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Leicester City host Manchester United in what is a top-of-the-table clash at the King Power Stadium in Sunday’s late kickoff in the Premier League. More than a clash between the top two sides, all eyes will be on this match as Jamie Vardy looks to break Ruud van Nistelrooy’s EPL record of scoring in 10 consecutive matches. Vardy tied the record when he scored against Newcastle United last week and the Red Devils will look to ensure he doesn’t go past the Dutchman.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Date & Time: Saturday, 28 November 2015 – 17:30 (11:00 PM IST)
Venue: King Power Stadium
Telecast: Star Sports 4 & Star Sports HD 4
Live stream: Star Sports
Team News
Leicester City have no real problems on the injury front and have their key players available. Claudio Ranieri may start both Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa up front with Marc Albrighton and Riyad Mahrez on the wings. N’Golo Kante and Daniel Drinkwater will start in midfield. Kasper Schmeichel will continue to be the man between the sticks as they look to stop leaking goals a team placed at the top shouldn’t ideally be conceding on a regular basis.
Manchester United have a number of players out for this game. Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Phil Jones and Antonio Valencia will not make the trip to Leicester. Jesse Lingard will face a late fitness test while Marcos Rojo is also doubtful. The long list of injuries might see Ashley Young start at full back again while Memphis Depay may move back to the flank with Anthony Martial up front and Wayne Rooney behind him. Jesse Lingard may drop to the bench for this game.
Probable Lineups
Leicester City (4-2-2): Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Drinkwater, Kante, Mahrez, Albrighton, Ulloa, Vardy
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea, Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Mata, Depay, Rooney, Martial
Team Form
Leicester City come into this game on a good run of form in the league. Three consecutive wins have seen the Foxes top the Premier League table, capitalizing on both Manchester City and Arsenal slipping up in the last two weekends. Since the 5-2 loss to Arsenal, they have won every game barring a draw to Southampton. However, the real test awaits the Foxes as they face the big guns in the following weekends in the run-up to the new year.
Last 5 matches (all competitions): W-L-W-W-W (Last match: Newcastle 0-3 Leicester City)
Manchester United are in a spot of bother with respect to the Champions League. A draw against PSV Eindhoven sees their progress hinge on the last game against Wolfsburg away. However, in the Premier League they are a different team altogether and currently have the meanest defence – they have conceded only 9 goals this season. After suffering a 5-3 defeat last season, they will look to make sure the free-scoring Foxes do not get a whiff of goal.
Last 5 matches (all competitions): D-W-W-W-D (Last match: Manchester United 0-0 PSV Eindhoven)
Key Stats
- Jamie Vardy is one goal away from breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s EPL record of scoring in 10 consecutive games. This will be his 11th game if he scores.
- Leicester City have got 12 points out of 12 in their last four EPL matches.
- Manchester United have conceded the least number of goals this season (9). No other teams has conceded 10 or less.
- Leicester City have scored the most number of goals this season (28). The next best is Manchester City (27).
Key Battles
Jamie Vardy vs Chris Smalling
Last season, Vardy chose this game to announce himself to the world. He was involved in 4 of the 5 goals, scoring one and assisting the others as the Foxes came back from 3-1 down to beat United 5-3. The English striker leads the EPL goalscoring charts with 13 goals this season.
And he will be up against the formidable and rejuvenated Chris Smalling in defence. The English centre-back has been a rock in the Red Devils defence in spite of changing partners every other game and has been the protagonist at the back averaging more than 6 clearances a game.
Riyad Mahrez vs Ashley Young
While Vardy has been the talk of the town in Leicester, his teammate Mahrez has not been far behind. The Algerian has scored 7 goals and also provided 6 assists this season, becoming an integral part of Ranieri’s side. With Ashley Young filling in as a full-back, he might be forced to check his attacking runs to keep the Foxes winger quiet and ensure he does not provide any service to Ulloa and Vardy up front.
Prediction
This is a match where the proverbial unstoppable force meets an immovable object. But the Foxes have shown that no opponent can be broken down having scored in each and every match they have played this season. United’s defence will be put to the test but expect Ranieri’s side to nick in and score past a depleted United side. However, United might still be able to come away with a point considering Leicester City’s poor defence.
Predicted score: Leicester City 1-1 Manchester United
Betting Odds (bet365)
Leicester City – 11/5
Draw – 12/5
Manchester United – 11/8
