European qualification is up for grabs in Sunday’s final week of the English Premier League where the game of the day sees Leicester take on visitors Manchester United. Get our Sunday soccer betting tips as we assess the game of the day.
It is the final week of the English Premier League, interrupted due to the Covid-19 epidemic; but there will be little respite for teams and players with the new season scheduled to get underway in early-August.
The pick of Sunday’s fixture list on the final day of the season sees faltering Leicester City host visitors Manchester United in what should be a cracker with both sights firmly in the hunt to secure a place in the Champions League next season.
LEICESTER EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CRUMBLING
Leicester have been woeful since the league restarted with Brendan Rogers’ side registering just two wins from their eight matches since the resumption; Manchester United on the other hand have been in good form in the league although their 19-match unbeaten run was ended in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend with a humbling defeat against Chelsea.
However, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side hold the upper hand over fifth-placed Leicester and know that a point will confirm their status in third place and guarantee a Champions’ League place. Meanwhile a point for Leicester might be enough to see them also qualify depending on what happens in the match between fourth-placed Chelsea and sixth-placed Wolverhampton.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams, but United certainly have the better form coming into the match.
UNITED HAVE UPPER HAND ON PAST FORM
The Red Devils have stumbled a little in the league in recent weeks, but remain unbeaten since the restart although two of their last three matches have ended in draws. Those have both been at Old Trafford however and United have won their last three on the road – the semi-final notwithstanding – without conceding.
Leicester meanwhile have lost three of their last six matches, latterly being demolished 3-0 by a rampant Tottenham. However, they have won three of their last four home matches with a draw in between and haven’t conceded in their last four matches at the King Power Stadium with nine goals scored.
Perhaps more important, the Foxes haven’t beaten Manchester United in the last six years with the visitors winning seven times with three draws in their ten meetings during that spell. Leicester have also struggled against top-six opposition all campaign and haven’t manage to beat any of the teams that feature above them.
Their last meeting with Manchester United at Old Trafford in September saw them beaten 1-0; while United also won by the same scoreline on their last visit to this ground.
TIRING UNITED LOOKING TO HANG ON
Despite their impressive run of form, there has been signs of tiredness permeating through the United side with coach Solskjaer reticent to rotate his squad. That has led to talisman Bruno Fernandes suffering a dip in form; while the potent front line of Rashford, Martial and Greenwood have all seen their recent performances suffer.
That has to be a concern; while David De Gea’s recent clanger in the semi-final remains fresh in the mind and he conceded again in midweek against West Ham. There’s certainly some defensive frailties that can be exploited, while the United frontline are also packing less of a punch.
Whether they can muster up the energy for one last, big push is questionable and despite results suggesting otherwise United have declined in recent weeks.
FRESH LEICESTER COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS
Leicester meanwhile have also struggled, letting slip what looked an unassailable position prior to the lockdown having built up a big lead over United and sitting in third spot in the table. A top-four finish for Brendan Rodgers’ side looked a certainty, but their dismal run since the restart has left them with unfinished business.
However, while United come into this game following an outing in midweek, the Foxes have had a free week and those fresher legs could provide an advantage over the tired visitors. Their home form has also been better in recent weeks, although they have injuries to some key players which will make this another tough afternoon for the home side.
BIG-MATCH VERDICT
Matches between these two teams tend to be tight, cagey affairs and with plenty on the line for both teams this is likely to follow a similar path.
Leicester’s fresher legs will be an advantage and they are always likely to score with Jamie Vardy leading the line against a Manchester United defence that has proven vulnerable in recent weeks and David De Gea’s confidence will have suffered following his semi-final howler.
United’s front-line can cause problems at the other end of the pitch, but having looked jaded might not prove as lethal as he have been. They still have enough though to cause problems for Leicester’s rear-guard.
A draw could potentially suit both teams with United needing one point to assure qualification into next season’s Champions’ League while honors shared may also be enough to see Leicester claim fourth spot depending on results elsewhere.
Brendan Rodgers’ side however will likely want to make their own fate and a defeat of United will guarantee the Foxes Champions League football next season. With their recent home record and the advantage of coming into this game a fresher side having not played in midweek our Sunday soccer betting tips are siding with the home team to end their dismal run against the visitors and sneak the three points they need.
SUNDAY SOCCER BETTING TIPS RECOMMENDATION
BET 1: Leicester City to win, both teams to score YES @ +500 (Bet365)
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