The Premier League finally returns to action on Saturday following the international break, with two rated sides – Leicester City and Manchester United looking to return back to winning ways after recent abysmal performance.
Leicester sits 13th position on the log with just eight points from their opening seven games and are yet to find a victory since their 1-2 win over Norwich City in game-week three.
Meanwhile, Manchester United occupy fourth position , but their form as of late reeks so much of inconsistencies with a defeat to Aston Villa being followed up by a draw with Everton in Old Trafford.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 21: Youri Tielemans of Leicester City with Paul Pogba of Manchester United during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Leicester City and Manchester United at The King Power Stadium on March 21, 2021 in Leicester, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Leicester City vs Manchester United – Team News
Leicester City
Brendan Rodgers will be without James Justin, Wesley Fofana, and Wilfred Ndidi for the vital home clash with Manchester United.
Leicester could be set to have Jonny Evans back in the team, but the Northern Irish international is still listed as doubtful.
Manchester United
Manchester United will without first-choice Raphaël Varane due to injury and Harry Maguire is doubtful for the match despite returning back to training.
Fred and Edinson Cavani are out due to late international commitments and Marcus Rashford could make the squad for the first time this season, but Amad Diallo is still unavailable
Leicester vs Manchester United- Predicted Line-ups
Leicester’s predicted line-up(4-4-2): Schmeichel; Castagne,Vestergaard, Soyuncu, Bertrand ;Tielemans, Soumare,Lookman, Barnes; Iheanacho, Vardy.
Manchester United’s predicted line-up(4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Eric Bailly, Lindelof, Luke Shaw ; Pogba, McTominay ; Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Greenwood ; Ronaldo
Leicester vs Manchester United – KEY PLAYERS
Jamie Vardy
Enjoying an impressive goal-scoring run, scoring in each of his last three games with seven goal contribution in the league this season, Jamie Vardy remains the Foxes’ dangerous weapon to hurt United on Saturday against United’s second-choice centre-back partnership.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 03: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates after scoring their side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Leicester City at Selhurst Park on October 03, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Giving his qualities and abilities, Jamie Vardy will be looking to add to his scoring chart against a team yet to keep a clean sheet in seven consecutive games across all competitions this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo has has been in impressive form for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team since returning over the summer, scoring five times in six appearances in all competitions.
FARO, PORTUGAL – OCTOBER 12: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United and Portugal celebrates scoring Portugal’s fifth goal and his third in the match during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Portugal and Luxembourg at Estadio Algarve on October 12, 2021 in Faro, Faro. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) After Scoring his 10th international hat-trick of his career as Portugal thrashed Luxembourg 5-0 in World Cup qualifying, he will be looking to register against the 120th different opponent in his club career when they two sides meet on Saturday.
Opta stats (http://@Twitter › OptaJoe OptaJoe
Leicester have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 Premier League games (1-0 vs Wolves on MD1), while the Foxes could concede 2+ goals in four straight games in the competition for the first time since December 2017.
Leicester won their last league meeting with Manchester United 2-1 in May – they’ve not won consecutive league games against the Red Devils since September 1973.
Manchester United have lost just one of their 15 Premier League away games against Leicester (W9 D5), going down 5-3 in September 2014 under Louis van Gaal. However, they did lose 3-1 at the King Power Stadium in the FA Cup last season
Manchester United are looking to extend their record unbeaten away run in the league to 30 games (W19 D10). The Red Devils haven’t conceded more than once in any of their last 15 on the road (7 conceded in total), their longest such run in league football.
Man Utd’s Jesse Lingard has been involved in six goals in his last six Premier League appearances against Leicester (3 goals, 3 assists). Against no side has he been involved in more goals in the competition (also 6 vs Arsenal).
Leicester City Vs Manchester United – Prediction
United might not have the rhythm and flow but they have a host of top-class offensive talent at their disposal to punish a side that has already shipped 12 goals in the league this season and have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 Premier League games.
Also, the hosts haven’t really clicked in an attacking sense either this term but they have only failed to score once in the league – against Manchester City, and they will be relishing the prospect of a United defence that features Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof.
Barring all odds, United will be looking to add to Leicester woe by scoring at least twice on Saturday and much will be determined by United’s Center back pairing and Jamie Vardy if he continues his hot form in front of goal.
Score Prediction
Leicester 1 : 2 Manchester United
Possible Goalscorers
Vardy : Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes