Manchester United have finally turned it on and just in the nick of time. The Red Devils had been a disaster under Jose Mourinho, and it seemed unlikely for them to make it back to the Champions League with a top four finish. However, the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lit a spark under this team. United won their first eight games in all competitions under Solskjaer, and they have picked up results in all nine of his matches after a draw against Burnley on Tuesday. They are now just two points behind Arsenal and Chelsea in the race to finish in the top four, but they face a tough test when they take on Leicester City this Sunday.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from King Power Stadium in Leicester, England at 9 a.m. ET on Sunday, February 3, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on NBCSN.
EPL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Leicester City +294
Manchester United +106
Draw +253
Over/Under 2.5 and 3
Odds Analysis
The Foxes are smack dab in the middle of the table, and they even have a dead-even goal differential too. Leicester City secured a big result against Liverpool in Anfield on Wednesday, and they very well could have won the match if Harry Maguire hadn’t have missed an empty net with a header early in the first half. This is a club that has continually challenged the top teams in the Premier League, knocking off Chelsea and Manchester City in the last five weeks, so United must be aware that they are a team that rises to the occasion.
United have poured in the goals with Solskjaer in charge. He has opened things up in the midfield and had the novel idea to use Paul Pogba as an attacking midfielder instead of a holding midfielder. They have scored multiple goals in eight of their nine matches under his watch, with the one exception being a 1-0 road win against Tottenham Hotspur. Solskjaer was hired on as an interim manager, but many are saying that he has earned himself the job after this performance.
Key Injuries
There is one injury to note for Leicester City. Daniel Amartey had foot surgery in early March, and he has been sidelined for the last three months in order to recover. He is expected to miss another month until he is ready to return.
Marouane Fellaini and Marcos Rojo are both going to miss another three weeks for United. Fellaini is dealing with a lower leg injury, while Rojo is dealing with an undisclosed issue. Anthony Martial picked up a knock and is questionable to play, and Paul Pogba is considered questionable for this one too.
Matchup to Watch
Leicester City have had some poor performances against middle and bottom tier teams, but they have largely fared well against big six clubs. Much of the reason for that lies in their ability to counter. They break out with a quickness, and that ability to go on the offensive in a hurry will be on display here. Under Solskjaer, United are keen to attack, so they will be open to counters.
Previous Meeting
These teams met in the Premier League season opener back on August 10, and although United won 2-1 in Old Trafford, they were rather fortunate to get the victory. Leicester City outplayed them for long stretches, and they ended up with more possession and better chances than the hosts.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
I’m calling for the upset here. Leicester have impressed me enough that I’m a believer, so I’m going to bet on them to grab the win at home. The Foxes should have beat United in Old Trafford back in August, and with Pogba dinged up, they will pull out the win this time.
English Premier League Odds: Leicester City 2, Manchester United 1
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