Prediction: Manchester United win
Best Odds: 7/5
Bookmaker: 888sport
Another weekend, another set of vital fixtures – but this time, most of them are taking place in the FA Cup. We’re now at the quarter-final stage of this season’s competition with eight teams battling it out to win, arguably, the most historic trophy in English football. The two teams who we’ll be looking at today, Leicester City and Manchester United, both had high expectations heading into the campaign and both will fancy themselves to progress on Sunday.
Leicester
Instead of crumbling under the top four pressure as they did last season, Leicester are starting to show the resilience that was really lacking when they were last pushing for a spot in the Champions League. Through quality, tenacity and strong management from Brendan Rodgers, they seem to have found a winning combination even in the face of a few setbacks. That doesn’t mean they’re necessarily the favourites this weekend, but they shouldn’t be counted out by any stretch of the imagination.
Team News
Praet is a fitness doubt here with Morgan, Maddison, Justin, Barnes and Pereira all still being crucial absences for Leicester. However, with Vardy lacking form, Iheanacho has really been able to step up and will likely feature again here.
Manchester United
Manchester United no longer feel like the laughing stock of the Premier League elite and while it’s taken them a few years to get to this point, we think that’s a testament to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He’s had a great deal of scrutiny and adversity put in his way, with many believing he wouldn’t last longer than a year in the job. Alas, here he is, still fighting on several fronts with United looking set for at least one final this season – so long as they keep their eyes on the prize.
Team News
Martial, Cavani, Bailly and Rashford are all fitness doubts with Jones and Mata being ruled out. Elsewhere, Henderson is expected to start despite de Gea’s recent return with questions being raised over whether Pogba will play the whole game.
Factors to Consider
- In their last meeting on Boxing Day, Leicester and Man United drew 2-2.
- Leicester have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six games.
- Man United have won three and drawn three of their last six games.
- Leicester have scored 11 goals and conceded eight in their last six games.
- Man United have scored five goals and conceded one in their last six games.
Conclusion
Our expectation is that this’ll be quite a tense battle between two teams who know they’re just three wins away from lifting a piece of silverware – and one win away from Wembley. Leicester need to be patient and try to work on the counter against a strong defensive unit in United, whereas Ole’s men know the Foxes have some issues at the back. In the end, we think the Red Devils will just about be able to scrape through with a 1-0 win.
Prediction: Manchester United win
Best Odds: 7/5
Bookmaker: 888sport
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