Leicester City welcome Manchester United to the King Power Stadium on Saturday as both sides look for momentum after a somewhat disappointing start to the Premier League season. Though the visitors start the weekend in fourth position, they have made heavy weather of their games across all competitions and will be looking for an all-too-rare blend of performance and result on their travels, and to simply not leave it to Cristiano Ronaldo to bail them out at the last minute.
As for Leicester, a run of two points from four league games leaves them in 13th in what has been a rare downturn in fortunes under manager Brendan Rodgers. The Foxes will be looking to win three consecutive meetings against Manchester United for the first time since November 1901. Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know:
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Viewing information
Date: Saturday, Oct. 16 | Time: 10 a.m. ET
Location: King Power Stadium — Leicester, United Kingdom
TV: USA Network | Live stream: fuboTV (try for free)
Odds: Leicester +245; Draw +255; Manchester United +108 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Featured Game | Leicester City vs. Manchester United
Storylines
Leicester: After a rare summer in which their key players were not picked off by richer clubs, the vultures appear to be circling the King Power again. However, on this occasion it is their manager who is being targeted with newly minted Newcastle United said to covet the Northern Irishman as Steve Bruce’s inevitable successor. The indications coming out of Leicester are that they expect their manager to stay in place, though the covetous glances from St. James’ Park will certainly add to the intrigue as the Foxes look to get back to winning ways.
Rodgers will hope to be able to welcome Jonny Evans back to the side for the visit of his former club. With the center back in the side Leicester look a far more solid defensive unit, something they will need when they come up against Cristiano Ronaldo and company.
Manchester United: With Harry Maguire already sidelined with a calf problem watching Raphael Varane limp out of France’s UEFA Nations League final win over Spain was a hammer blow for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is expected to be without both players for the trip to the East Midlands. Understudies Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have rarely played together and when they have the Red Devils have averaged 1.33 points per game in Champions League and Premier League games.
United have been notably circumspect in putting a specific timescale on the recovery of either first choice center back though Maguire is hopeful of a swift return. “It’s getting there,” the 28 year old said. “I still haven’t trained yet with the squad, but I am getting better, I am progressing as I should be.”
Prediction
A weakened Manchester United backline is unlikely to keep a clean sheet though Leicester’s own difficulties at the back mean this promises to be a game with plenty of goals. PICK: Leicester 2, Manchester United 2
