MX23RW : Tuesday, February 5 12:58:35

Preview: Leicester City vs. Manchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Sunday's Premier League encounter between Leicester City and Manchester United.

Leicester City play host to Manchester United on Sunday afternoon on the back of registering an impressive 1-1 draw at Liverpool earlier this week.

United make the trip to the King Power Stadium having been held by Burnley at Old Trafford, but caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will still be delighted with his side's form ahead of the visit to the East Midlands.


Leicester City

Leicester City manager Claude Puel at the game against Burnley on April 14, 2018© Reuters

Claude Puel remains a man under pressure at the Foxes with just 11 points coming from their last 10 outings in the Premier League, but the result at Liverpool was a reminder of the capabilities of this team under the guidance of the Frenchman.

Leicester rode their luck at times on Merseyside, but the visitors equally managed to keep Liverpool out for 87 minutes plus added-on time after conceding an early goal.

Puel would have feared the worst given how his side defended in their previous outing against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the club's boss will now feel that he has a bit more margin for error ahead of the visit of Manchester United and trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

Nevertheless, it remains imperative that Leicester eventually return to winning ways if they are to achieve their target of seventh place, a position currently held by Wolves who sit three points clear of Puel's side.

Leicester will need to improve their home form if they are to challenge for the final Europa League position, with just 14 points coming from 11 outings in front of their own supporters.

Defeats to Cardiff City and Southampton have been registered since their dramatic 2-1 triumph against Manchester City over the Christmas period, although facing an attack-minded United may play into Leicester's favour.

Jamie Vardy and James Maddison have netted the bulk of the goals for Leicester in the Premier League, but neither player has built on their excellent returns during the opening months of the season.

Puel has been reliant on the pair with no other player contributing more than three goals or assists, and that will likely need to change if Leicester are to achieve the results which they require over the next three-and-a-half months.

Recent form: WLWLLD
Recent form (all competitions): LWLLLD


Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer applauds during the FA Cup third-round game between Manchester United and Reading on January 5, 2019© Reuters

Solskjaer endured his first setback as caretaker boss on Tuesday night having failed to overcome a Burnley side who had previously been thrashed 5-0 by Manchester City three days earlier.

However, the Norwegian will take the positives from witnessing his side's late fightback, and there will be nothing but optimism when assessing the bigger picture.

Chelsea's 4-0 defeat at Bournemouth has left United within two points of fourth position, something which appeared out of the club's grasp during the closing weeks of Jose Mourinho's time at Old Trafford.

There is the argument that United have effectively been free-rolling and playing with little pressure since Solskjaer's arrival, but the 46-year-old has already achieved more than what was expected from him and there is every suggestion that there is more to come.

A game away from the Theatre Of Dreams has probably come at the right time with United not competing at their best against Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley, although Solskjaer is now faced with a greater weight of expectation wherever United are playing.

Solskjaer and his team will also be aware that they can move ahead of Arsenal this weekend with the Gunners facing Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, and it would represent a significant move in their efforts to feature in next year's Champions League.

Chelsea also find themselves at the home of the current champions the following week, and there is every chance that wins at Leicester and Fulham will put United in fourth place ahead of the clash with Liverpool.

Such a shift in momentum was deemed unthinkable when Mourinho left in the middle of December, but it would now be considered a surprise if United do not move ahead of the London duo in the coming weeks.

Recent form: WWWWWD
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWD


Team News

Anthony Martial in action for Manchester United on August 19, 2018© Reuters

Solskjaer has revealed that he expects Anthony Martial to be passed fit for the weekend's game, with the Frenchman having missed the fixture against Burnley due to a minor injury.

Paul Pogba should also be available after a knock, while Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard are in line for a recall to the starting lineup.

Chris Smalling is likely to have to remain patient for a first appearance since a foot injury due to the form of Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones.

Leicester brought in Youri Tielemans from Monaco earlier this week, but the Belgium international is only expected to be named on the bench.

Puel is unlikely to tinker with the players and system which proved to be effective against Liverpool, meaning that youngster Harvey Barnes should remain among the replacements.

Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Pereira, Maguire, Evans, Chilwell; Gray, Ndidi, Mendy, Maddison, Albrighton; Vardy

Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Young, Lindelof, Jones, Shaw; Herrera, Matic; Lingard, Pogba, Martial; Rashford


Head To Head

Sunday's match will represent the 128th competitive meeting between the two clubs, with United registering 65 wins in comparison to 33 victories for Leicester.

United hold a dominant record in this fixture since 1999, with 16 triumphs coming from a total of 20 contests in all competitions.

Leicester's only success during that time was the famous 5-3 game at the King Power Stadium in September 2014.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Leicester City 1-3 Manchester United

Leicester may have impressed against the bigger teams this season, but we feel that Solskjaer and United will learn from the mistakes made by some of their rivals and run out convincing winners against the Foxes.


Share this article now:

Who will win Sunday's Premier League clash between Leicester City and Manchester United?

Leicester City
Draw
Manchester United
Leicester City
13.3%
Draw
6.0%
Manchester United
80.7%
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on January 29, 2019
Read Next:
Solskjaer challenges Martial to follow in Ronaldo's footsteps at United
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool25195156154162
2Manchester CityMan City25192466204659
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs25190651242757
4Chelsea25155545232250
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd25146549351448
6Arsenal25145651361547
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2511593332138
8Watford259793334-134
9Everton2596103636033
10Bournemouth25103123744-733
11Leicester CityLeicester2595113031-132
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham2595113138-732
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2576122736-927
14Crystal Palace2575132633-726
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2566132133-1224
16Southampton2559112742-1524
17Burnley2566132646-2024
18Cardiff CityCardiff2564152246-2422
19Fulham2545162555-3017
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2525181346-3311

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account