By Ian S. Palmer
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The top two teams in the English Premier League are set to clash this Saturday, November 28 as Leicester City hosts Manchester United at King Power Stadium in Leicester. Some fans may have predicted Manchester United to be in second place after the first 13 games of the 2015/16 season, but nobody would have predicted that Leicester would be leading the league even after they were one of the hottest teams at the end of last year. However, they’ve gone from just escaping relegation last season to the league’s top club this campaign.
Leicester City vs Manchester United – Pinnacle Sports Soccer BETTING LINE:
- Pinnacle Sports currently lists Man United as the favorites at +141 with Leicester +215 and a draw at +247
Leicester City vs Manchester United – Head to Head
- Leicester City beat United 5-3 at home last season after falling behind 3-1, while United won the match at Old Trafford Leicester City hadn’t beaten United in their previous seven home matches until that win with five straight defeats. They were also shutout in four of those losses. Overall, these two sides have met 119 times with United winning 60, losing 33 and drawing the other 26. They’ve won 11 of the last 12 meetings.
Leicester enters the contest with 28 points from eight wins, four draws and a single loss. They’ve scored a league-high 28 goals and allowed 20 against with English international forward Jamie Vardy tying a league record with a goal in 10 straight games and has 13 on the campaign. Man United sits one position and points behind the hosts with 27 points from eight victories, three draws and a pair of defeats. They’ve scored just 19 times, but have the best defense in the league with just nine goals against. Basically, what we have here is the league’s top offensive squad against the top defensive side. Leicester has four wins and a draw in their past five league outings while United has three wins and two draws.
Leicester was last leading the Premier League early in the 2000/01 season and were knocked off their perch by Man United. They finished the season in the bottom half of the table and were relegated just18 months later. New Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has seen his team win four, draw one and lose one at home this season with 13 goals for and 11 against. They’ve won four in a row and Vardy will be aiming for a goal in his 11th consecutive match. Leicester’s one and only defeat this season came at the hands of Arsenal when they were downed 5-2 at home.
Man United is coming off of a dull 0-0 draw at home at Old Trafford to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday in the European Champions League and may not advance to the next round unless they pull up their socks and start scoring some goals. They did manage a pair last week in a 2-1 win over Watford in the league though. United has four victories, a draw and two defeats on the road this season with 10 goals scored and eight allowed. However, four of their last seven games in all competitions have ended 0-0 with United winning three straight until meeting PSV. Overall, they’re riding a nine-match unbeaten streak. It looks like United will be without defender Phil Jones and midfielder Ander Herrera as their status is unknown. In addition, fullback/winger Antonio Valencia is out for the game along with midfielder Michael Carrick.
Leicester is a high-energy team which doesn’t mind taking chances and leaving holes in their defense as the attack. This means there’s a good chance both teams could find the back of the net on Saturday and it may be an entertaining encounter.