Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Getting a new era underway on Wednesday night, Manchester United will welcome Leicester to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, suffering a hugely controversial 2-1 loss away at West Ham over the weekend, that result was enough to cost Erik ten Hag his job at Old Trafford. Officially parting ways with the former Ajax boss on Monday afternoon, ex-United marksman Ruud van Nistelrooy will now take charge on an interim boss. Remarkably scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League table and breaking a string of unwanted records this season, the Red Devils are desperately seeking some kind of boost. Failing to muster a single victory from any of their first three Europa League appearances, Wednesday’s hosts have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous eight appearances across all competitions. Showing a string of issues at both ends of the pitch, Man United have also failed to find any kind of fluidity on home soil. Despite snatching a 2-1 victory against Brentford when returning from October’s international break, they have failed to collect back-to-back wins at Old Trafford since the middle of March.
Team News
Suffering a sprained ankle against Fenerbahce last week, Manchester United will be without Brazilian winger Antony on Wednesday night. Not making a single appearance across any competition over the past month, former Chelsea star Mason Mount remains a major doubt here.
Likewise, United are also unable to call upon the English trio of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo in midweek. Only notching a single Premier League strike since arriving from Bologna over the summer, Dutch international Joshua Zrikzee could be handed a chance from the start.
Leicester
As for the visitors, eventually falling to a 3-1 loss at home against Nottingham Forest last weekend, Leicester will be hoping to claim an immediate response here. Although the Foxes might have been tipped as a leading relegation contender when making their Premier League return this season, Steve Cooper’s side have gained plenty of plaudits. Marking their return from October’s international break with a remarkable 3-2 victory away at Southampton, Wednesday’s guests have lost just a pair of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. However, signing off September with a frantic 4-2 loss at the hands of Arsenal, Leicester are seeking some crucial defensive stability. Despite entering October’s fortnight interval with a 1-0 win against Bournemouth, that is the only Premier League clean sheet that Cooper’ side have registered this season. It should also be highlighted, the top-flight returners have suffered just a single defeat away from the King Power since the end of August.
Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Leicester will once again be without the likes of Patson Daka, Jannik Vestergaard and Hamza Choudhury here. Wales international goalkeeper Danny Ward should be handed a chance between the sticks at Old Trafford.
With attacking talisman Jamie Vardy set to be handed a rest on Wednesday night, Crystal Palace loanee Odsonne Edouard could lead Cooper’s attack. Arriving from Tottenham over the summer, Oliver Skipper will be hoping for a full recall in midweek.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester United and Leicester last met back in February 2023, the Red collected a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford.
- Man United have recorded just a single win from any of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
- Despite a 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest over the weekend, Leicester have lost just a pair of their previous seven appearances.
- All of Leicester’s first four Premier League away fixtures have finished with both teams finding the net.
- Manchester United have failed to win back-to-back appearances at Old Trafford since the middle of March.
Conclusion
Getting a new era underway on Wednesday night, Manchester United will be desperate to avoid a potential EFL Cup banana skin. Remarkably winning just on of their previous eight appearances across all competitions, they have also shown some real inconsistencies at Old Trafford. Failing to clinch consecutive victories in the red half of Manchester since the middle of March, United will meet a Leicester squad that could be smelling the chance to spring another upset.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
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