Manchester United v CSKA Moscow Betting Preview – UEFA Champions League 5th December 7.45pm
The Red Devils probably should have had this group all settled by now by they are still likely to win the group whatever happens on Tuesday night. They could lose this and still get through as group winners so this is something of a formality really. As for CSKA Moscow, they have to come out and play in this one because they have to better whatever Basel do in their match day six game in order to get through in second place.
Manchester United v CSKA Moscow Betting Tips
Well, there are quite a few scenarios which could still play out in this group, but regardless, more likely than not, United will be topping the pile. As long as they avoid losing by a big margin then they will be through to the next round anyway. They will top the group with a point and that’s all, so with all things considered, Jose Mourinho could be forgiven for resting a few players in this one. They face rivals Man City in the Premier League on the weekend. If United do lose the game and Basel don’t win at Benfica, then United top the group with CSKA joining them in second place. If they lose and Basel do win, then United would have to avoid defeat by a five goal margin to win the group. So realistically this is all academical. United won 4-1 in Moscow back in September in the first group meeting. Again, considering what is coming up for them on the weekend though on the domestic front, a Manchester United 1-0 correct score at Betfair is a decent punt at 11/2. That’s the same price as them winning 2-0.
They have been defensively rock solid at Old Trafford this season on all fronts and they are 10/11 at Betfair to take a clean sheet in the match. Mourinho’s side have kept 13 clean sheets in their last 22 matches in all competitions. Before they were back together in this season’s group stage, United and CSKA Moscow were previously together in the 2009/10 season with United winning 1-0 at home before a 3-3 draw in Russia. Then in the 2015/16 season, United drew again in Moscow before sneaking another 1-0 home win over the Russians. Their European form at Old Trafford is strong with a 20 match unbeaten streak at home going there (W16 D4). They haven’t lost any of their previous five home games against Russians sides either in a W2 D3 record and overall their record against Russian opposition is W4 D7 L1. Just last season they played host to Rostov in the Europa League, winning that 1-0. United missed their chance to win the group on match day five when they lost 1-0 at Basel, which is just their second loss in their last 17 European fixtures (W12 D3). Jesse Lingard is in good scoring form at the moment and is a 3/2 anytime goalscorer option. Will Zlatan Ibrahimovic get a start?
So what do CSKA Moscow need? In order to get through, they have to collect more points than Basel do on the night to get second place. If both they and Basel win, then CSKA have to land a win at Old Trafford by a three goal margin to squeeze through. The Russians are carrying away form in Europe having won all four of their games on the road (including qualifying) this season and took 2-1 victories at Benfica and Basel in the group stage. Their win at Benfica actually snapped a ten match winless streak of form (D4 L6) that they were on the group stage of the Champions League. It snapped a D1 L6 streak of away from that they were on in tournament as well. Realistically even settling for a point is a little bit risky so at some point, they know that they are likely going to have to attack, but that leaves them vulnerable at the back. Igor Akinfeev kept a clean sheet for the first time in 44 UEFA Champions League matches on matchday five. Anyway, CSKA Moscow are in form with a W5 D1 record in their last six games in all competitions now. Unfortunately for them, Pontus Wernbloom, who has five goals in his last six games, is serving a match ban.
Manchester United v CSKA Moscow Betting Odds
Manchester United 2/5, Draw 15/4, CSKA Moscow 13/2
Manchester United v CSKA Moscow Predictions
The Red Devils will have one eye on their Premier League derby against Man City next weekend so there may be every reason to take things just a little bit easy in this one. They can lose substantially and still get through, but that’s not likely to happen so just settle on the draw.
