Manchester United VS Leicester City Match Prediction

It will come as no surprise to fans of English football that Manchester United boast a convincing head-to-head lead against Leicester, with 60 wins to 33 and 29 draws.

This is because the Red Devils dominated the game in England, while Leicester’s ascent to stardom has only been very recent. So between 1999 and 2004, for instance, United won ten matches in a row. But between 2014 and 2016 the tables have turned slightly, with one win for either side and two draws.

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Manchester United vs Leicester: Prediction

Given Manchester United’s lack of preparation, you would assume that Leicester hold a lot of the aces in this match.

But Mourinho is an expert at playing mind games and removing pressure from his players, so don’t believe a word of it: the Red Devils will be up and ready for this game.

Despite Leicester’s achievements in recent times a Wembley visit is still something of a novelty for them, and it will be interesting to see how their players react to a big showpiece occasion. Also of concern will be their defending given that they have conceded eight goals in their last two outings, albeit against quality opposition in PSG and Barcelona.

Perhaps most pertinent is United’s outstanding record in Community Shield finals – they have won five of their last six attempts in this competition – and that could just well prove decisive. 

Manchester United vs Leicester Betting Tips

Five of the last seven Community Shield finals have witnessed over 2.5 goals, including 50% of the half dozen that United have appeared in. 

But this will be a rather more circumspect Manchester United side under Jose Mourinho, and he will look to block Leicester’s attacking outlets rather than focusing on his own. As such, backing under 2.5 goals here at 5/6 looks a smart investment.
 
Each of the last six Community Shield finals have been won inside 90 minutes without the need for extra time or penalties, and United’s recent history at Wembley dictates that they deserve favouritism over an outstanding Leicester side but one lacking big game experience in terms of one-off matches. 

So backing Manchester United to in normal time at 10/11 is the play here.

It was rather telling that Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho told a gathered press conference that his side ‘have had a really bad pre-season’.

He is the master of mind games of course, although the facts speak for themselves: United have played just three matches after the monsoon-disrupted tour of China. For some, however, it will sound like the Special One is making excuses for himself yet again.

The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovi?, Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial have been given time off after Euro 2016, and while they will play some part in this match it is perhaps only Rooney who will make Mourinho’s starting eleven.

Manchester United likely XI:

David de Gea (GK); Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw (DEF); Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera (MID); Henrik Mkhitaryan, Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard, Wayne Rooney (ATT).

One of the perks of winning the Premier League last season is that Leicester City can now offer all associated with the club a nice summer day out at Wembley Stadium.

Of course, they won’t be seeing it merely as a day out; they will be trying to win. And given the ferocity with which they attacked Barcelona in their last pre-season friendly, their tempo levels are ready for the big occasion. 

Leicester City likely XI:

Kasper Schmeichel (GK); Danny Simpson, Ben Chilwell, Robert Huth, Wes Morgan (DEF); Riyad Mahrez, Danny Drinkwater, Nampalys Mendy, Marc Albrighton (MID); Shinji Okazaki, Jamie Vardy (ATT).

We can all applaud Leicester City\'s ascension to one of the very best teams in England, but in losing N\'Golo Kante this summer it is almost like a car driving with three wheels. Manchester United, meanwhile, will be a slick Rolls Royce in comparison thanks to the signings of Zlatan Ibrahimovi? and the exceptional Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and this squad\'s greater showpiece match experience should ultimately prove telling in deciding the outcome of the trophy.

The key stat for this Community Shield match is, quite simply, Manchester United\'s astonishing record in the competition. They have five of their last six matches in the competition, and with such a strong heritage of winning one-off matches at Wembley Stadium they deserve bookmakers favoritism here.