Prediction and odds for the game: Manchester United (4/6) vs Leeds (15/4)
We are backing Patrick Bamford to be an anytime goalscorer at odds of 8/5
When: Sunday, 20th December 2020, Kick-off 16:30
Where: Old Trafford
On Sunday afternoon, Manchester United host bitter rivals Leeds United at Old Trafford, as the home side look for a victory to put themselves back in contention for Premier League title contention.
Manchester United
The Red Devils are suddenly threatening to mount a challenge for top spot despite talk of head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer losing his job just a few months ago. United head into this clash with one of their biggest rivals five points behind league leaders Liverpool, with a game in hand.
United’s recent top-flight form has been impressive of late, as the home side head into this clash unbeaten in six league games, having recorded five wins in the process. Solskjaer’s team have certainly rediscovered their goalscoring form of late in the top-flight, scoring at least three goals in four of those six unbeaten matches.
One negative for Manchester United is their recent league form at Old Trafford, where they have won just once in their last eight matches in the Premier League. Another startling stat about the Red Devils on home soil is that they have scored just once in their previous four league matches.
Leeds United
Marcelo Bielsa’s team has enjoyed a mixed campaign so far. However, a 5-2 win over Newcastle United last time out moved the team from Yorkshire up to 13th place in the table. The visitors are closer to the top-six in the Premier League table than they are the relegation zone.
The win over the Magpies ended a mini two-game losing run for the Leeds in the Premier League after the visitors suffered defeats against Chelsea and West Ham.
Bielsa’s team have certainly been involved in some high-scoring games of late, as six of their last eight top-flight matches have produced over 2.5 goals. One player who has is no stranger to goals this season is Whites star striker Patrick Bamford, who has scored nine times in his last 13 league appearances this season.
Leeds away record in the Premier League this season is the definition of inconsistent, as Bielsa’s team has won three and lost three of their six league matches on their travels since their return to the top-flight. The visitors have scored in all their six outings on the road in the Premier League.
Conclusion
This is an intriguing clash between two teams who have shown big defensive weaknesses of late. Leeds are a team that plays a very open style of football that clever attacking players can exploit. United have clever attacking players, but for some reason, they have not been performing on home soil. We can see this game being a high-scoring one though, which is why we are backing over 2.5 goals.
The other recommendation is Patrick Bamford to be an anytime goalscorer. The 27-year-old has been prolific this season for Leeds and we think he can exploit the weaknesses in the home sides defence.
Verdict: We are backing Patrick Bamford to be an anytime goalscorer at odds of 8/5 and/or over 2.5 goals scored (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Who will come out on top in the latest war of the roses?
