Manchester United vs Leicester City: On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Manchester United will host Leicester City at Old Trafford for the fourth matchday of the EFL Cup. Here’s a brief preview of Manchester United vs Leicester City.
Head-to-Head Record
- Last 7 Years:
- Manchester United: 6 Wins
- Leicester City: 3 Wins
- Draws: 2
Last 5 Meetings
- 19 Feb 2023: Manchester United 3-0 Leicester City (Premier League)
- 02 Sep 2022: Leicester City 0-1 Manchester United (Premier League)
- 02 Apr 2022: Manchester United 1-1 Leicester City (Premier League)
- 16 Oct 2021: Leicester City 4-2 Manchester United (Premier League)
- 11 May 2021: Manchester United 1-2 Leicester City (Premier League)
Form Guide
- Manchester United (All Competitions):
L-D-D-W-D-L- Recent struggles with inconsistent results, including a few draws and losses.
- Leicester City (All Competitions):
D-W-L-W-W-L- Leicester’s form has been more promising with three wins in their last five matches.
- EFL Cup Form:
- Manchester United: W
- Leicester City: W-W
Possible Lineups
Manchester United:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Onana; Dalot, De Ligt, Lindelof, Martinez; Ugarte, Eriksen; Diallo, Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee
Leicester City:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Ward; Justin, Coady, Okoli, Thomas; Soumare, Skipp; McAteer, El Khannouss, De Cordova-Reid; Edouard
Key Players to Watch
- Manchester United:
- Bruno Fernandes: The playmaker is key to United’s creativity and can unlock Leicester’s defense.
- Alejandro Garnacho: His pace on the wing will trouble Leicester’s backline.
- Leicester City:
- Boubakary Soumare: A solid presence in midfield who can disrupt United’s rhythm.
- Odsonne Edouard: The striker is capable of capitalizing on defensive lapses.
Important Stats
- Manchester United scores 1.6 goals per match against Leicester City on average, while Leicester scores 1.4 goals against United.
- Average Goals per Meeting: 3.
- Manchester United has won 12 out of the last 18 home matches against Leicester City.
- Leicester City wins 68% of their matches when leading 0-1 away.
- Manchester United has not lost in their last 4 matches.
- Both teams lost their most recent fixture.
SWOT Analysis: Manchester United vs Leicester City
Manchester United
Strengths:
- Home Advantage: United has won 12 out of 18 matches against Leicester at Old Trafford, making it a fortress in head-to-head battles.
- Solid Attack: United averages 1.75 goals per game at home and has scored 1.6 goals per match against Leicester in previous meetings.
- High Win Probability: With a 71.9% chance of winning, Manchester United is expected to dominate this fixture.
- Key Players: Bruno Fernandes and Garnacho bring creativity and threat in the final third, while De Ligt strengthens the defense.
- Strong Halftime Performances: They win 35% of halftimes, indicating their ability to start matches on the front foot.
Weaknesses:
- Inconsistent Form: Recent performances have been shaky with only 1 win in the last 5 matches across all competitions.
- Defensive Vulnerability: The team has struggled when falling behind, winning only 30% of games when trailing at home.
- Pressure on Key Players: With injuries to key squad members, heavy reliance on Fernandes for creativity could become a liability.
Opportunities:
- Chance to Build Momentum: A win in the EFL Cup could help restore confidence and momentum in the squad.
- Rotation Opportunities: The cup format allows Erik ten Hag to experiment with players like Zirkzee and Diallo, keeping regular starters fresh.
- Leicester’s Defensive Gaps: Leicester has allowed goals in recent matches, which United could exploit through fast transitions.
Threats:
- Leicester’s Form: Despite being underdogs, Leicester has had a better recent form, winning 3 of their last 5 matches.
- Complacency Risk: With a perceived higher win probability, there’s a risk of underestimating Leicester’s capabilities.
- Fixture Congestion: Balancing EFL Cup commitments with league matches might impact performance levels.
Leicester City
Strengths:
- Recent Form: Leicester has shown positive momentum with 3 wins in their last 5 matches across all competitions.
- Strong Away Performance: They win 68% of their matches when leading 1-0 away from home, showing resilience on the road.
- Halftime Performance: Winning 42% of halftimes, Leicester is capable of strong starts, putting pressure on opponents early.
- Key Players: Edouard, McAteer, and De Cordova-Reid are in good form and provide a goal threat.
Weaknesses:
- Struggles Against United: Leicester has lost 23 of their 37 meetings with Manchester United, highlighting a historical disadvantage.
- Defensive Issues: They concede 1.4 goals on average against United, which could be problematic given United’s attack.
- Poor Recovery Rate: Leicester has a low win percentage (9%) when trailing 1-0 away, reflecting difficulties in coming back.
Opportunities:
- Exploit United’s Inconsistent Form: Leicester can capitalize on United’s recent struggles and low confidence.
- Cup Upset Potential: As underdogs, they have the freedom to play without pressure, which could result in a surprise win.
- Midfield Control: With Soumare and Skipp in midfield, Leicester can disrupt United’s play and control possession.
Threats:
- Hostile Atmosphere at Old Trafford: Leicester’s poor away record at Old Trafford could affect their confidence.
- United’s Experience in Big Matches: United’s experience in knockout games could give them an edge.
- Key Players Underperforming: If Edouard or McAteer are marked out of the game, Leicester might struggle to create chances.
Manchester United vs Leicester City Prediction
With Manchester United’s home advantage and Leicester City’s recent good form, this match could go either way. United are likely to dominate possession, but Leicester’s counterattacking threat will keep the hosts on their toes. Expect a competitive game with goals from both sides.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Leicester City
Follow Thesportsprince.com for the best previews and football analysis.
