Manchester United
After falling off the starting blocks, Manchester United are starting to move towards top speed in their first season under Jose Mourinho. They have a League Cup final to look forward to later this month, and they are still in the mix in the Europa League and FA Cup. In the Premier League, United are now just two points off the top four, and they are only four behind second-placed Manchester City.
Much of this success is down to the fact that the Red Devils have an incredibly strong squad, arguably the deepest in the Premier League. When you can afford to sideline a quality player like Bastian Schweinsteiger for most of the campaign, you know you have plentiful resources.
United had a chaotic Europa League group stage, losing at Feyenoord and Fenerbahce to put their progress in danger. However, they won all three of their UEL games at Old Trafford, and they haven't lost a home match since a sobering Manchester derby in September. Fenerbahce were torn apart 4-1 at the Theatre of Dreams, while Eredivisie leaders Feyenoord were stuffed 4-0.
Mourinho is expected to pick a strong side, as he knows he can rest players in the weekend's FA Cup tie at Blackburn Rovers. United would love to put this tie to bed in the first leg, as the return fixture in France is only a few days before that Wembley final against Southampton.
Saint Etienne
With limited resources at his disposal, long-serving Saint Etienne coachChristophe Galtier continues to impress. ASSE are fifth in Ligue 1, and they have played ten games in the Europa League this term without losing a single match. Spirits are high at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard after an excellent derby win over Lyon, and the weekend's 4-0 demolition of struggling Lorient.
However, I must say that the French side were a little fortunate to progress to the knockout stage of this competition. They were outplayed twice by Mainz, but held on for draws on both occasions, and they were ultimately the key results.
It could be a case of Pogba v Pogba on Thursday night, with ASSE left-back Florentin set to take on his rather more famous brother Paul. Florentin could deputise for the injured Cheikh M'Bengue, while striker Robert Beric and forward Alexander Soderlund are expected to miss out.
Match Odds
I've been burned once or twice this season by overestimating United's ability to secure comfortable home wins, but I genuinely think they will build up a healthy first-leg advantage. I think Saint Etienne are a determined but limited side, and over 90 minutes they shouldn't be able to live with the hosts.
United's free-flowing 2-0 home win against Watford at the weekend indicates that they are starting to click. You could merely back United to win at 1.35, but if you back them -1.5 on the Asian Handicap, you can boost the price to nearly evens.
United to win to nil
United have kept four consecutive clean sheets, and at Old Trafford they have conceded just one goal in the last six matches. Saint Etienne are without a couple of important attacking players because of injury, and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that they could draw a blank in this one. United are 1.82 to win to nil.
Recommended Bet
Back Manchester United -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at 1.99
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