English Premier
2021-10-16 - Leicester City vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 16th October 2021 - Kick Off 3pm
Leicester City
This is not the kind of start that any Leicester City fan would have hoped for in the 2021/22 season, but Brendan Rodgers, his coaching staff and the squad have to avoid panicking. Not many would deny that Leicester City have been below par to this point of the campaign, but Rodgers will know the Division is tight at the moment and a strong month before the next international break will change the outlook.
Strong starts have not led to Champions League Football in each of the last two seasons, but Leicester City will still be disappointed to see themselves in 13th place in the Premier League table with just 8 points earned so far this season. Improving the 1-1-1 record at the King Power Stadium is the first ambition for Leicester City who have scored and conceded 3 goals here.
Leicester City won just 1 of their 7 games played in all competitions between the last two international breaks and that came against Championship Millwall in the League Cup Third Round. The Foxes have not won any of their last 3 games at the King Power Stadium in all competitions, but they have drawn their last 2 here by the same 2-2 scoreline.
Wilfred Ndidi is expected to return next month, while Jonny Evans is a doubt to face his former club.
Manchester United
A really disappointing 1-1 draw with Everton two weeks ago has led to more questions about the suitability of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to take Manchester United to the next level. A decision to rest Cristiano Ronaldo did not work out for the manager and Manchester United are about to head into a really difficult portion of their fixture list beginning on Saturday.
The results prior to the October international break means Manchester United will return in 4th place in the Premier League table and 2 points behind leaders Chelsea. On the face of things, that is not a bad position, but Manchester United have only played one team that is higher than 9th in the League table. The side have a 2-1-0 record away from home where they have scored 4 goals and conceded 2.
Manchester United have won 1 of their last 4 games in all competitions and even that came courtesy of a goal deep into injury time as the team have struggled to score goals. They have not been beaten away from home in the Premier League since January 2020, but Manchester United have lost 2-1 at Young Boys in the Champions League last month. However, Manchester United have won 4 of their last 5 away Premier League games.
Raphael Varane is expected to be ruled out until next month, while Harry Maguire missed the England World Cup Qualifiers and is a doubt for this game too. Marcus Rashford has returned in a behind closed doors friendly and should be given a chance to be involved.
Head to Head
Leicester City took 4 points from Manchester United in the Premier League last season and also beat them in the FA Cup Quarter Final.
The Foxes have not won any of their last 6 home Premier League games against Manchester United and have been beaten in half of those.
However, they earned a 2-2 draw with them at the King Power Stadium in the League last season and then followed up by beating Manchester United 3-1 here in the FA Cup.
Prediction
Brendan Rodgers and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are not likely to be on any hot seat as managers of Leicester City and Manchester United respectively, but the next month could see things change if results do not go the way they would like.
There is some pressure on both to earn better results and so this fixture out of the international break has plenty riding on it.
Some Manchester United fans may feel it is harsh to question the manager- the team are only 2 points behind leaders Chelsea after all!
However, you have to take an honest look at the results and say Manchester United earning 14 points from a possible 21 is an underachievement. They have only played one team that is currently higher than 9th in the Premier League table and Manchester United have been struggling to create chances and score goals in recent games which has to be a real worry.
Huge games are coming up with a double header against Atalanta in the Champions League to come before the November international break. Around that, Manchester United have the likes of Leicester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City to come in the Premier League too and a run of negative results will have more questions for the manager.
Brendan Rodgers should have more time considering his successes with Leicester City, but he is also going to know that his team has underachieved to this point. The fixtures coming up look kinder than those faced by Manchester United, but Leicester City have been struggling defensively and you do have to wonder if they are going to be vulnerable to the Manchester United counter attack.
Getting on the front foot may still be most appealing for Leicester City who could be facing an opponent missing their two first choice centre halves. Raphael Varane is almost certainly out, while Harry Maguire is a big doubt, and Manchester United have looked vulnerable when teams come at them with the speed that Leicester City are likely to employ too.
All 3 games between these teams last season finished with at least three goals shared out and it is hard to believe either of these will be able to contain the other. My lean is that Manchester United will find a way to earn a big result to just get them back on track, but Leicester City are likely to play their part too and I would not be surprised if there are at least three goals shared out again.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Leicester City 1-2 Manchester United
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 2.5 Goals at 1.80 with BetVictor
