Leicester City and Man United kick off the Boxing day fixtures in Premier League 2020-21. Both teams are separated by just one point in the points table, sitting second and third respectively.
Match Timings: Dec 26, 6 PM IST
Team Preview
Leicester City will host Man United at King Power Stadium to close its difference to league-leaders Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers’ men defeated Tottenham 2-0 on road to clinch the second spot. Jamie Vardy netted a fine goal in the stoppage time before the first-half break and later, Alderweireld doubled the lead through an own goal in the 59th minute. Foxes are looking lethal on the counter after beating Man City, and Spurs and they are the legitimate contenders for the top four spot this season. In Europa League 2020-21, they topped the group G and qualified for the round of 32. This month, they lost to Zorya and Everton and It pushed them to perform hard. They beat Athens and Brighton, followed by the win against Sheffield. Brendan Rodgers would expect Jamie Vardy to fully fit in the home-clash on Boxing Day. Caglar Soyuncu may not be available for this game. The Foxes lost four matches at home this season, while its Boxing-Day rivals are unbeaten in seven Premier League games and ten away-matches.
Manchester United are on the winning track but they have to keep its players fresh for the hectic Premier League schedule after Christmas. United fans are optimistic after finding Red Devils on third with one game in hand. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side moved on from the defeats against PSG and RB Leipzig in the Champions League. They settled for a goalless draw against rivals Manchester City and won three straight games against West Ham, Sheffield United, and Leeds. In the EFL Cup quarterfinal, Red Devils maintained its away-win record with a 2-0 victory over Everton. Edinson Cavani sealed the semifinal spot with an 88th-minute strike and Anthony Martial netted another one in injury time.
The Red Devils have won each of its last 10 Premier League away games and if they continue this run, they will become the third side in Premier League history after Chelsea and Man City to won 11 away matches in a row. Man United have lost just one of its previous 22 Premier League matches with Leicester and are unbeaten in its last 11. Foxes have lost five of its six games on Boxing Day in the top-flight since 2014, while, United have the most wins and highest win rate in the history of Premier League in Boxing Day games. The visitors will recall Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Scott McTominay who picked up groin injuries in the win against Leeds United.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Leicester City
Lineup: Schmeichel; Fofana, Evans, Fuchs; Albrighton, Ndidi, Tielemans, Justin; Barnes, Vardy, Maddison
Current form: L L W W W L W
Previous match (PL): 2-0 victory against Tottenham
Man United
Lineup: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
Current form:L W L D W W W
Previous match (PL): 6-2 victory against Leeds
Key Players
Leicester City
Jamie Vardy
12 goals in Premier League 2020-21
Harvey Barnes
3 goals in Premier League 2020-21
Man United
Bruno Fernandes
11goals in Premier League 2020-21
Edinson Cavani
3 goals in Premier League 2020-21
