Manchester United continue their FA Cup defence when they face Leicester City at Old Trafford in the fourth round on Friday night.
The Red Devils survived a Diogo Dalot red card to win 5-3 on penalties against Arsenal in a thrilling third round tie at the Emirates last month.
However, Ruben Amorim’s side have blown more cold than hot since then, lurching from one crisis to another.
The most recent episode of United's seemingly never-ending turmoil saw them tumble to a 2-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, on an afternoon where I delivered a 3/1 winner.
As for Leicester, their relegation fears have heightened following a 4-0 loss away at Everton last weekend, in another game that brought up one of my recommended bets.
That bruising setback saw the Foxes slide back into the drop zone, where they are two points adrift of safety.
How the bookies view it: Man United to march on
Manchester United are short-priced 3/10 favourites on Boylesports to get the job done inside regulation time on Friday night.
Leicester are as big as 13/2 on Boylesports to triumph without the need for extra-time or penalties, while the 90 minute draw is also deemed unlikely at 4/1 with the same firm.
Head to head: Red Devils seeking repeat
Manchester United have already toppled Leicester twice at Old Trafford this season in both the Premier League and the EFL Cup. Somewhat ironically, it was current Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy who oversaw each of those two victories during his brief stint as United interim manager earlier in the campaign.
Players to watch: Fernandes a thorn in Foxes' side
Bruno Fernandes struck three times across Man United's previous two home games with Leicester earlier this season. The Red Devils skipper is 5/4 on Boylesports to fire against the Foxes again on Friday night.
Boubakary Soumare has been booked eight times across his 17 Premier League appearances for Leicester this season. The Foxes midfielder is 11/4 on Bet 365 to have his name taken again at Old Trafford.
Predicted line-ups
Manchester United suffered a major injury blow after key defender Lisandro Martinez was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. The Argentine will join the likes of Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount in the Red Devils medical room.
With the FA Cup unlikely to be sitting high on Leicester’s priority list, Foxes boss van Nistelrooy may choose to rotate his resources at Old Trafford on Friday night.
Manchester United: Bayindir; Mazraoui, Maguire, De Ligt; Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dorgu; Amad, Hojlund, Fernandes
Leicester: Stolarczyk; Coulibaly, Coady, Okoli, Kristiansen; Soumare, Skipp; Buonanotte, El Khannouss, Mavididi; Daka
Anything else catch the eye?
While Manchester United are a difficult side to trust, I’m prepared to side with them here in a game that features under 4.5 goals.
This combination would have been the correct one in each of the Red Devils’ eight Premier League victories this season, one of which was at home to Leicester.
The same selection would have also clicked in 13 of the Foxes’ 15 top-flight losses this season, including each of their last eight.
This FA Cup match between Manchester United and Leicester City will be played on Feb 7, 2025 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester United vs Leicester City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
