Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Daniel Murphy

Pundits make their Leicester City vs Manchester United predictions

It has all come down to the final day of the season, as Manchester United face Leicester City to decide who will clinch a place in the Champions League.

The two sides have been going neck-and-neck in the race for a top four place with only a point separating them, as United hold the advantage they will quality for Europe's top competition if they avoid defeat at the King Power Stadium.

Should Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side lose then they will be relying on Wolves to do them a favour and defeat Chelsea to sneak into the top four, otherwise they will have to rely on winning the Europa League to earn their place.

It's all to play for in the crucial encounter and here's how pundits think the game will go...

Michael Owen, BetVictor

"Leicester have now won just two of their last eight games and, after such a poor run of form, only a win against Manchester United will guarantee them Champions League football next season. A draw may be enough but that would require a Chelsea defeat at home to Wolves.

"For Manchester United a draw or a win would be enough for them to secure a Champions League berth. A defeat would see them relying on Wolves beating Chelsea or they would miss out on being involved in the biggest club football competition in world football.

"Despite United drawing two and losing one of their last four games in all competitions, I think they will have too much quality for a Leicester side who must be short of confidence, given their form since the restart.

"I’m going for a 3-1 win for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men in this crucial top of the table clash."

Prediction: Leicester 1-3 Manchester United.

Mark Lawrenson, BBC

"United don't need a win to make the top four but I think they will get one - they are definitely playing Leicester at the right time."

Predictions: Leicester 1-2 Manchester United.

Charlie Nicholas, Sky Sports

"If I'm being honest in the way the league's worked out, they're not my teams but I've got great respect for the way this head-to-head has worked out. I did Manchester United on Wednesday and thought they were awful. Even with the speed and movement up front, I thought Paul Pogba was poor, Bruno Fernandes had his worst game and looked like he was running on empty.

"Then I look at Leicester - and to be fair to them, they probably deserve the top four for what they've done this season - but of course, you don't do it in the early part of the season, you do it now. They do look stretched, really stretched.

"Everything is geared towards looking at Jamie Vardy, they're missing James Maddison. United have that cushion, so Leicester have to go for the win, which doesn't change a lot for Brendan Rodgers, but they'll want to keep it tight for the first half hour and then see how the land lies.

"Manchester United know how to get a result from a game like this, though. I think it'll be tense and dramatic, but I think they'll get there, they'll get a draw."

Prediction: Leicester 1-1 Manchester United.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.