Manchester United continue to chase a top four finish as Ralf Rangnick’s Red Devils host Leicester City at Old Trafford.
With Tottenham Hotspur not in action until Sunday, victory would see Man Utd climb to fifth and move to within a point of fourth-placed Arsenal.
Leicester meanwhile can go ninth with at least one point if Aston Villa lose at Wolves in a mid-afternoon kick-off.
Team News
Edinson Cavani is ruled out for Man Utd after suffering an unspecified injury whilst on international duty for Uruguay.
Mason Greenwood remains absent due to personal reasons.
Leicester could welcome Marc Albrighton back from a groin injury.
Wesley Fofana (fitness) and Harvey Barnes (ankle) are set to be in contention but Luke Thomas (hamstring) is a doubt.
Danny Ward, Ryan Bertrand, Wilfred Ndidi, Jamie Vardy (all knee) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Man Utd have won four of their last seven league meetings against Leicester (W4, D1, L2).
- Leicester have claimed just four points from their last six visits to Old Trafford (W1, D1, L4).
- Brendan Rogers’ Foxes have scored at least twice in their last three league clashes against Man Utd, during which they netted eight goals in total (W2, D1).
- No Premier League player has played more through balls this season than Utd’s Bruno Fernandes (20).
- Leicester have claimed seven points in five matches in which they came from behind to avoid defeat this season (W1, D4), with three of those four draws finishing 2-2.
Prediction
With a four-point deficit and one less game in hand than Arsenal and Tottenham in the top-four race, Man Utd need a win here in order to put the pressure on their North London based rivals for the final Champions League spot as their crunch run-in kicks off.
Utd however are coming into this game off the back of a difficult outing last time out as they exited the Champions League, following a narrow defeat to Atletico Madrid in which they simply lacked the final touch despite dominating the match so expect a reaction here.
Leicester meanwhile looked confident on the attack with excellent movement and passing play in their win over Brentford, yet Old Trafford hasn’t exactly been a positive away venue for the Foxes over the years so this will be difficult.
The first goal therefore will be key because if Utd score early, I fancy them to get the win but if Leicester strike first then this could be another cracker just like their first meeting of this season back in October if Utd’s defence aren’t at their recent best form.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Leicester
Result: Manchester United 1-1 Leicester
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