The Foxes can wrap up the Premier League title with a win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
One more. That’s it.
Leicester are on the brink of achieving the impossible, with three points at Old Trafford all that is necessary to clinch the English Premier League title with two games remaining. Ironically, the opportunity arises at the Theatre of Dreams, the home of the league’s most successful club boasting a squad worth £300+ – a sum 10 times the financial worth of the Foxes’ squad – when it was assembled, that is.
Just another sub-plot is that Kasper Schmeichel, Leicester goalkeeper and son of United legend Peter, has the chance to win a miracle Premier League crown at his father’s old stomping ground. His is another in a team full of incredible stories. Success in Manchester’s red half would be a fitting way for Claudio Ranieri’s side to complete their phenomenal campaign.
But while all the focus will be on the miracle Foxes in this intriguing clash, hosts United still have plenty to play for themselves. With one game in hand on fourth-placed Arsenal, the Red Devils can still secure a last-gasp UEFA Champions League berth at the expense of their London rivals, but realistically must win for this to be a possibility. The gap currently sits at five points.
POPULAR ARTICLES
European football the aim as Manchester City travel to St Mary’s
Tottenham’s title aspirations are diminishing
EPL – Match Preview – Everton vs AFC Bournemouth
EPL – Match Preview – Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace
Defeat could also leave United vulnerable to slipping out of even the Europa League placings before the season’s conclusion, with Liverpool and Southampton still breathing down their necks on 55 and 54 points respectively.
Key Battle – Riyad Mahrez vs Marcos Rojo
Even though the Argentine left-back is likely to line up directly on the Players’ Player of the Year, the responsibility of keeping Mahrez in check will extend well beyond Rojo’s reaches.
Taking his place on the right side of midfield, Mahrez will look to cut inside where possible, so United’s central-defensive pairing as well as midfield screen Morgan Schneiderlin will need to be on their toes.
Mahrez is the chief creative force that drives the Foxes. If he can get off the leash, Leo Ulloa and Shinji Okazaki will be the beneficiary, and could well mean Leicester secure glory.
Team News
Louis van Gaal can enjoy the luxury of maintaining the same squad that defeated Everton 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend. Whether he will actually select a replica XI is unlikely, however, particularly with Juan Mata and Schneiderlin both selected on the bench at Wembley. They could well come back into the team as well as Italian full-back Matteo Darmian.
Leicester’s goalscoring hero Jamie Vardy is still missing, so Ulloa and Okazaki will start as the forward pairing again. Fans can be more comfortable with the record-breaker’s absence on this occasion after Ulloa netted twice against Swansea City in an emphatic 4-0 win.
Head-To-Head
In 83 meetings, this fixtures has been dominated by United. They have claimed 40 wins against Leicester versus the Foxes’ 22, with 21 draws scattered among them.
Previous Meeting
These sides met earlier on in the season at the King Power Stadium, fighting out a 1-1 draw. Leicester opened the scoring through Vardy, who on that occasion, broke Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record for scoring in consecutive games. Bastian Schweinsteiger ensured United would take home a point.
Prediction
Will the Foxes crack under pressure on their biggest of days?
That same question has been posed many a time this season but we have yet to see the Foxes flinch. This will be their toughest test of all away against a staunch Manchester United, and even with Vardy missing, Leicester still have what it takes to prevail. Ulloa has found the net three times in two matches, N’Golo Kante is still stomping on every blade of grass on pitches across the country and Robert Huth and Wes Morgan are as sturdy as ever, backed by the safe hands of Schmeichel.
This tussle promises to be tight, tense and nervous, but Ranieri will emphasise the importance of cool heads. Leicester have shown time and time again they can win ugly, and that is what may be required on this occasion. After all, it will be a result that wins them the league title, no matter how it is achieved. Expect a scrappy affair with a fairytale finish.
Manchester United 0 Leicester City 1
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
