Granada vs. Manchester United – Europa League, April 8, 2021

The Red Devils head into their Europa League quarter-final tie against Granada as tournament favorites, while the Spanish side is among the outsiders to lift the trophy this year.

Naturally, Manchester United is expected to gain a first-leg advantage over the Andalusia outfit when the two teams meet at Los Carmenes on Thursday, April 7.

After looking at the odds and previewing the match, I will provide my Granada vs. Manchester United first leg prediction and betting pick.

Regardless of the home-field advantage, the best online sportsbooks aren’t giving Granada much of a chance on Thursday. In fact, even the price for the draw is sizeable.

Man Utd is the bookmakers’ rightful favorite to win the first leg, although I’m not so sure the odds for the away win should be as low as they are here.

I analyze both sides below.

Following an above-par seventh-place finish in La Liga last year, Diego Martinez’s men have continued to punch above their weight this season.

Unfortunately, a disappointing run of five defeats in seven games has seen Granada slip to ninth in the Spanish top flight. But having picked up enough points throughout the campaign, the club is still on course for a top-half finish – and that is no mean feat.

Martinez’s men lost just one of their six Europa League group games earlier in the season, conceding just three goals along the way. Granada then secured an impressive 3-2 aggregate win over Napoli in the Round of 32 before beating Molde by the same scoreline in the previous round.

Of course, Man Utd will be Granada’s toughest test this term. But if the team’s key performers are at their best, the Andalusia outfit could cause the English giant plenty of problems.

Needless to say, that trio will need to perform on Thursday.

On the flip side, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men head into Thursday’s clash on a ten-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League. Better still, they have only lost one of their last 24 EPL games.

Following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brighton on Sunday, Champions League qualification is all but secured for next season. Still, the Red Devils will be eager to add the Europa League trophy to their silverware cabinet this term.

Since dropping out of the UCL earlier in the campaign, Man Utd has thrived in the Europa League. A 4-0 triumph over Real Sociedad was followed by a 2-1 win over AC Milan – and now the English club is the bookies’ favorite to go all the way.

Bruno Fernandes has undoubtedly been the driving force behind United’s season. The Portuguese playmaker has bagged 23 goals and 14 assists this term, including six goals and two assists in ten European appearances.

Even if Fernandes’ teammates fail to reach his level, Solskjaer’s side should qualify for the semi-finals.

The Red Devils haven’t been blowing teams away recently, although they have been doing enough to get the job done. With that in mind, I expect Man Utd to claim a low-scoring victory in the first leg.

Martinez’s men have shown glimpses of quality throughout the campaign, but their inconsistency is likely to let them down on Thursday. In my opinion, the away win is the best bet for Granada vs. Manchester United.