Introduction
Leicester City host Manchester United in what promises to be an absolute cracker of an FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday at the King Power stadium. Both the teams standing third & second respectively in the league table, will battle it out for the semi final spot. Both the teams go into this fixture expecting a tough game. Having previously met each other on the Boxing Day in the Premier League, the teams shared a point. This game has bigger stakes, as both the teams would want to put their feet in the final.
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Why Should You Be Watching?
The teams will face each other before the International break. Leicester after crashing out of the Europa League, will look to salvage something out of this knockout fixture. Their form has been decent with one loss (against Arsenal) and one draw (against Burnley) in the last six matches. Manchester United on the other hand haven’t lost an away game domestically this season however, in their last 6 six away games they have won only two and have drawn four.
Build Up
Leicester City
Leicester City enter this fixture with a high morale, as they have beaten Sheffield United (5-0) just last Sunday, with Kalechi Iheanacho scoring a hattrick. As Leicester City have crashed out of Europa League, they would get few extra days to prepare for this fixture. If they progress into the semi-finals with a victory, it would take the Foxes into their first Wembley appearance since the 2016 Community Shield. That is the club’s only appearance at the new Wembley despite their success of late.
Leicester Form: WWDLW
Manchester United
Manchester United themselves must be high on confidence, after cruising through AC Milan in the Europa League (mid-week) and having beaten the league leaders (Manchester City) & West Ham United this month. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team have only lost two games since the turn of the year, having already played 22 games in all competitions in that period. A win would mean another semi final appearance for the Red Devils.
Manchester United Form: WWDDW
Team News and Lineups
Leicester City
Brendan Rodgers will be without three of his main men in Harvey Barnes, James Maddison and James Justin. Wes Morgan is sidelined through injury as well. Dennis Praet could make a return to the squad after being out for two months with a hamstring injury. Rest of the squad looks good and Brendan Rodgers will look to rotate his squad for this crucial fixture. He will however have Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy in the ranks that may cause plenty of troubles to Man United’s backline.
Injuries: Harvey Barnes, James Maddison, James Justin, Wes Morgan
Doubtful: Dennis Praet
Predicted Line Up
Formation – 4-4-2
Gk- Kasper Schmeichel
Defense- Timothy Castagne, Wesley Fofana, Caglar Soyuncu, Ricardo Pereira
Midfield – Marc Albrighton, Wilfred Ndidi, Youri Tielemans, Ayoze Perez
Attack- Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho
Manchester United
Manchester United received a major boost Paul Pogba & Donny Van de Beek returned from the sidelines. The Frenchman who played a pivotal part in the midweek fixture against AC Milan also scored the winner. He might not be able to play complete 90 minutes but is expected to start. Edinson Cavani also had to withdraw last minute on Thursday as he suffered a reaction in training. Cavani & Martial both are in doubts to make it to the match day squad. Marcus Rashford also felt a niggle against AC Milan and was withdrawn at the half time at San Siro. Juan Mata & Phil Jones are still sidelined.
Injuries: Juan Mata and Phil Jones
Doubtful: Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Eric Bailly
Predicted Line Up
Formation – 4-2-3-1
Gk- Dean Henderson
Defense- Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw
CDM- Fred, Scott McTominay
Attack- Daniel James, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba
Forward- Mason Greenwood
Players to Watch Out for
Leicester City
Kalechi Iheanacho
After scoring a hattrick and some vital goals this season, Iheanacho must be raring to go. With the kind of pace he possesses he would give a headache to United’s defence.
Jamie Vardy
Although not in such a great form this season, Jamie Vardy knows how to score in all important matches. He has often been a go to man for Leicester City. With number of important players out due to injury Brendan Rodgers must be heavily relying on him to make an impact.
Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Schmeichel is one of the most reliable shot stopper’s between the sticks. He has often bailed Leicester City out with his crucial saves. The captain would be leading from the front and Brendan Rodgers would expect another world class performance, from his captain.
Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes
Considered as Talisman this season, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer would be heavily banking on Bruno Fernandes to be the main man to wreck havoc on the opposition.
Paul Pogba
After scoring a winner in the midweek fixture against AC Milan, Paul Pogba must be raring to go in this fixture. After having sat out for quite sometime, Pogba must be itching to get back to his absolute best for the remainder of the season.
Dean Henderson
Dean Henderson has done a good job in the absence of David De Gea. He has helped team keep four clean sheets in the last five fixtures. The shot stopper has also shown maturity as well as a good command between the sticks.
Conclusion
Leicester City (having a home advantage) would be eager stomp an authority over Manchester United, as they look to reach the semi finals of the FA CUP. Manchester United on the other hand would look to go all the way this year and get their hands on some silverware. The fixture looks and exciting as well as a tense clash between the two clubs and a perfect concluding fixture for the weekend.
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