The final matches of the 2019/2020 premier league season will go down as the closest in its history in terms of teams fighting for different goal.
Liverpool were crowned champions for the first time in 30 years and Manchester City have secured second spot. Two spots are left for the remaining UEFA Champions League places and the three teams’ poised to fight to the finish for it is Manchester United, Chelsea and Leicester City.
The three teams currently occupy the third, fourth and fifth spots respectively and Sunday will see fireworks from the different venues across England in the 4:00pm kick-off.
Leicester City vs Manchester United
Brendan Rodgers will hope his side pick their first home win against Manchester United since 2014 which will secure Champions League qualification for next season while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men need just a draw to make it into the biggest European club competition.
The Foxes will hope Marc Albrighton could return as they are currently faced with injury crises with Ben Chilwell, James Maddison, and long-term absentee Ricardo Pereira out while Çaglar Soyuncu is still serving suspension.
The Red Devils have Luke Shaw still trying to recover from an ankle injury and Eric Bailly’s head looks fine after his early substitution against Chelsea during the FA Cup while Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones remain on the sidelines.
Head-to-Head
Both sides have played 27 times with Manchester United winning 27 and Leicester City just 2 and 7 draws between them.
Leicester have won just one of their 13 Premier League home matches against Manchester United (D4 L8), beating them 5-3 in September 2014.
Jamie Vardy has 23 Premier League goals for Leicester this season, just one short of his best ever tally of 24 in a top-flight campaign achieved in 2015/16).
Man Utd need a draw to finish in the top four and are unbeaten in their last 10 matches v Leicester (W7 D3).
Harry Maguire will become the first Man Utd outfield player since Gary Pallister in 1994/95 to start every match in a Premier League campaign if he is named in the startingXI.
James Maddison, Ben Chilwell, Christian Fuchs, Daniel Amartey and Ricardo Pereira will miss Sunday’s game due to injury. Çağlar Söyüncü is absent through suspension
Probable XI
Leicester City: Schmeichel; James Justin, Evans, Morgan, Albrighton, Ndidi, Tielemans, Fuchs, Pérez, Iheanacho, Vardy
Man United: De Gea; Maguire, Lindelof, Williams, Wan-Bissaka; Matic, Pogba, Bruno; Rashford, Greenwood, Martial.
Officials of the Game
Referee: Martin Atkinson. Assistants: Lee Betts, Constantine Hatzidakis. Fourth official: Oliver Langford.
Replacement official: Robert Merchant. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Peter Kirkup.
Prediction
Both sides will go for the kill and the two managers are known for their attacking football. However, the many injuries on the part of Leicester City may affect their rhythm and see United runaway with the vital win. Score: Leicester 2-4 Man United.
Chelsea vs Wolves
The Blues were hammered 5-3 at Anfield in their last match but need just a point to secure a UEFA Champions League spot. Wolves are out of the running for UCL running but desperate to secure Europa League qualification and their best finish in the English top flight.
Wolves have no injury concerns as they bid to finish sixth but Chelsea are hoping N’Golo Kante returns to full fitness while youngster Billy Gilmore will miss out due to injury.
Head-to-Head
Both sides have played 11 times in the premier league with Chelsea winning 8 and Wolves 2 while the other match ended in a draw.
The Blues are unbeaten in all five of their Premier League home meetings with Wolves (W4 D1).
Tammy Abraham has scored in all three of his league appearances for Chelsea against Wolves, netting six goals in total, including a hat-trick in the Blues’ 5-2 win in the reverse fixture.
Since returning to the Premier League in 2018, Wolves have scored five goals in three top-flight matches against Chelsea. They had only managed four in their first eight such outings against them.
Raul Jimenez’s 17 Premier League goals this season have been worth 19 points to Wolves, more than any other player in the competition. His eight match-winning goals in 2019/20 are another divisional high.
Probable XI
Chelsea: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Zouma, Alonso; Barkley, Jorginho, Kovacic; Willian, Giroud, Pulisic.
Wolves: Patricio; Coady, Boly, Saiss; Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Jota, Jimenez.
Officials of the Game
Referee: Stuart Attwell. Assistants: Adam Nunn, Simon Long. Fourth official: Gavin Ward.
Replacement official: Akil Howson. VAR: Simon Hooper. Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton.
Prediction
Chelsea are playing for their lives and they would’ve been inspired by the late rally against Liverpool despite losing 5-3 at Anfield. Wolves struggles against the Blues and it may continue at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Chelsea 2-0 Wolves.
source:- fcnaija
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