- Over 2.5 goals is strongly backed at 1/4.
- Manchester United have conceded 13 goals in five home fixtures across all competitions - an average of 2.60 goals per match.
- Sabah FK have scored seven goals in four away matches across all competitions.
Sabah arrive sharper than United
Sabah FK should arrive at Old Trafford sharper than Manchester United and more ready for this European clash on Thursday. The Owls arrive on a three-game winning streak, which began with a 5-2 extra-time win over Hapoel Beer-Sheva in UEFA Champions League qualification and a 1-0 away win at Araz Nakhchivan PFK in the Premier League. They then thrashed FK Zira 5-0 in the following home fixture.
Valdas Dambrauskas has them well organised in a 4-2-3-1 system which is compact when out of possession and sharp on the break when in it. Livewire Joy-Lance Mickels has scored four of Sabah's 12 goals in the last five games and he'll give the United defenders plenty to think about.
The Red Devils are in mixed form at the moment, having lost 2-0 at Hull City, won 5-2 at home to Ipswich Town and then drawn 2-2 at Everton in their last three Premier League fixtures. Michael Carrick's men have also conceded 13 times in five games at Old Trafford this season - an average of 2.60 per match.
Match made for counter-attack
Carrick has set up his team in a 4-2-3-1 that can be patient and controlled, but when the moments arise, can switch on the vertical bursts that can unlock the best teams in the world. But in this clash of styles, we may see the classic possession against counter-attack clash, and the visitors could get at United on the counter-attack if they overcommit.
Sabah have a better record than United across all competitions, having won eight of their last ten matches compared to United's five wins, two draws and three losses. The visitors have also travelled extremely well, scoring seven goals in their four away games and they are unbeaten away from home.
Back Over 2.5 goals here as the odds are still attractive at 1/4. United have been leaky at home this season and both teams to score looks live at 19/20. But the value bet is on Sabah to nick it in what should be a lively back-and-forth contest between two equally matched sides on paper.
