Leicester City vs. Man U
Venue: King Power Stadium
Kick off: 4PM
Leicester City and Manchester United will both be looking to secure top-four finishes in the Premier League table when the pair lock horns this afternoon for what is a huge contest at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes are currently fifth in the table, one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea and third-placed United, meaning that the three sides are battling for two positions, with Chelsea hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on the same afternoon.
Entering the lockdown period in March, Leicester were third in the table, five points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea and eight clear of fifth-placed United, meaning that they were in a brilliant position to claim a top-four spot and a return to the Champions League.
The Foxes have struggled since returning to the field last month, though, picking up just two wins from their eight league matches, suffering three defeats in the process, to drop outside of the Champions League positions.
Brendan Rodgers’s side know that a win over United would guarantee a top-four finish, although a point could also be enough. Indeed, if Chelsea were to lose at home to Wolves then a draw would see Leicester claim fourth as they have a much better goal difference than Frank Lampard’s team.
It is absolutely fascinating heading into the final afternoon, and the fact that United dropped points at home to West Ham United on Wednesday, coupled with Chelsea’s loss at Liverpool, means that Leicester are still in the hunt despite their disappointing form since the restart.
The Foxes have been fairly strong at the King Power Stadium this season, winning 11 of their 18 league games and suffering just three defeats, while they have won three of their last four on home soil.
United moved from fifth to third on Wednesday despite the fact that they were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham at Old Trafford; it was a tough game for the Red Devils, who needed Mason Greenwood to come up with a second-half leveler following Michail Antonio’s opener from the penalty spot.
The 20-time English champions have won five and drawn three of their eight Premier League games since the restart, placing themselves in an excellent position to secure a return to the Champions League.
As mentioned, a point would ensure that they finish inside the top four, although they could lose and still qualify for next season’s Champions League if Chelsea fail to overcome sixth-placed Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
The recent draws with Southampton and West Ham, in addition to the 3-1 loss to Chelsea in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, have been disappointing, but there is no question that the club would have taken this position when they returned to the field after the lockdown period.
Much of the club’s summer activity, namely a potential move for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, allegedly hinges on whether they can qualify for next season’s Champions League, although they could still make it by winning the Europa League if they were to drop out of contention here.
Leicester possible XI: Schmeichel, Bennett, Morgan, Evans, Thomas, Tielemans, Ndidi, Justin, Barnes, Vardy, Perez.
Man United possible XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Matic, Pogba, Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial.