English Premier

2025-03-16 - Leicester City vs Manchester United

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Leicester City v Manchester United
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 16th March 2025 - Kick Off 7pm
This game is live on TV

Leicester City

Some fans may have been hoping that the Leicester City board would make a decision to replace a second manager this season to try and stave off relegation, but Ruud van Nistelrooy seemingly retains the confidence of those in position to make the big decisions. It is perhaps a case of 'be careful what you wish for' though as Leicester City had been in a stronger position under Steve Cooper, but fans refused to accept the former Nottingham Forest manager at the helm of the club.

They are where they are now and that is Leicester City sitting in 19th place in the Premier League table and 6 points from safety with ten League games left to play. The Foxes need wins and quickly and this game feels very important considering Leicester City's next four following this one are against current top seven teams. A 2-3-9 record at the King Power Stadium has ultimately not been good enough at this stage of the campaign.

Leicester City opened the van Nistelrooy era with a home win over West Ham United and then a fightback from 0-2 down in a 2-2 draw with Brighton but the losses have piled up ever since. In the following 15 games in all competitions, Leicester City have lost 13 times including in each of their last 5 Premier League games and all without scoring. The side have lost 6 straight home League games and Leicester City have not scored once in that run either.

The squad is as healthy as it has been at any time this season and only one long-term injury is absent for this big home game.

Manchester United

There have been some bright moments under Ruben Amorim, but the feeling has been that Manchester United have been able to raise their level against teams that are operating much higher in the standings. Those matches have also allowed Manchester United to try and make things difficult for their opponents, but it has been tougher when being asked to get on the front foot against teams they are expected to beat.

That changed on Thursday as Manchester United came from behind to roll past Real Sociedad in the Europa League and give the squad something to keep fighting for after the March international break. The manager still wants to see improvements in the Premier League, where Manchester United sit in 14th place, but the main focus is trying to win the Europa League and earn an unexpected place in the Champions League for the 2025/26 season.

Manchester United have not lost any of their last 6 games in all competitions in normal time, although 4 of 5 had ended in draws before the thumping 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on Thursday. The side have lost 1 of their last 7 away games in all competitions, but 4 of those matches have ended in draws, including a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park in Manchester United's last away Premier League fixture.

Mason Mount could be on the bench this weekend, but Harry Maguire remains a doubt after being left out of Thomas Tuchel's first England squad. Leny Yoro is expected to return after the March international break so this is another opportunity for youngster Ayden Heaven to impress, while Patrick Dorgu completes his domestic suspension.

Head to Head

Manchester United have beaten Leicester City 3 times already this season, although all have been at Old Trafford.

Leicester City had been unbeaten in 3 home games against Manchester United and had won consecutive fixtures, but the last meeting at the King Power Stadium in September 2022 ended 0-1 in favour of United.

Prediction

The upcoming March international break means Manchester United can fully focus on this final Premier League game and Ruben Amorim will be assessing his squad and how they handle positive headlines.

They deserved that after crushing Real Sociedad in the Last 16 of the Europa League and Manchester United are expected to have too much for a struggling Leicester City team.

Patrick Dorgu will be a big miss and Manchester United are without some key centre halves, but they showed they can cope at the back by largely containing Real Sociedad on Thursday. The Spanish team were pretty disappointing, but Leicester City have hardly looked any better and Ruud van Nistelrooy needs something to change.

Leicester City have struggled for goals, but they have also had plenty of issues defending and Manchester United should have enough in the final third to find at least one goal. On the form of the home team, that may be enough for Manchester United to earn three points and give the entire squad some momentum and confidence to take into the international break before big fixtures to come in April.

Weathering an early storm is likely going to be key for Ruben Amorim's men, but if they can do that, Manchester United should back up the last couple of performances with another victory here.

The Statistics :

LEICESTER LAST SIX HOME FORM
	DATE	RESULT		OPPOSITION
	2025-02-21	L	0-4	H v Brentford
	2025-02-15	L	0-2	H v Arsenal
	2025-01-18	L	0-2	H v Fulham
	2025-01-15	L	0-2	H v Crystal_Palace
	2024-12-29	L	0-2	H v Man_City
	2024-12-22	L	0-3	H v Wolves

MAN_UTD LAST SIX AWAY FORM
	DATE	RESULT		OPPOSITION
	2025-02-22	D	2-2	A v Everton
	2025-02-16	L	1-0	A v Tottenham
	2025-01-26	W	0-1	A v Fulham
	2025-01-05	D	2-2	A v Liverpool
	2024-12-26	L	2-0	A v Wolves
	2024-12-15	W	1-2	A v Man_City

HEAD TO HEAD LEICESTER v MAN_UTD
DATE	HOME	SCORE	AWAY
2022-09-01	Leicester	0-1	Man_Utd
2021-10-16	Leicester	4-2	Man_Utd
2020-12-26	Leicester	2-2	Man_Utd
2020-07-26	Leicester	0-2	Man_Utd
2019-02-03	Leicester	0-1	Man_Utd
2017-12-23	Leicester	2-2	Man_Utd