Brendan Rodgers once oversaw a Liverpool team that were on the verge of winning the Premier League title. Just as the club neared the title, the manager watched his side capitulate and end the season empty handed.
The same thing is about to happen to Leicester City. Rodgers’ team were on the cusp of playing in two cup finals only to lose in the semifinals and quarterfinals, respectively. Now, Leicester City are about to lose out on Champions League football.
Manchester United usurped the Foxes in recent games and sit in the driver’s seat for Champions League qualification. The Red Devils are third in the league, one point better off than the Foxes.
Leicester City are chasing both Manchester United and Chelsea in the fight for the top four. Chelsea have a difficult game at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but they too are in the driver’s seat for qualification to the Champions League.
Manchester United may have dipped recently winning just one of their last four games in all competitions, but they know a draw will get them over the line. Manchester United claimed a 1-0 win against Leicester City earlier this season.
Marcus Rashford’s first-half penalty put down the Foxes. It has been a season in which Leicester City have struggled to win against the top five. They have not beaten any of the teams in the top five thus far and that trend is likely to continue on Sunday.
Making matters worse for Rodgers is the injuries. James Maddison finally underwent surgery to fix a groin muscle issue. He is out for the season. Full-backs Christian Fuchs, Ricardo Pereira, and Ben Chilwell are all out of action as well.
The lack of quality full-backs to stop teams in wide areas has been a massive problem since the restart for Rodgers. Centre-back Caglar Soyuncu is also out of the game thanks to a sending off.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a nearly full squad to select from for the game. His only issue is the fitness of full-back Luke Shaw. Still, the defender could overcome his ankle injury to play on Sunday.
Manchester United did have the chance to move further ahead of Leicester City in midweek. The pressure got to them and a 1-1 come from behind draw versus West Ham at home was the best they could do.
On Sunday, Manchester United play an out of form Leicester City. The Foxes have scored just eight times and conceded 10 in their last six games.
Expect Manchester United to play without pressure and to seal a final day of the season win to claim Champions League football. Over 2.5 goals will be scored as both teams find the back of the net.