Wolfsburg vs Manchester United Prediction and Preview – 08/12/15
Champions League preview – Wolfsburg vs Manchester United prediction
Wolfsburg centre back Dante missed the 2-1 defeat against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday due to suspension but is eligible for the decisive Champions League game against Manchester United on Tuesday. Luiz Gustavo is the major concern for coach Dieter Hecking and the midfielder won’t be risked unless he is 100% fit after sitting out Saturday’s game with a back problem. Striker Bas Dost is in line for a recall having come off the bench to play 45 minutes against Dortmund.
Morgan Schneiderlin picked up a hip injury at the weekend and has been left out of the Manchester United squad along with Wayne Rooney. Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger look the most likely midfield pairing with Marouane Fellaini expected to continue his role behind the striker in the absence of Rooney. Paddy Mcnair was forced off against West Ham but has been given the all clear for the trip to Germany. Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera and Marcos Rojo remain on the injured list.
Possible Line-ups
Wolfsburg: 4-4-2 formation: Benaglio; Trasch, Naldo, Dante,Schafer; Caligiuri, Guilavogui, Arnold, Draxter; Kruse, Dost
Manchester United: 4-2-3-1 formation: De Gea; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Young; Carrick, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Fellaini, Lingard; Martial
Statistics
- Wolfsburg have won 5, drawn 1 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Manchester United have won 3, drawn 7 and lost 0 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Wolfsburg have scored an average of 1.5goals and conceded an average of 1 goal per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Manchester United have scored an average of 0.7 goals and conceded an average of 0.3 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Wolfsburg’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 1 of Manchester United’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Wolfsburg’s defeat at home to Dortmund was the third loss in six games. The Germans failed to capitalise on an early goal when the sides met in Manchester earlier in the group stage. They are in the driving seat again, requiring a point to progress to the knockout phase and are not expected to take many risks against a team that has to win to guarantee their place in the last 16.
Manchester United have struggled to score goals all season and have drawn seven of the last ten competitive matches, failing to score in five of them. The Red Devils last suffered defeat when hit by a 20-minute avalanche when going down 3-0 at Arsenal on 4 October but have only conceded three goals in all competitions since.
It is not in Louis van Gaal’s nature to ask his team to go all out in attack and with United lacking a cutting edge this could end up a low scoring stalemate.
Tips
Under 2.5 goals at 16/19 (1.84) at Marathonbet
Draw at 32/19 (3.46) at Marathonbet
Correct Score 0-0 at 9/1 with BetVictor
What are your predictions?
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