Manchester United get started on their 2018-19 campaign to oust rivals City as Premier League top dogs by welcoming Leicester City to Old Trafford.
Not many sides would moan about the runners-up spot in the table, but then Manchester United are not simply ‘any’ side. The red half of Manchester still expect the Premier League trophy to be permanently in the club’s possession, even though they’ve not come close since Sir Alex Ferguson cleared his desk.
Nothing but the top spot will do for United this term and, unless they somehow win the Champions League, it will likely be Jose Mourinho’s last season in charge if he fails – that is if he doesn’t jump before he’s pushed.
For Leicester, this new campaign could lead to anything, but a repeat of their incomprehensible 2015-16 EPL-winning success is definitely out of reach. Claude Puel’s squad is freshly devoid of Riyad Mahrez, with the Algerian playmaker now wearing the sky blue of United’s rivals. City will simply be hoping to avoid a prolonged relegation scrap this term.
Read on for Manchester United v Norwich City stars, team news, predictions and betting tips.
Manchester United v Leicester City betting tips
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No doubt Manchester United will thoroughly expect to win this game. Despite that 4-1 capitulation to Liverpool in the USA’s International Champions Cup, the Red Devils went on to beat Real Madrid 2-1, easing a few trepidations their fans might have had about the new term.
It’s a new, Mahrez-free dawn for Leicester City, and just how they’ll fare without the Algerian is anybody’s guess. In order to lessen their loss, the Foxes have snapped up another Algerian wide man, Rachid Ghezzal, from Monaco. The club are have also managed to cling on to Harry Maguire, with United themselves keen on the England defender.
There’s a great deal of uncertainty about both sides, but United simply have more class to call upon. Manager Jose Mourinho has never lost on the opening day of the Premier League, winning eight times and drawing once. Meanwhile, none of the Foxes last seven league trips to Old Trafford have resulted in a win. They have lost four of their last seven top-flight matches at the Theatre of Dreams.
You have to see United taking the game, but expect goals at both ends given Kelechi Iheacho’s end-of-season form, which saw him score against Arsenal and Spurs. In pre-season he has also added to his recent tally. In total, it’s five goals in the Nigeria striker’s last six Leicester appearances.
United to win and over 2.5 goals – 7/5
Odds correct at time of publishing (09/08/2018, 09:55)
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What can Manchester United and Leicester City expect from the 18/19 EPL season?
Manchester United could count themselves the only serious contenders to City last season, although such was the dominance of Pep Guardiola’s men that this is perhaps being a little generous. They did finish 19 points behind.
Much has been said about Paul Pogba’s performances in the World Cup in comparison to the way he plays when he pulls on that red shirt. Mourinho simply has to get the Frenchman playing fully to his strengths, and much the same can be said about Alexis Sanchez.
Leicester fans will no doubt now be mourning their heroic 2015/16 line-up. Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater and Robert Huth have all now gone, so the likes of Demarai Gray and new boy Jonny Evans will need to make the step up and help City push for a Europa League spot.
It’s very hard to see where Leicester will end up this season. Claude Puel took over from Craig Shakespeare last term and shoved the side up the right end of the table, but the team then faltered as the season neared its conclusion. If City get off to a bad start, expect a basement battle to be the main aspect of the side’s 2018-19 campaign.
Manchester United v Leicester City team news
Both sides are likely to be a full strength in terms of major injuries. However, both United and Leicester will have fitness doubts about their World Cup stars. Harry Maguire and Jamie Vardy were both still in Russia for the competition’s final weekend, as were Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini, Marcus Rashford et al for the Red Devils.
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