Foxes of Leicester
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Man United v Leicester: Preview as history beckons for Rodgers’ Foxes

By Elliot Mackness

Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City, Aaron Wan-Bissaka of Manchester United (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City, Aaron Wan-Bissaka of Manchester United (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City
Leicester City’s Northern Irish manager Brendan Rodgers (L) with Manchester United’s Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (C) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

The second half battle

Here is one interesting stat for both teams, courtesy of FootyStats. Both teams have scored over double the number of goals in the second half of matches. ‘Second half FC’.

Both teams seem to grind during the first half, and come alive with ecstatic play later on into the game. The reason for this is unclear, though the reason for the uptick in second halves is due to managerial motivation no doubt.

In terms of how well each team plays, United are sixth in terms of accumulated xG (expected goals) at home, second in terms of goals actually scored.

They construct 30.54 in xG, have scored 34 alongside quite a few penalties (not as much as some like to pretend). Further, they have conceded only 17.70 in xGA (expected goals against), actually conceding 21.

By comparison, Leicester City away have accumulated 27.73 in xG, with 31 goals scored. As well as this, they have conceded only 18.15 in xGA, with 17 goals actually conceded.

What this all means for the upcoming match is that this is the battle of two defensively well-drilled teams. The first half may well have very few goals if any present, with the two teams choosing to protect the clean sheet.

Manchester United concede more than they should – perhaps due to poor defending from midfield – where the Foxes concede less than they should, probably due to Kasper Schmeichel heroics.

Further, United score more than they should – primarily due to set pieces – where the Foxes also score more than they should, resulting from early season penalties and heroics from Kelechi Iheanacho.