The collapse of Leicester City has led them to fall all the way out of third to fifth in the English Premier League standings, as a team that once looked certain to qualify for a UEFA Champions League slot for 2020-21 now sits a point behind both Chelsea and Manchester United, headed to the Europa League instead. However, they have one more match, a chance to vault up past the Red Devils and take their Champions League slot back. Since the EPL resumed play, Leicester City’s offense has been moribund, while Manchester United has come on strong. Should Leicester City lose and Wolverhampton wins, Leicester City could miss out on the Europa League as well — so the Foxes have a lot on the line. Check out our sports betting EPL odds on Sunday’s Premier League showdown.
English Premier League: Leicester City vs Manchester United (July 26)
- When: Sunday, July 26, 2020, 11:00 am ET
- Where: King Power Stadium, Leicester City
- TV: NBC
- Live Stream: NBCSports.com / fuboTV
- Soccer Odds: Manchester United +123 / Draw +237 / Leicester City +208
Why should you bet on Manchester United?
Manchester United looked tired on Wednesday as they faced West Ham United at home and settled for a 1-1 draw. Michail Antonio scored for West Ham in injury time at the end of the first half, converting a penalty. The Red Devils drew level in the 51st minute, thanks to a tally from Mason Greenwood, but they could not do more against a team well down the table. A question that Manchester United will have to answer before Sunday is whether they will have the fresh legs they will need against a Leicester City team that should be in desperation mode.
The Red Devils possessed for 56 percent of the match and outshot West Ham, 12-10 (5-3 on target). There was not much physicality in the match as the teams combined for just 19 fouls, but Manchester United drew three of the match’s four yellow cards. The teams only combined for five corners, as offensive pressure really was not much of a factor. Manchester United cannot sit back on Sunday, as Leicester City should be bringing the match to them.
Why should you put your money on Leicester City?
Leicester City last played on Sunday (giving them a full week off before taking on the Red Devils). In that game, they visited Tottenham and were dealt a 3-0 hide-tanning. It only took six minutes for the Spurs to force an own goal. Before the end of the first half, Harry Kane completed a brace in just three minutes, scoring in the 37th and 40th minutes. After that, Tottenham simply put on the defense, and the Foxes did not offer much in terms of meaningful opposition.
Leicester City possessed for 70 percent of the match and outshot Tottenham, 18-6, but only had six shots on frame (to four for Tottenham). Leicester City also forced 13 corners, so they were applying some pressure, particularly in the second half, but they just could not finish. This has been a problem for them since the COVID-19 hiatus came to an end. The teams played a reasonably physical game, combining for 25 fouls and three yellow cards (two to Tottenham), but Leicester City’s disappearing offense remains one of the great mysteries of this English Premier League season.
Final Score Prediction
This is one of the harder games to pick (as the close odds indicate). Leicester City does not really benefit much from a draw, especially if Chelsea wins against Wolverhampton (and those matches will take place at the same time, so neither team will know what has happened to the other ahead of time), so they need to bring the energy from the beginning. Can they break through after so much offensive frustration? I’m not sure I see it. I see them grabbing a goal but then giving up a goal on a blunder and settling in. Final score: Manchester United 1, Leicester City 1.
