With some key attacking players missing on both sides, Al Hain-Cole expects a low-scoring Premier League opener between the Foxes and Mourinho’s men
The Premier League season will get underway at Old Trafford on Friday night as Manchester United take on Leicester City.
Jose Mourinho has endured a frustrating summer, bemoaning a lack of transfer activity and unavailability of key players due to the World Cup.
Latest Odds
Nevertheless, his side are clear 1/2 (1.50) favourites with Fortebet to put that behind them by kicking off the new campaign with a victory in front of their own fans.
The Foxes have lost seven and won none of their last nine visits to this ground, but can be backed at 7/1 (8.00) to put that run to an end with a first victory here since 1998.
These sides shared a 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium in their most recent encounter, and you can get odds of 16/5 (4.20) on them cancelling each other out once again in this one.
Team News
Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba, Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard and Phil Jones are unlikely to start after returning late to training due to the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Nemanja Matic, Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo and new signing Diogo Dalot are all ruled out through injury.
Similarly, England internationals Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire are not ready to start for the guests, with Jonny Evans and James Maddison facing late fitness tests ahead of a potential debut.
Weakened attacks
While Mourinho has been characteristically vocal over his understrength squad heading into this opener, opposite number Claude Puel will also be forced to start the campaign with a team that looks considerably weakened compared to last season.
With Vardy unfit to start and Riyad Mahrez now a Manchester City player, the visiting attack is unlikely to pose too much of a threat to a defence that can still call upon David De Gea, Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly.
Predictions
Considering the potential absence of a whole host of United players, odds of 17/20 (1.85) seem like solid value on under 2.5 goals being scored as both teams endure a slow start to the season.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
