After a trip to the Nou Camp, Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United will be just 5 points off the top of the Premier League if they become victorious against an in-form Leicester City side today.
United are on an 11-game unbeaten streak at home in the Premier League, winning 10 of those and drawing just 1 game. However, United’s recent form against Leicester isn’t great, with Leicester winning 3 of the last 5 meetings between them and United only becoming victorious in 1 of the last 5 coming early this season, scraping a 1-0 win. Nevertheless, since the restart after the World Cup, the Red Devils have earned the most points out of any other team with 20. United have achieved 9 clean sheets in the Premier League this season, which is already more than the entirety of last season. Marcus Rashford can become the first Manchester United player to score in 7 consecutive Premier League home games since Wayne Rooney did in 2010.
Looking at Leicester, they could win 3 games in a row for the first time in 2 years. In Leicester’s last 2 games, Kelechi Iheanacho has scored 2 goals and assisted 3. Leicester have been lethal in the first half this season: scoring 23 goals, only second to Manchester City. As well, Leicester know how to score away from home: scoring 21 goals in away games this season, with only Brighton having a higher tally. Leicester’s January signings Harry Souttar, Tete, and Victor Kristiansen have all shown to be very effective signings from the jump.
Head to Head Facts:
In 33 Premier League meetings, United have 20, Leicester have won 4, and 9 have resulted in a draw.
Leicester have gone unbeaten in 2 consecutive games at Old Trafford for the first time since 1977.
Two of the four Leicester victories against United have come under Brendan Rodgers spell at Leicester, with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford in May 2021 and 4-2 win at King Power Stadium in October 2021.
Team News:
United will be missing Casemiro, as he serves the last game of his 3-game suspension after his straight red card against Crystal Palace. After missing action against Barcelona, Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer are set to come back in the starting lineup. Scott McTominay, Antony, and Anthony Martial are all questionable. Erik Ten Hag has said ‘one or two’ could return and Saturday’s training session would be the indicator for who’s ready to come back into action for United.
Leicester will have Youri Tielemans back, as he is set to come back into the 18-man squad after suffering a calf injury. Boubakary Soumare is available for the first time since the beginning of January, returning from a lengthy hamstring injury.
Betting Odds:
Manchester United (-165, 13/20)
Leicester City (+410, 23/5)
Draw (+310, 7/2)
Over/Under Goals: 2.5
By Sam Cohen
