Abhranil Roy
Leicester vs Manchester United Preview
It’s a top of the table clash as Leicester City take on Manchester United today at the King Power Stadium today, with both the teams placed at first and second positions on the league table.
The Foxes start the weekend one point clear of United at the top of the table as they bid to continue to their impressive form under Claudio Ranieri. United, on the other hand, have drawn severe criticism from supporters and pundits alike, because of the style of football they have been playing under van Gaal. However, they do have the opportunity of climbing on top of the table today, if they could register a win at the venue which produced one of the most shocking results last season, a 5-3 win to Leicester after the Devils had gone 3-1 up.
TEAM NEWS
Claudio Ranieri has insisted that 40 points is still the target for Leicester City, but we know how badly he will be counting on Jamie Vardy, his striker who will break Van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in 10 consecutive Premier League games if he finds the net today. However, the English international has been carrying a minor hip problem but will play, with Matty James the only absentee for Ranieri as the midfielder continues to recover from a long-term knee injury.
Phil Jones and Ander Herrera are out for United because of their respective ankle and hamstring injuries.Michael Carrick is unlikely to feature as he is still recovering from the ankle injury he suffered playing for England against Spain two weeks ago. Long-term absentees Luke Shaw (leg) and Antonio Valencia (foot) remain sidelined.
STAT ATTACK
* There have been 18 goals scored in the last four league meetings between these two sides.
* United have won 10 of the last 11 league matches against Leicester, but the exception was this fixture last season, one that will go down as a classic.
* The Red Devils have lost just one of their last nine league matches (W6 D2 L1).
* Vardy has now scored 13 goals in the league this season for Leicester, equalling their highest scorer in a single league season (Tony Cottee scored 13 in 1999-00).
* These two sides met at Filbert Street when Leicester were top of the league back in October 2000, with the Red Devils winning 3-0 on their way to winning the title (the Foxes finished 13th).
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
Leicester possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Drinkwater, Kante, Albrighton, Mahrez; Ulloa, Vardy
Man Utd possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Young, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger; Lingard, Rooney, Mata; Martial
PREDICTION
This game will either be a cracker or a dull 1-0 win for United, we are going for the cracker though.
