Warning: mysqli_query(): (HY000/1030): Got error 28 from storage engine in /home/sportsun/public_html/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 1942

Manchester United vs Marseille

Manchester United and Marseille will meet at Old Trafford in England on March 15th to settle their Champions League round-of-16 tie. The first game ended up 0-0 in France. United has won two lost two and drew one in their last five games and are in their worst form of the season at the moment after going most of it undefeated. However, the bounced back from two straight league losses to Chelsea and Liverpool, by beating Arsenal 2-0 in the FA Cup on Saturday. Marseille has been in exceptional form by winning four and drawing one (against United) in their last five contests.

We bet on the game at William Hill.

United will be without Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves as usual and it looks like Nani, Park Jung-Si and Antonio Valencia will also be missing. Darren Fletcher and Jonny Evans might nalso miss the game. The club hasn’t been playing well lately as they’ve looked devoid of any ideas and creativity when it comes to attacking football. They picked things up a bit against Arsenal, but are still playing far from their best football.

United were seemingly stuck min first gear in the first leg in France, and that’s been typical of them this season when playing away from the friendly confines of Old Trafford. The club was knocked out at the quarterfinal stage by Bayern Munich last season and this would be seen as a disaster if they get knocked out early again.

Ferguson speaks of defending well against Marseille, but the fact is they’re not going anywhere unless they score at least once. They have to win this game to advance. The only result that would take them to extra time is another 0-0 draw.

Marseille will be hoping that Andre-Pierre Gignac and Mathieu Valbuena can lead them in the attack and at least one of them can find the back of the net. Marseille is playing well in France this season as well, so they’re not going to be pushovers. They are a pretty healthy squad, but Brandao is likely to miss the game.

United should win this match at home, but they’ll probably make it hard on themselves. They need a jolt of enthusiasm to come from somewhere and it could be Wayne Rooney who supplies it as he’s been playing better as the season goes along. I can see United winning this game by grinding out a one-goal win.

William Hill has the odds of a Manchester United win at 1/2 with a draw listed at 3/1 and a Marseille victory at 6/1.