Manchester United vs. Leeds United 8/14/21 Premier League Soccer Pick, Odds, and Predictions

Manchester United and Leeds United face off on Saturday in their first English Premier League game of the season at Old Trafford. Last season Manchester United won the first game 6-2 but in the second game, they tied 0-0. 

Manchester United has high hopes coming into the season after finishing last season in second place behind Manchester City. Manchester United has been busy this offseason bringing in the likes of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane. Manchester United has an easier start to the season on paper and they need to pick up three points in all of these games. Manchester United’s game was a friendly against Everton, a game they won 4-0. Bruno Fernandes and Harry McGuire were two of the goal scorers in the last game. The big problem for Manchester United heading into this game is they will be missing some key players. Marcus Rashford and  Alex Telle are dealing with injuries and Jesse Lingard is dealing with COVID. Players like Dean Henderson and Amad Diallo have their status up in the air for this game. 

On the other side of this matchup is Leeds United who finished last season in ninth place in the standings, and they were competitive in their return to the Premier League. There are mixed reviews about where this team will finish this year, but there is a lot of pressure inside the club to finish higher than 9th. Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane were the big signings for Leeds United this season. Leeds United is expected to have mostly a healthy squad for this game, and that is something that could help them with Manchester United so banged up. 

Manchester United is the better team when healthy, but they are really banged up heading into this match. Leeds United is going to get a goal early in this game and drop into a defensive shape. Back Leeds United to pull off the big upset.