AC Milan vs. Manchester United – Europa League, March 18, 2021

Manchester United was on course to beat AC Milan last week, but a last-gasp Simon Kjaer equalizer saw the Italian side rescue a draw at Old Trafford.

The two heavyweights meet for the second leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie on Thursday, March 18, with Milan’s San Siro the venue this time around.

I provide my AC Milan vs. Manchester United second leg prediction and pick below. But first, let’s kick things off by checking out the betting odds.

Just like last week, Man Utd (2.10) is the favorite to win this one. However, the price for the away win is notably high here – pointing towards a tight encounter.

10bet views AC Milan (3.35) as the outsider in this matchup, but with the home-field advantage, the Rossoneri will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds on Thursday.

Stefano Pioli’s men will probably still be feeling pretty unfortunate to have come away from Old Trafford with only a draw last week.

Milan recorded 15 shots (five on target) in the first leg, while Man Utd only managed seven attempts (two on target). The visitors also had a goal disallowed early on, so they will feel that they deserved to get the better of United.

Still, Kjaer’s 92nd-minute equalizer eventually gave the Rossoneri a precious away goal.

Unfortunately, Milan’s Serie A title charge appears to have derailed. A 15-match unbeaten streak – 11 wins and four draws – had fans dreaming of success earlier in the campaign. But since then, Pioli’s men have lost five of their 12 league games.

With star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic sidelined through injury, Milan now sits second in the Serie A standings – nine points behind bitter rival Inter Milan. Needless to say, the Italians will be desperate the keep their season alive by beating Man Utd.

Funny enough, Man Utd is also trailing a cross-city rival in the EPL. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men find themselves 14 points shy of Man City, with Pep Guardiola’s side on course to clinch the title.

The Red Devils have only lost one of their last 23 Premier League games, picking up 14 wins and eight draws during that period. But despite their outstanding run, they look set to miss out on the EPL title this season.

However, winning the Europa League is a realistic target for Man Utd. Having started the campaign in the Champions League, Solskjaer’s side is now one of the strongest teams in Europe’s secondary club competition.

Across the UCL and UEL, Bruno Fernandes has bagged six goals and two assists in nine games this term. With a total tally of 23 goals and 13 assists in 43 appearances, the Portuguese playmaker could prove to be the difference between the teams on Thursday.

Better still, United heads into the second leg on the back of four straight clean sheets in the Premier League.

I really like the look of the price for the away win here. We all know that AC Milan is no pushover, but I’m confident that Man Utd will be able to get the job done on Thursday.

Since the turn of the year, United’s form has been extremely solid. With a place in the last eight of the Europa League at stake, Solskjaer’s men are likely to rise to the occasion and advance to the last eight.