Leicester City vs. Manchester United and Pick to Win
Date:Sunday, August 7, 2016
Where: Community Shield Wembley Stadium, London, UK
by Keith, Professional Soccer/Football Handicapper, Predictem
Match Odds: Manchester United 10/11, Draw 49/18, Leicester City 39/11
Moneyline: Manchester United -110, Draw +272, Leicester City +355
Over/Under Best Market: OVER 2.5 21/20 (+105)
Before the English Premier League kicks off, many of Englands best will battle for the coveted Community Shield. Manchester United enters with a lot of hype, they have recently secured the services of Paul Pogba who is due to come over to the UK anytime now. Additionally, the Red Devils have also acquired Zatlan Ibrahimovic to complement Wayne Rooney on the attack. Let us not forget, the Red Devils already have returning talent Ashley Young, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford to complement a very lethal arsenal. Oh and one more thing, Manchester United also have Jose Mourinho at the helm and with all these considerations made, Manchester United seems poised to be the Manchester United of old that many teams feared and audiences dazzled in.
Across from Manchester United, the defending English Premier League Champions, Leicester City. We can talk all day about what Leicester City achieved. A 5000/1 bet at the beginning of the 2015/16 campaign, the Foxes crushed many bookies accounts when they won the league in unprecedented fashion. Now Leicester enters as a pooch even if Vardy and Mahrez return to spearhead the same attack that led them to glory in the 2015/16 season. Many analysts, pundits and bettors a like think the Leicester City hi-jinx was a one-time deal, a once in a lifetime event that is doomed to repeat again. However, this football team should not be taken lightly by any means.
Leicester City has taken some lumps recently in Champions League play and the disappointing portfolio of performances reinforces suspicion from those scrutinizing the Foxes most. However, a defending champion is still a defending champion. Until teams start to beat Leicester in England, they are still the team to beat. Now, we have an opportunity to take back Leicester at an enhanced price and it all seems too good to be true. This is indeed the case, if books are willing to give away money on a team of Leicesters prominence and talent, there is usually a reason for this. Very simple, Leicester City may enter this season in a slump because the premier franchises have retooled, revamped their ranks and devised ways to knock off the Foxes. For Manchester United the onslaught against Leicester City begins with Community Shield and this could very well likely be the first signature win of the Jose Mourinho era.
As we have championed previously, taking back juice on favorites over a long term is proven to be a costly venture. However, Manchester United is offered at a traditional vig. With little risk and a fair chance at securing a decent reward, Manchester United certainly has an excellent chance of winning this contest outright. The price dictates the play here and this contest is far from the King Power Stadium where Leicester City reigned supreme last season. In the last meeting between these two teams, both teams fought to a 1-1 draw and this was at Old Trafford at the end of the 2015/16 campaign. Now, Manchester United will enter this contest rejuvenated with a new blueprint and strategy. Leicester will have to hold off this outfit with the competitive edge likely lying against them.
The contest will likely be a donnybrook. Expect the offense to be at the maximum in this affair. Leicester has been scoring goals in international competition and Manchester United is one solid performance away from lighting up the scoreboard. When you have players like Vardy, Rooney, Martial and Mahrez patrolling the pitch, there will likely be many scoring opportunities for both sides. Both Leicester City and Manchester United feature some excellent goalkeepers but they will likely see many shots on net in this affair. With this being said, it is not hard for three balls to find the back of the net in this afternoon, even if the contest ends in Manchester Uniteds favor.
Manchester United Recent Form
D Everton 0-0
W Galtassaray 5-2
W Wigan Athletic 2-0
W Crystal Palace 2-1
W Bournemouth 3-1
Leicester City Recent Form
L Barcelona 2-4
L PSG 0-4
D Celtic 1-1
D Chelsea 1-1
W Everton 3-1
Keith’s Prediction for the Game: Manchester United 10/11 (-110) and OVER 2.5 (+105)