Manchester United vs Leicester City: Preview and betting tips - Premier League

AFP

Good people of the world wherever you are, welcome to the very first edition of premier league predictions for this season, things hardly stay the same, punches in the air today, in celebration of victory, heads buried in shame another day in the disappointments of defeat, while some can be excused for losing, hell will leak for others.

This is the English Premier League, where Manchester City will look to restore the pride of champions, United must prove they aren’t a spent force having been unable to reproduce the heroics of Sir Alex Ferguson since he left as a champion in 2013.

Liverpool will look to shine to a successful end and Arsenal, under a new manager now must win something, beyond the quest for stability.

Day one is upon us and it’s the only time when teams start at the same level, some will surge, to fall and rise again, while some will actually begin their journey to the championship right from here, this is for the brave, for the decisive and for the strong, fasten your seatbelts as we head into yet another season of exhilarating football, like never before.

Manchester United vs Leicester City
Old Trafford
8:00pm Friday, August 10
Referee: Andre Marriner

The moment is here, the huge take off of the 2018/19 Premier League season like it happened last season when Arsenal played host to Leicester in what ended as a seven-goal thriller, Leicester are at it again, heading to the den of the devils to fight out points on day one.

Jose Mourinho has moaned and groaned about the lack of activities in the window that only produced Fred and Diogo Dalot, however, there won’t be tenable excuses should he fail to deliver silverware at the end of the season.

Claude Puel successfully held on to Harry Maguire despite their host on opening day repeatedly making offers for the England center back, although a few names including Jamie Vardy won’t be fresh for this game, he can rest assured that he has Maguire to work with.

No Riyad Mahrez anymore, it’s time for them to move on from the winger’s chapter, a good start is paramount on opening day for any side.

Manchester United will not have so many men back for this fixture, Paul Pogba was touted to be heading to Barcelona so he won’t play, Nemanja Matic is injured, Lingard just returned from break, United must start well here.

Getty images

Team news

Brazil midfielder Fred is expected to make his Manchester United debut on Friday as several players are missing for the Old Trafford side

Jose Mourinho has said he will monitor the fitness of players who arrived late due to their appearance at the World Cup but Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo, Diogo Dalot, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic are all injured.

Similarly, Leicester manager Claude Puel must decide whether to play England World Cup duo of Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire.

New signings Jonny Evans and James Maddison are available for selection after returning from injury.

Demarai Gray is also fit, while Ricardo Pereira and Rachid Ghezzal could be involved.

Player to watch: Alexis Sanchez

Verdict: United to win or draw