Manchester United v Leicester: Hosts should triumph but Foxes can notch at Old Trafford

Manchester United v Leicester City
Saturday, 17:30
Live on BT Sport 1

United on a high after electric start

Six points, eight goals scored and zero conceded: as balance sheets go, Manchester United's after two games of the Premier League season is fairly unimpeachable. José Mourinho's side have been thoroughly impressive in the opening skirmishes of the campaign, sweeping both West Ham and Swansea aside with minimal fuss to justify their position among the favourites to take the 2017/18 title.

True, the opposition was hardly the most testing. But if Romelu Lukaku, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Nemanja Matić and Paul Pogba can keep up this form for a decent portion of the season, the Red Devils should have no trouble improving upon last term's sixth-placed finish. The Champions League will be a distraction, but this side clearly means business in his second season.

With an international break coming up after this game, rotation is unlikely. Anthony Martial may have an outside chance of breaking into the starting XI after scoring off the bench in each of United's games so far, but it should be more of the same from Mourinho.

Foxes buoyed by Brighton success

After running Arsenal close in a mind-bending season opener, Leicester got down to brass tacks against Brighton last weekend, taking the lead early on and administering the result with aplomb. It was not a game that will live long in the memory, but you sense Craig Shakespeare won't mind that too much; the three points put the Foxes into the top half of the table.

Two individual displays stood out at the King Power Stadium. The first was that of Harry Maguire, who followed up an assist at the Emirates with his first goal for his new club. His England call-up on Thursday was well deserved. Then there was the heartening sight of Riyad Mahrez in full flow: the Egyptian played a part in both goals and is clearly set on contributing even with his future uncertain.

Shakespeare rotated his side for the League Cup game against Sheffield United on Tuesday, with only Christian Fuchs, Maguire and Wilfried Ndidi keeping their places. The rest of the first-teamers should return on Saturday, with Jamie Vardyexpected to be fit to start despite a late knock against Brighton.

No great value in backing the hosts

United have lost just two of their 22 Premier League meetings with Leicester City and only one of these came at Old Trafford, way back in 1998. Given their start to the campaign, it's no shock that they are strong favourites to win on Saturday evening. We won't be lumping on at skinny odds of 1.35, however.

Some, taking United's two results so far into account, will doubtless be tempted to back the Red Devils on the Asian Handicap: Man United -1.5 is [2.01]. But Leicester will be a tougher nut to crack than West Ham or Swansea.

Leicester can test United defence

Since Shakespeare took the reigns, Leicester games have provided action at both ends of the pitch. They've scored in all but one of their 15 Premier League matches under the 53-year-old, with those games producing a whopping 53 goals in total(29 scored, 24 conceded).

United's potency is clear, and while the backline has looked solid so far, Vardy and co will give them a proper examination at Old Trafford. The overs holds some appeal at 1.69, but a better bet is both teams to score at 2.08. That selection would have been profitable in the last three meetings between the sides at Old Trafford and five of their last six competitive games.

Bearing that in mind, those who fancy a United should also consider backing them to win with both teams scoring at 15/8 on the Sportsbook.

Lukaku the main man for United

Pogba looks a tempting option in the goalscorer market at 23/10, having notched late on in both United games thus far. Vardy could also be value at 3.60 for the visitors.

But it's hard to look past Lukaku, who has made a flying start to his United career. In truth, he didn't do a great deal against Swansea a week ago, yet he still found the net and there is every chance he will do so again this weekend at 1.90.

Recommended Bets
Back Man United to win and both teams to score at 15/8