LEEDS host Man Utd on Super Sunday. Jack Wright (@JackWright_BSB ) is on-hand to preview the match-up.
Leeds vs Manchester United | Sunday 25th April 2021, 14:00 | Sky Sports
Manchester United will look forward to being able to finally get back to some on-field action as they bring their incredible unbeaten away record to Elland Road for one of those old school EPL fixtures which certainly whets the appetite ahead of the 2pm kick off.
Bringing a run of 23 away league games without defeat makes the Red Devils justifiable favourites against, let’s not forget a Leeds side back in the top flight for the first time after a 16-year absence, but they have often had to go about claiming all three points the hard way.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have won an incredible eight times after falling behind on the road this season, drawing once also and although I backed a turnaround win last time out at Spurs, for United to be trailing at half time and winning at the final whistle – I am following a similar theme here but with not quite such an aggressive play.
Having beaten Manchester City and recently drawn with Chelsea and Liverpool Marcelo Bielsa’s side should come in to this one in confident mood as they look to avenge that 6-2 drubbing at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture just before Christmas.
The Peacocks have been quick out of the blocks in recent games, opening the scoring in three of their last four games and with that tendency for Manchester United to start a little sluggish, I’m prepared to take the chance on an early Leeds goal sparking the visitors in to life, before eventually justifying their odds of a best priced 5/6 with another come from behind victory.
Odds of 15/2 with Bet Victor look a worthwhile play.
With the end of the season coming sharply in to view I will be trying to land you We Love Betting readers a tasty long shot before the curtain comes down on this never to be forgotten campaign.
One particular line of attack caught my attention in this clash and I am putting forward a couple of lines, one of which hit in that reverse fixture and the other an extension on it which would give us some nice Summer spending money.
That crazy game at Old Trafford had an incredible 43 shots with 26 for the home side and 17 from the courageous visitors, 18 of those were on target with the Red Devils amassing 14 of those – I would be surprised to see Bielsa going quite so gung-ho in this renewal – they did after all only have two (clinical) shots in the recent victory over the blue half of Manchester.
So instead of taking a team or match shots angle in here I am instead focusing on a player who had three attempts at goal back in December with one on target, as he had a late header from a corner well saved.
This player has won 129 aerial duals so far this season which is the fifth highest in the league and has had 27 headed shots in the EPL this campaign which is the second only to a player who should also be featuring here in Yorkshire, Patrick Bamford – but unlike Leeds’ top scorer our selection is a defender – Harry Maguire.
With Leeds conceding a league high 15 set piece goals it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Solskjaer target this area of weakness and put pressure on the at times vulnerable looking Illan Meslier in the home goal and the visitors' skipper must fancy his chances of adding to his goal tally.
The 28-year-old from Sheffield has planted 10 of his total 33 attempts at goal in the league on target scoring twice – with his strikes against Newcastle and his home town club both coming via his “renowned” head!
Given, as mentioned earlier, this landed in the reverse fixture the 4/1 on offer with Paddy Power under #WhatOddsPaddy – Shots On Target Specials for Harry Maguire to have 1 or more headed shots on target looks a cracking price – but for that longshot I can’t resist playing 2+ at a tasty looking 40/1.
Best Bets
Leeds vs Manchester United – Manchester United to win from behind (15/2 Bet Victor)
Leeds vs Manchester United – Harry Maguire to have 1 or more headed shots on target (4/1 Paddy Power)
Leeds vs Manchester United – Harry Maguire to have 2 or more headed shots on target (40/1 Paddy Power)
