Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Manchester United
Match Time & Date:
12/12/2019
03:00 PM
Prediction: 1-0
AZ
Top position in Group L will be at stake when Manchester United and AZ Alkmaar face each other at Old Trafford in their last group game. The Red Devils have been showing signs of improvement of late, with the team beating the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City in the national championship. Seeing that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s troops are brimming with confidence ahead of the Europa League clash, we predict that they are going to clinch top position without any difficulties.
A man to keep an eye on in the home team will be Marcus Rashford, who is enjoying yet another season to remember. AZ Alkmaar, on the other hand, look unstoppable in the Dutch Eredivisie at the moment, but away win should not be considered as Arne Slot’s troops failed to impress in a 2-2 draw with Partizan in their previous group game in the Europa League.
Highlighted Player (Paul Pogba):
After spending four seasons at Juventus, Paul Pogba returned to Manchester United in the summer of 2016. The French midfielder signed a five-year deal with the Premier League giants for a world-record fee of €105 million. He set an all-time record for highest football transfer fee, surpassing Gareth Bale, the former record holder. However, he missed the 2016/2017 Premier League opener against Bournemouth through suspension.
Pogba was born in Lagny-sur-Marne, France on 15 March, 1993 and he represents les Tricolores on the international stage. He won the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup with France, while making it to the Euro 2016 final with Didier Deschamps’ troops. However, they were beaten by Portugal in the title game at Stade de France.
It has to be noted that Paul Pogba won four Serie A trophies with Juventus. He produced a fine display in the 2013/2014 Champions League final against Barcelona, but Juve suffered a 3-1 loss to Barca in the Olympiastadion Berlin clash. Pogba is a central midfielder, but he is capable of playing as an attacking and a defensive midfielder as well.
Highlighted Team (AZ):
AZ Alkmaar are a professional football club that play their home matches at AFAS Stadion. The venue was opened on 4 August, 2006 and the construction of the stadium cost €38 million. AFAS Stadion is able to hold 17 023 spectators.
The Cheeseheads were founded on 10 May, 1967 and they won their first trophy in 1981, finishing the season 12 points clear of Dutch giants Ajax. 18 years later AZ clinched their second Eredivisie trophy, with the team finishing the 2008/2009 campaign with 80 points, 11 clear of second-placed Twente. In 1981 the club made it to the UEFA Cup final, but English side Ipswich Town proved to be a big catch for the Dutch team.
AZ’s home kits are red and white and they wear black shirts when playing on the road. The likes of Shota Arveladze, Jozy Altidore, Ron Vlaar, Joris Mathijsen, Graziano Pelle, Simon Poulsen, Moussa Dembele and Sergio Romero are notable footballers who played for AZ in the past.
Leeds United
Liverpool
Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen
Tottenham
Southampton
Aston Villa
Man City
Napoli
Lazio
Barcelona
Getafe
