Preview
Manchester United aims to extend their 14-game winning streak at Old Trafford when they take on Leeds Utd in a Premier League match at Old Trafford on Wednesday. This is the first of two meetings between the two teams in a week. Despite being down to 10 players, Erik ten Hag’s team beat Crystal Palace 2-1, while Leeds suffered a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, causing concern about their chances of avoiding relegation.
This is a match of significant importance for both sides as a win for the hosts will see them draw level on points with Manchester City in second before their next match, while Leeds could open some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone.
There is plenty of history between these two clubs and their encounters last season did not disappoint with Manchester United running out 5-1 winners at home and 4-2 winners on the road. And a United win could again be the way to go when they meet for the first time this season.
Erik ten Hag’s men have looked sharp since returning from the World Cup break and are only three points behind Manchester City in the Premier League after the weekend’s results.
Form Guide: Manchester United
Erik ten Haag is doing a great job since taking over the helm of the club from “Old Trafford”. The Dutchman took with him, when he left Ajax, the champion “Pelzer” and already in the first season he transferred it to his new club, Manchester United. The Red Devils shine again, they look like that team from Ferguson’s time and what makes the fans happy the most is that their “pet” has become competitive again in the fight for trophies on all fronts after a long time.
They are currently third in the Premier League with 42 points on their account, eight less than the current leader, Arsenal, who have a game less. Being forced to navigate the final 20 minutes of their clash with Crystal Palace with 10 men was not what the doctor ordered for Man United, especially when the player sent for an early bath was one-man midfield screen Casemiro after he inexcusably grabbed Will Hughes around the neck with two hands.
However, the Red Devils had already put themselves two goals to the good by that point through Bruno Fernandes’s penalty and Marcus Rashford’s 10th Premier League goal of the season, and the hosts held on despite Jeffrey Schlupp’s looping consolation.
Casemiro is suspended following his red card in the win over Crystal Palace, which is a huge blow for United. Anthony Martial has also suffered a setback in his ongoing battle for fitness.
Form Guide: Leeds United
Fiery past contests between Man United and Leeds from years gone by have been firmly consigned to history for those in white, whose brief three-game unbeaten run in all tournaments came to a bitter end against Forest last time out.
The in-form Brennan Johnson struck a sublime 14th-minute volley to settle the match, and despite their best efforts, Leeds could not find a way through inspired Forest debutant Keylor Navas, further extending their miserable winless run in the Premier League.
The big question is whether firing Marsch will give Leeds the jump the hierarchy is looking for, or if it has come simply too close to Wednesday’s game to change anything for the better. Their only victories in recent months have been against lower-league opposition in the FA Cup, with no Premier League wins since before the World Cup break commenced in mid-November.
How the game could go
United will be without their key man in midfield though, with Casemiro suspended for three games after receiving a red card against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Leeds are facing a tough spell with multiple injuries and without a win in seven successive games and have just fired Jesse Marsch, requiring a quick turnaround to get things sorted for their midweek game. Manchester United is unbeaten in 14 matches at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag’s team are favorites to win the match against Leeds United.
We generally do not expect much from Leeds right now but the team is going through a massive managerial change and there could be a short-term improvement. In each case, we expect 2-3 goals from United without a problem in this game and they could easily cover this line by themselves.
Betting Predictions
Manchester United to win
That victory against Palace was United’s 13th straight win at Old Trafford in all competitions and it would be a bold move to oppose them against Leeds. Manchester United has been winning game after game at home this season. After a weird start and a defeat, they are now on a 13-game winning streak at Old Trafford and there is no way that it will not continue against Leeds. Bet9ja have 1.48, 1xbet have 1.52 and Paripesa have 1.52 odds.
Over 2.5 goals
Manchester Utd has won five of their last six games against Leeds, including 4-2 and 5-1 wins in the Premier League last season. Over 2.5 goals have been scored in five of the pair’s last six head-to-heads so you can see why we’re predicting goals on Wednesday night. Manchester Utd has won each of their last four matches in the league and cup and over 2.5 goals have been scored in four of their last five outings. Four of Leeds’ last six fixtures have produced at least three goals and two of their last three away games in all competitions have ended in defeat. Bet9ja have 1.58 odds, Paripesa have 1.66, and 1xbet have 1.66 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (Manchester United)
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford has been in superb form since returning from the World Cup and has been Manchester United’s stand-out player this season. England forward has scored 10 goals in the Premier League alone, twice as many as his nearest teammate Fernandes, and he has also chipped in with 9 goals in cup competitions for his club, so you can see why we’re backing Rashford to score against Leeds on Wednesday night. Bet9ja have 2.30 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.05.
Bruno Fernandes
Marcus Rashford has been instrumental in these weeks as has Bruno Fernandes with the pair scoring and creating plenty of goals on this side of the World Cup. The pair both scored in their latest victory. We can say that both players do complement each other on the field and we can see them both on the score sheet given the defense of Leeds. Bet9ja have 3.35 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.75.
Anytime Goalscorer (Leeds United)
Crysencio Summerville
The 22-year-old will be a new name today but he was on a roll for four consecutive games scoring a goal just before his injury. With the absence of high-scoring Rodrigo in this Leeds squad, he is the man to call if they need any goals today. Bet9ja have 6.00 odds for him to score while Paripesa has 6.00 odds.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
