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Villarreal vs Manchester United Odds & Prediction – 2021 Europa League Final

Gary Gowers

by Gary Gowers in Soccer News

Updated May 25, 2021 · 9:55 AM PDT

Villarreal vs Manchester United
Villareal's manager Unai Emery gestures during the Europa League semifinal first leg soccer match between Villarreal and Arsenal at the Estadio de la Ceramica stadium in Villarreal, Spain, Thursday, April 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
  • It is Villarreal vs Manchester United in the 2021 Europa League final on Wednesday, May 26, kick-off at 3:00 pm EST
  • It all takes places in front of 9,500 fans in the Gdansk Stadium (Stadion Energa), Poland
  • We preview the game, look at the odds, and offer a best bet below

Villarreal vs Manchester United meet in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday, May 26, kick-off at 3:00 pm EST at Gdansk Stadium (Stadion Energa) in Gdansk, Poland.

For United, this is the chance to finally get their hands on a trophy in the Solskjær era but, in Unai Emery, he is up against a Europa League specialist.

We list the odds, preview Villarreal vs Manchester United, and offer below the best bet for this Europa Cup Final.

Villarreal vs Manchester United Odds

Matchup Spread Moneyline Total
Villarreal vs Manchester United VIL +1 (-210) | MAN -1 (+175) VIL +340| DRAW +245 | MAN -115 Ov 2.5 (+108) | Un 2.5 (-134)

Odds as of May 25 at DraftKings

The Emery Factor

Villarreal made it to the final thanks to a narrow 2-1 aggregate win over Arsenal, while United had a considerably easier passage to Wednesday’s showpiece with an aggregate 8-5 win over Roma. United also has the edge in terms of domestic form, finishing their EPL campaign at the weekend with a 2-1 over Wolves, while Villarreal lost by the same scoreline to Real Madrid on their final day.

What Villareal does have in its favor ahead of this massive game is the Unai Emery factor, as this will be his fifth Europa League final. It is a competition he has won no less than three times – 2014, 2015, and 2016 – in his managerial career.

Huge Incentive for the Yellow Submarine

The Yellow Submarine also, arguably, has the greater incentive to win here as the defeat by Real Madrid left them in seventh place in the final La Liga table and in line only for a place in the inaugural UEFA Conference League – the least prestigious of the European competitions. By winning on Wednesday they will automatically qualify for next season’s Champions League. United, by virtue of finished second in the EPL, has already qualified for next season’s UCL.

From United’s perspective, they do have recent success in this competition to feed off and it was Jose Mourinho’s Man United team, in May 2017, that brought to an end Emery’s run of three successive Europa League wins when they beat Ajax 2-0 in Stockholm. It was also the last time that United lifted some silverware.

Villarreal vs Manchester United Head-to-Head Stats

Villarreal
VS
Manchester United
14 UEL 2020-21 games played 8
11 Wins 5
2 Draws 2
0 Defeats 1
27 Goals scored 18
8 Goals conceded 6
85 Passing accuracy (%) 86

Pressure for Trophies on Solskjær

United will be fresh for this game after manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær fielded a much-changed team against Wolves comprising academy and fringe players in order to protect his big names and not risk injury. It paid off too as the youngsters combined with the older heads to produce a good performance, with goals coming from Anthony Elanga and Juan Mata as the Reds ended the domestic season on a high.

It was a timely boost, even if it was achieved with a makeshift team, as United’s EPL season had threatened to peter out without even a whimper – they had taken just one point from the last nine on offer – but they head to Gdansk with that winning feeling, unlike their Spanish opponents.

United Start as Favorites

United starts this game as favorites – a position they have been in ever since they joining this competition, which they did after being knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage. In doing so, they now have a chance to emulate Chelsea who, back in 2013, became the first and the only English team to win the Europa League after having been eliminated from Europe’s elite tournament.

It gives Solskjaer the chance to finally get his hands on a trophy; something that will help allay some of the fears of his detractors. There is a feeling among the United faithful that, while the Norwegian is revered for what he achieved while wearing the red of United, he has yet to prove himself in the technical area, and coming up against Emery will test his credentials against one of the best and on the big stage.

Villarreal vs Manchester United Best Bets

The Emery factor cannot be ignored here and if it boils down to a tactical battle between him and Solskjær, then a Villarreal win is a real possibility. The Spaniard knows exactly what it takes to win this trophy whereas the Norwegian only has a Norwegian Cup triumph on his managerial CV.

So, in terms of value, there is none to be had on the United win – they are odds on – but on the basis of this being a tight, edgy game, the draw on 90 minutes at +245 looks a good bet. Also well worth a shout is Edinson Cavani at +440 to be the first goalscorer. Do not be surprised, however, if Villarreal emerges victorious after 120 minutes.

Pick: Villarreal and Manchester United to draw after 90 minutes (+245) / Cavani to score first goal (+440)

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