Leicester vs Manchester United Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

Preview

Haydn Cunningham Nov 23, 2015 @ 06:33 pm

It is unimaginable to think 8 or 9 months ago that Leicester City would be leading the Premier League table approaching December as Nigel Pearson’s side stared relegation in the face and looked all but doomed for another crack at the Championship. However, a remarkable run at the end of last season has clearly given them the confidence that they deserve their place in the Premier League and how they believe it now sitting top of the table after 13 games with just 1 defeat. Claudio Ranieri’s appointment in the summer had many questioning whether the Leicester’s Thai owners had a clue what they were doing but it has been a sensational appointment as the ‘Tinkerman’ has worked wonders with the squad and Jamie Vardy is one player thriving most under his leadership. Vardy’s goal in the 3-0 victory at Newcastle United meant he equalled the record set by Ruud Van Nistelrooy over a decade a go of scoring in 10 consecutive Premier League matches and Vardy will now be determined to break the record against Van Nistelrooy’s former employers.

 

If you said Louis Van Gaal would be a point below Leicester after 13 games of the season, many would’ve predicted the Dutchman getting the sack but instead they are well in with a chance of sealing another Premier League crown to their prestigious history. They haven’t been particularly pleasing on the eye but they’ve grinded results out by being solid in defence which has contributed to them conceding just 9 goals in the league which is the best defensive record in the league. They conceded their 1^st goal in 6 games via a penalty against Watford at the weekend but showed tremendous strength in character to overlook the late setback at Vicarage Road to go up the other end with minutes remaining and score the winner. LVG was also without Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial for the 2-1 win at Watford and LVG will be pleased that Memphis Depay marked his return to the starting 11 with a goal after a very disappointing start to his career at Old Trafford.

The corresponding fixture last year was one of Leicester’s very few highlights as they came from behind to defeat Manchester United 5-3 in a very entertaining game. Manchester United had won the previous 9 meetings before that but how Leicester are performing at the moment it won’t be plain sailing for United. Vardy has scored 13 goals in the league and that is the same as Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay and Ander Herrera altogether. Leicester City’s only loss came at the King Power Stadium as they were cast aside by Arsenal 5-2 and question marks still surround Leicester as to whether they can maintain their performances against the bigger sides of the league.

Although Ranieri is infamous for his slight alterations in changes no matter how small but even he is very unlikely to make changes with his side in such fine form. Ranieri even had the luxury of hauling off Vardy and Riyad Mahrez against Newcastle and the pair will be fired up ahead of the visit of Manchester United. LVG will be hoping Rooney and Martial are back in contention for the weekend showdown with Leicester but also have Champions League commitments midweek to contend with. Marcos Rojo was too tired to start against Watford but had to come on in the first half and is likely to be called into the starting line up.

Leicester City

Stats: W-8 L-1 D-4

Recent Form – WLWWWW

Manchester United

Stats: W-8 L-2 D-3

Recent Form - LDWWW

Head-to-head record:

Possible Line-ups

Leicester City (4-4-2) – Schmeichel, Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Mahrez, Kante, Drinkwater, Albrighton, Vardy, Ulloa

Liverpool (4-2-3-1) – De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Blind, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Mata, Depay, Rooney, Martial

Injury List/Suspended Players

Leicester City – James (inj)
Manchester United – Valencia (inj), Shaw (inj), Carrick (inj), Fellaini (inj), Herrera (inj)

Leicester v Manchester United Head to Head

League Positions