The second fixture in the first round of 2021/22 English Premier League season takes place on Saturday and we have a meeting between Manchester United and Leeds United.
The match will be played at Old Trafford in-front of a packed crowd and both teams will be coming into the game confident of having a good season.
🔴 @HarryMaguire93 🔴 @AWBissaka 🔴 @Daniel_James_97 Three United debuts #OnThisDay in 2019! 🙌#MUFC pic.twitter.com/JarvtlVqff— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 11, 2021
🔴 @HarryMaguire93 🔴 @AWBissaka 🔴 @Daniel_James_97 Three United debuts #OnThisDay in 2019! 🙌#MUFC pic.twitter.com/JarvtlVqff
Manchester United finished second in the Premier League last season and will be hoping to go one better in this campaign. They finished their preseason with a good 4-0 home win over Everton, thanks to goals from Mason Greenwood, Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, and Diogo Dalot.
The Red Devils struggled at home in the Premier League towards the end of last season and have failed to win in their last 3 attempts at Old Trafford. Manchester United were defeated by Leicester City and Liverpool plus were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham in their final home league game of the season.
However, trends show Manchester United are unbeaten in 29 of their 32 most recent Premier League matches. They have scored at least one goal in their last 13 home league games but have also conceded at least one goal in each of their last 5 Premier League matches at Old Trafford. The defensive record is something Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will want to improve this season.
Leeds United finished ninth in the Premier League last season following their promotion from the Championship. It was an excellent campaign and gives them something to build upon going into this season as the club aim to make a return to European football.
However, preseason results have been disappointing and Leeds United have failed to win any of their last 5 friendly matches. There have been defeats against Fleetwood Town, Real Betis, and Ajax, the last of which was a heavy 4-0 loss. Their final friendly ended in a 1-1 draw against Villarreal.
Leeds United finished last season strongly and have won each of their last 4 Premier League games. Two of those victories came away from home against Burnley and Southampton and trends show Leeds United are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 league matches.
Leeds United have won 4 of their last 5 away league games and have scored 2 or more goals in each of those 4 wins.
Team news and Manchester United will be without new central defender Raphael Varane who is yet to arrive at the club. New signing Jadon Sancho may have to settle for a place on the bench. Edinson Cavani is resting following the Copa America and Marcus Rashford is injured.
Junior Firpo is set to make his league debut for Leeds United at full-back, with Stuart Dallas playing in central midfield. Kalvin Phillips has returned to the club late following his involvement with England in the European Championship and he may not start this match.
This fixture produced 8 goals last season and although we expect to see both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals, it is unlikely we will have a repeat of that result. However, Manchester United should come out on top and take maximum points.