Manchester United will play host to Leeds United in the English Premier League. This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. Manchester United comfortably sit in third position with the aim of finishing in the top three this season. Leeds United, on the other hand, are struggling and just above the relegation zone. They sacked their manager, Jesse Marsch, after a disappointing series of results.
The Red Devils have won 13, drawn three, and lost five matches played this season. They have scored 34 goals and conceded 26 in return. The team has an average xG rate of 1.44, and the average xGA rate is also the same. At home, Erik ten Hag’s men have won eight, drawn one, and lost one match. They have scored 19 goals and only conceded six at home. The team is on a six-match winning streak at home; becoming a team that many are now enjoying the possibility of utilising matched betting tactics once they have learned everything they need to know.
Leeds United, on the other hand, have won four, drawn six, and lost ten matches this season. They have scored 26 goals at an average xG rate of 1.34. The defence has conceded 34 goals and averages 1.41 xGA per match. They are winless in their last seven matches, and that cost Jesse Marsch his job as Leeds United manager.
We now look at some of the stats that could predict the outcome of the match.
Manchester United under Ten Hag
Manchester United are getting their groove back and sits third in the league table. One of the primary reasons behind this is their home form. The above viz shows the percentile rank of the team in comparison to other teams in the English Premier League. It can be observed that the team is not a high-pressing side. They are also decent with ball possession of the ball. The areas where the team has a high percentile rank are in delivering key passes and taking shots per 90 minutes.
One of the reasons behind Manchester United’s success this season is their efficiency in attack. The Red Devils have the highest efficiency in positional attacks. They create 27.19 attacks per match and attempt shots from 30.3% of these attacks. As for the counterattacks, the team creates 2.57 per match and attempts shots from 50.2% of these attacks. Overall, the team has an average of 13 shots with an accuracy rate of 38.8%. They will look to stay at the top of their game and convert more chances to improve their goal difference.
Leeds United under Marsch
Leeds United collected 18 points in 20 English Premier League matches under Marsch this season. His team struggled to take points, and that resulted in his sacking. By looking at the above viz it can be observed that the team is ranked below average in most of the stats mentioned above. The only areas where the team performed well under Marsch were the entries into the final third per 90 minutes and the recoveries per 90 minutes. Other than this, Leeds United lacked a lot in delivering the passes. They had a very poor accuracy rate. Overall, the team struggled in most areas.
Key Players
Marcus Rashford has been at the top of his game since returning from the World Cup. The Englishman has featured in all seven matches and has six goals to his name. He averages more than three shots per match and has an accuracy rate of 56.5%. The striker has scored five goals from inside the penalty box and one from outside the box. Leeds United’s defenders are likely to have a hard time against the in-form player.
Team news
Casemiro will miss the game after getting a red card against Crystal Palace. Erik ten Hag is also short on midfield options. Marcel Sabitzer can earn his first start for his new club.
Robin Koch will return after serving his ban. Crysencio Summerville is also back in contention for this match. Weston McKennie can also feature from the start of this match.
Betting Analysis
Manchester United are the favourites to win this match. The 1×2 odds show that the Red Devils have an odds rate of around 1.48 to win this match. They are unbeaten in their last nine matches at home. Leeds United are without a manager for this game. Their odds rate is over six. As for the over/under lines, the odds for over 2.5 goals stand at 1.66. Last season, six goals were scored in both matches between the two teams. So there are chances that the match could experience three or more goals.
Manchester United go in as the favourites to take three points from this fixture. The Red Devils have been dominant at home and are going against a struggling Leeds United side. A win in this match will put them joint second in the league table. Erik ten Hag will hope that his team remains at the top of its game.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine