On October 31, 2024, Manchester United and Leicester City clash at Old Trafford in the EFL Cup Fourth Round. This match holds significant importance as it provides an opportunity for both teams to secure a spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. The venue will witness the debut of Ruud van Nistelrooy as interim manager for United, following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.
United, currently 13th in the Premier League, has had a turbulent season, with a record of LDWDD in their last five matches. Leicester, though struggling near the relegation zone in the Premier League, has shown resilience, reflected in their LWWLW form. Weather conditions predict a cool 12°C with broken clouds.
capitaliseBookmakers favour a Manchester United victory, making a bet on Manchester United -1.50 Asian Handicap at odds of 2.05 highly recommended. The Red Devils are keen to capitalise on their home advantage and reset their season’s trajectory under new leadership.
Manchester United vs. Leicester City Prediction & Betting Tip
Based on current form and statistics, the recommended betting tip for this match is the Manchester United -1.50 Asian Handicap. Given Manchester United’s home advantage and Leicester City’s inconsistent form, this bet holds promise.
| Manchester United vs. Leicester City Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Manchester United -1.50 Asian Handicap | 2.05 |
- Manchester United is the favorite according to bookmakers with odds of 1.30 for a home win.
- Recent performance shows United has only one loss in their last five games.
- Leicester’s defensive vulnerabilities could be exploited by United’s b attacking lineup. This bet is mostly driven by Manchester United’s performances and the context of their home advantage.
Manchester United vs. Leicester City Odds
Manchester United are the clear favourites for this EFL Cup clash at Old Trafford, with bookmakers heavily backing them to secure the win. Their recent form, combined with a managerial change, gives them a b edge over Leicester City.
Here’s a quick look at the betting odds:
| Manchester United vs. Leicester City Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Manchester United | 1.30 |
| Draw | 5.53 |
| Leicester City | 8.99 |
Given these odds, a bet on Manchester United seems the safest option, but surprises can happen in cup football. For those looking for better returns, considering the handicap betting markets might add some value.
Manchester United Team Analysis
Manchester United Recent Performance LDWDD
Manchester United’s recent form in the last five games shows a mix of results, recording one win, two draws, and two losses. This includes a draw against Fenerbahce and a recent narrow defeat to West Ham, which led to the sacking of manager Erik ten Hag.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| West Ham United | Manchester United | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Fenerbahce | Manchester United | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Manchester United | Brentford | 2-1 (Win) |
| Aston Villa | Manchester United | 0-0 (Draw) |
| FC Porto | Manchester United | 3-3 (Draw) |
| In these matches, Manchester United averaged 1.4 goals scored per game but managed just one clean sheet. With Ruud van Nistelrooy stepping in as interim manager, the team aims to turn their fortunes around. |
Manchester United Key Players
Manchester United will rely heavily on their creative midfielders and forward lineup for this encounter against Leicester City. Alejandro Garnacho, who is the top scorer with 2 goals in the competition so far, will be one of the main attacking threats. Another crucial player is Marcus Rashford, who has also scored 2 goals in the tournament. His ability to break through defences and find the back of the net will be essential for Manchester United.
In midfield, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro will look to control the game and provide assists to the forwards. Fernandes’ vision and passing will be key to unlocking Leicester’s defence. Given recent injuries, the expected lineup for Manchester United is:
- Goalkeeper: Andre Onana
- Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui
- Midfielders: Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes
- Forward: Rasmus Hoejlund
Key individual battles to watch include Rashford against Leicester’s Ricardo Pereira and Garnacho against Wout Faes. These duels could dictate the outcome of the match.
Manchester United Suspensions & Injuries
Manchester United is facing a number of injury concerns ahead of their EFL Cup clash against Leicester City, which could impact their squad depth and performance.
Injuries:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Tyrell Malacia | Knee surgery | Late November 2024 |
| Leny Yoro | Leg injury | Back in training |
| Luke Shaw | Calf injury | A few days |
| Mason Mount | Head injury | Early November 2024 |
| Harry Maguire | Ankle injury | Early November 2024 |
| Kobbie Mainoo | Muscle injury | Late November 2024 |
| Antony Matheus dos Santos | Ankle injury | Late November 2024 |
| Toby Collyer | Knock injury | Doubtful |
| Noussair Mazraoui | Knee injury | Doubtful |
These injuries may force interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy to make tactical adjustments and rely on less experienced squad members. Key players like Luke Shaw and Mason Mount nearing their return could be a boost, but their current absence might be felt in defensive solidity and midfield creativity.
Manchester United Tactics and Formation
Manchester United Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Rasmus Højlund
- Midfield Orchestrators: Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen
- Defensive Backbone: Andre Onana, Matthijs de Ligt, and Lisandro Martinez
- Recent Tactical Shift: With Erik ten Hag dismissed, interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will look to stabilise the team.
- Notable Strategy: United tend to press high, utilising quick, dynamic wingers like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, who has been in good scoring form.
- Injury Impact: Multiple injuries in the defensive line, including Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, might force reliance on versatility within the squad.
Despite recent struggles, the tactical blueprint remains focused on fast transitions and exploiting wide areas to create scoring opportunities.
Leicester Team Analysis
Recent Performance LWWLW
Leicester City has shown a mixed bag of performances in their last five matches, but overall, they managed to clinch three wins out of five. Their form line reads LWWLW, reflecting their capacity to bounce back from setbacks. They are coming off a loss against Nottingham Forest but have secured recent wins against Southampton and AFC Bournemouth. On average, Leicester has scored 2.00 goals per game across these matches and kept two clean sheets.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Leicester City | Nottingham Forest | 1-3 (Loss) |
| Southampton | Leicester City | 2-3 (Win) |
| Leicester City | AFC Bournemouth | 1-0 (Win) |
| Arsenal | Leicester City | 4-2 (Loss) |
| Walsall | Leicester City | 0-0 (Win) |
| Leicester’s attacking prowess, led by Stephy Mavididi, and their recent clean sheets show they are capable of b performances both offensively and defensively. |
Leicester Key Players
Expected lineup for Leicester:
- Goalkeeper: Mads Hermansen
- Defenders: Ricardo Pereira, Wout Faes, Memeh Caleb Okoli, James Justin
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Harry Winks, Abdul Fatawu, Facundo Buonanotte, Stephy Mavididi
- Forwards: Jamie Vardy
In terms of key players, Stephy Mavididi stands out as Leicester’s top scorer this season, having netted once in the current EFL Cup campaign. Jamie Vardy remains a crucial presence up front with his experience and ability to exploit defensive lapses. On the defensive side, Ricardo Pereira will likely play a vital role in thwarting Manchester United’s attacking threats. Look out for an intriguing battle between Leicester’s forwards and Manchester United’s defenders, particularly Matthijs de Ligt, which could be a decisive factor in the outcome of the match.
Leicester Suspensions & Injuries
For Leicester, injuries could play a significant role in the match against Manchester United. The team has several key players out, impacting their defence and attack.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Patson Daka | Ankle injury | Late November 2024 |
| Jakub Stolarczyk | Ankle injury | Back in training |
| Hamza Choudhury | Dislocated shoulder | Early December 2024 |
| Jannik Vestergaard | Ankle injury | Mid November 2024 |
| Victor Kristiansen | Muscle injury | Mid November 2024 |
| Currently, Leicester has no players suspended. | ||
| Injuries to key players like Patson Daka and Hamza Choudhury could hinder Leicester’s attacking options and midfield stability. The absence of Jannik Vestergaard and Victor Kristiansen weakens their defensive options, making them more vulnerable against Manchester United’s attack. |
Leicester Tactics and Formation
Leicester’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Jamie Vardy
- Midfield Trio: Wilfred Ndidi, Harry Winks, Abdul Fatawu
- Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy: Leicester often focuses on a solid defensive setup, looking to break quickly through the wings and utilize Vardy’s pace upfront. The inclusion of Fatawu and Buonanotte supports this with swift transitions from defense to attack. Their wide defenders, Ricardo Pereira and James Justin, add width and support with overlapping runs, contributing both defensively and in creating scoring opportunities from wide positions.
Manchester United vs. Leicester Head-to-Head Statistics
The last five encounters between Manchester United and Leicester City have showcased a mix of results. Here’s a quick look at their recent meetings:
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | Leicester City | 3-0 |
| Leicester City | Manchester United | 0-1 |
| Manchester United | Leicester City | 1-1 |
| Leicester City | Manchester United | 4-2 |
| Manchester United | Leicester City | 1-2 |
| From these matchups, Manchester United has had a slight upper hand, securing two wins and one draw. | ||
| However, Leicester City has also had its moments, notably a 4-2 victory in October 2021. This history suggests another competitive clash at Old Trafford. |
Venue and Weather
Old Trafford is set to host the encounter between Manchester United and Leicester City. Known as the “Theatre of Dreams,” this iconic stadium boasts a capacity of approximately 74,000. The electrifying atmosphere of a night game at Old Trafford is sure to add to the matchday excitement.
The weather forecast for match day predicts broken clouds with a temperature of 12°C, humidity at 86%, and a gentle wind speed of 1.04 m/s. These conditions are generally favourable for football, though the high humidity might slightly affect player endurance.
Both teams will need to strategise, considering the potential slipperiness of the pitch due to the humidity. Expect the teams to focus on maintaining possession and avoiding long passes that could be disrupted by the wet surface.
Manchester United vs Leicester City Live Streaming: Where to Watch?
The live broadcast of the Carabao Cup 2024-25 match between Manchester United and Leicester City will not be available in India.
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