Second meets third in a Boxing Day blockbuster as Leicester welcome Manchester United to the King Power Stadium.
Victory will see Leicester stay second for another round but a win for Man Utd would see them leapfrog the Foxes into second and move to within two points of league leaders, Liverpool.
Team News
Jamie Vardy is set to be in contention for Leicester despite suffering a groin strain towards the conclusion of Sunday’s win at Tottenham.
Caglar Soyuncu could return from his own groin injury but Ricardo Pereira is ruled out until New Year as he struggles with his own groin issue.
Man Utd could welcome Scott McTominay back from a groin injury that kept him out of their midweek Carabao Cup win at Everton.
Marcos Rojo (calf) and Phil Jones (knee) remain sidelined until at least the New Year.
Stat Attack
- Leicester have taken just three points out of a possible 33 from their last 11 league games against Manchester United (D3, L8).
- Man Utd are unbeaten in their last six trips to King Power Stadium since losing 5-3 in September 2014 (W4, D2).
- Foxes are unbeaten in their last three home games against Utd held during December (W1, D2), with both draws finishing as 2-2 results in 1967 and 2017.
- Three Man Utd players have grabbed braces in their last two matches, Marcus Rashford (v Sheffield Utd) plus Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes (v Leeds) (W2).
- No Belgian Premier League player has made more interceptions so far this season than Leicester’s Youri Tielemans with 20 interceptions in 14 league appearances.
- Leicester have lost three of their last five Boxing Day home games dating back to December 2013 (W2, L3).
- Man Utd have lost one of their last five Boxing Day fixtures of which their last four were all at home with that defeat coming in their last away Boxing Day trip at Stoke in December 2015 (W3, D1, L1).
Prediction
Leicester produced a brilliant counter-attacking display at Tottenham even if they lacked the clinical edge to take chances better, although it will stand them in good stead for what will be a tricky contest.
Man Utd meanwhile have been absolutely superb in terms of their pressing across their last two matches against Leeds then Everton, although they did find themselves producing two contrasting performances in both games because the Toffees put up a more stubborn defence than Leeds.
This festive period though is definitely one which requires squad rotation and if Leicester can produce a strong defensive display with clinical counter finishing like Everton did in Carabao Cup on Wednesday, they could nick this otherwise Man Utd will get a seventh league win in eight.
Prediction: Leicester 1-2 Manchester United
Result: Leicester City 2-2 Manchester United
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