrade https://t.co/7hB4Z44b1v
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) October 23, 2019
They led 1-0 at home against EPL leaders Liverpool last Sunday but conceded an 85th minute equalizer.
Since their defeat of Astana, they have lost on road trips to West Ham United and Newcastle and drawn at home against Arsenal and now Liverpool.
Partizan are in fifth place in the Serbian Super Liga after seven wins, two draws and two defeats.
Along with the draw against Alkmaar, United were held by EFL League One team Rochdale in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford but won a penalty shoot-out 5-3.
Partizan are in fifth place in the Serbian Super Liga after seven wins, two draws and two defeats.
They have lost their last two league fixtures – 2-1 at home against Vozdovac and 1-0 away against Mladost Lucani.
UEL Group L Partizan Belgrade vs Manchester Utd Statistics
| 1 | Wins | 1 |
| 0 | Losses | 0 |
| 1 | Draws | 1 |
| 4 | Goals | 1 |
| 35 | Goal Attempts | 26 |
| 87% | Passing accuracy | 89% |
| 55% | Possession | 61% |
United and Partizan have met only once before in European competition in the semifinal of the 1965/66 European Cup.
The Serbians progressed following a 2-0 home victory and a 1-0 defeat in England.
Unbeaten in 11 UEL Home Games
With home victories in two preliminary rounds in the Europa League this season, Partizan are now unbeaten in 11 successive European matches in Belgrade.
Last time we played Partizan Belgrade away we lost 2-0. That was back in 1966!
Let's hope the result is much different this time round. pic.twitter.com/Cvx6Ai19db
— StretfordPaddock (@StretfordPaddck) October 22, 2019
However, at the competition’s group stage, they have won just four times and lost seven times in their last 16 home fixtures.
They failed in four attempts to get beyond the group stage until 2017/18 – when they reached the last 32 before being eliminated by Viktoria Plzen.
Under the command of manager Jose Mourinho, United won the Europa League in 2016/17.
United – three times European Cup/Champions League winners – qualified automatically for the group stage after a sixth-place finish in the EPL in May.
Under the command of manager Jose Mourinho, United won the Europa League in 2016/17.
This is their fourth entry into the Europa League.
They are unbeaten home and away in 13 consecutive matches in the competition – winning nine times and drawing four times.
Impressively, they conceded only four goals during this run, with nine clean sheets during that spell.
Pick: Draw +215
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
