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At Old Trafford, the rematch of the eighth day of the Premier League is played between Manchester United and Leeds. Ironically, in a few days, the two will face off again at Elland Road for the return leg. This double confrontation is very important for both, and the stakes add tension to a game that is already very close; the two are great rivals. Manchester United are third in the standings and are aiming for second place among their fellow citizens of City; the trend of the last few weeks suggests that overtaking is not impossible. In fact, the Red Devils have almost always won after returning from the World Cup break: 11 matches out of 13, of which the majority, 8, had at least a two-goal difference.
Leeds, on the other hand, are almost at the bottom of the table, and for Marsch’s men, the situation is getting tougher. The FA Cup victories do not mask the team’s deep struggles in the league, where it has not won in eight days; the 18 points mean it is tied for third place. If Leeds can maintain a decent home performance, the average points per game drops from 1.3 to 0.5.
Form Guide
Manchester United DLWWWW
After beating Crystal Palace by a score of 2-1 in the Premier League, Manchester United will be looking for more of the same and will be encouraged by their previous performance.
During that match, Manchester United held 54% of the control of the ball and had 14 shots on goal, with 5 of those shots hitting the target. On the other hand, Crystal Palace had 10 shots on goal, but they only managed to hit the target three times.
In each and every one of their most recent six encounters, Manchester United have been able to put the ball in the back of the net, demonstrating that they are unable to stop themselves from scoring goals.
Leeds United DLWDWL
After suffering a defeat in their most recent Premier League match, which took place against Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and the fans who traveled with them will be hoping for a different outcome in this contest.
During that match, Leeds United held 70 percent of the possession and had 10 shots on goal, with four of them finding the target. Their competitors, Nottingham Forest, had a total of six shots on goal, only two of which were on target.
The statistics speak the story, and they show that Leeds United have been held scoreless in 5 of their last 6 matches, while also allowing their opponents to score 8 goals in total. When it comes to defense, Leeds United has a lot of room for improvement.
Coming into this matchup, Leeds United had failed to win any of their previous four league matches played away from Elland Road.
Manchester United vs Leeds United Predicted XI
Manchester United Predicted XI: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Sabitzer, Fred; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.
Leeds United Predicted XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Wober; Adams, McKennie; Sinisterra, Aaronson, Gnonto; Rutter.
Prediction
In this game, Leeds United will face a Manchester United side that has the potential to be dominant, therefore scoring a goal will be a difficult task for them to accomplish.
When the game is over, we anticipate that Manchester United will have earned a resounding victory by a score of 3-0, giving them a significant margin of victory.
Unprecedented clash at the Stade Moulay Abdallah in Rabat, Morocco, in the final of the Club World Championship. In fact, Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid will face Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in what will be the third time for an Asian team in the final and, curiously, always against Real Madrid. The match is scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2023, and the balance is clearly on the side of the Madrid players, who walked against the Egyptians of Al-Ahly in the semifinal by beating them 4-1 with goals from Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, and Sergio Arribas. Ramon Diaz’s Al-Ahly, instead, had to face one more round, and after eliminating the Moroccans of Wydad Athletic Club on penalties, he did the feat by defeating the most popular Flamengo in the semifinals 3-2 with two goals from a penalty by Salem Al Dawsari and a goal by Lucas Vietto.
The last Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, is in serious doubt at Real Madrid, who will not be able to have Courtois in goal, Militao and Mendy in defense, Lucas Vazquez in midfield, and Hazard in attack. Al-Hilal’s concerns concern defender Khalifah Al-Dawsary and midfielder André Carrillo.
Form Guide
Real Madrid WWDWLW
Real Madrid will want to pick up right where they left off in their previous match, which was a victory against Al Ahly by a score of 1-4 in the FIFA Club World Cup.
According to their most recent results, the Real Madrid defense has been having a very successful time recently. Real Madrid’s defense has been strong, as evidenced by the fact that the number of goals scored against them in the last six matches they’ve played is just three.
Al-Hilal WWDLDW
In their most recent match, Al-Hilal prevailed over Flamengo 2-3 in the FIFA Club World Cup. This victory will give them a boost of confidence heading into the matchup.
Al-Hilal, coached by Ramón Dáz, have won their last six matches and have scored a total of ten goals in those victories. They have conceded a total of 7 goals in those same matches when you add up all of the goals they have given up.
Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal Predicted XI
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Nacho, Rudiger, Alaba; Kroos, Tchouameni, Modric; Valverde, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
Al-Hilal Predicted XI: Al-Mayouf; Abdulhamid, Jang, Al-Bulaihi, N. Al-Dawsari; Kanno, Cuellar; Marega, Vietto, Al-Dawsari; Ighalo.
Prediction
We think that Al-Hilal could score a goal against this Real Madrid team, but we also think that a single goal won’t be enough to keep them from losing.
Our prediction is for a very close game, with Real Madrid emerging victorious by a score of 2-1 by the time the match is over.
Strange fate for Leeds United and Manchester United, who, after meeting on Wednesday in the added time of the eighth day of the Premier League, with the Old Trafford match ending 2-2 thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, which allowed the hosts to come back from Wilfried Gnonto’s goal and Raphael Varane’s own goal, will face each other at Ellan Road in the match of the 23rd round.
Michael Skubala’s Leeds are only 16th in the league, a point clear of third bottom, while Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils are third on 43 points and have 7 points from Arsenal and 5 from Manchester City, but compared to the top two in the class, they have 2 and 1 more game. Leeds will be without Gray, Dallas, Perkins, Forshaw, and Rodrigo, while United will be without Antony, Eriksen, McTomiway, and van de Beek. Casemiro will return after being disqualified in the last match.
Form Guide
Leeds United LWDWLD
The previous match for Leeds United in the Premier League was a draw, 2-2, against Manchester United. They will play in this match immediately following that match.
During that game, Leeds United had 34% possession of the ball and 8 shots on goal, with only 2 of those shots hitting the target. On the other end of the field, Manchester United had 24 shots on goal, with 7 of them landing in the net.
In recent years, it has been far too rare for Leeds United to demonstrate any sort of defensive resolve. The evidence suggests that Leeds United’s defense has been penetrated in five of their most recent six matches, resulting in the team conceding eight goals during that span.
Manchester United LWWWWD
At least three goals have been scored in five out of Manchester United’s previous six matches, bringing their total for those matches to a total of six.
During that game, Leeds United had 34% possession of the ball and 8 shots on goal, with only 2 of those shots hitting the target. On the other end of the field, Manchester United had 24 shots on goal, with 7 of them landing in the net.
During that stretch, the overall average number of goals scored in a game was 3.5, and Manchester United scored an average of 2.33 goals per game during that span.
Leeds United vs Manchester United Predicted XI
Leeds United Predicted XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Wober, Firpo; Adams, McKennie; Summerville, Aaronson, Gnonto; Bamford.
Manchester United Predicted XI: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Sabitzer, Fred; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.
Prediction
When we consider these two teams, we believe that Leeds United should have enough opportunities to break through the defense of this Manchester United team; however, we also believe that even a single goal may not be enough for Leeds United to avoid defeat.
It’s possible that Manchester United will pull out a victory with a score of 1-2 at the end of the game.
Villarreal hosts Barcelona at the Estadio de la Ceramica for the 21st round of La Liga. With 53 points, Blaugrana is eight lengths ahead of Real Madrid in second place. While Villarreal is sixth in the table and aiming for a place in the Champions League, it has the best attack (42 goals) for Xavi’s team, which can also boast the best defense with just 7 goals conceded. Four teams separate Barcelona and Villarreal in the table, with the hosts coming off back-to-back heavy league defeats. Barcelona had an unexpected 3-1 defeat against Elche in the previous round, while Barcelona has won six consecutive games and is coming off a 3-0 victory over Sevilla.
Villarreal initially struggled to digest the change on the bench with the farewell of Emery (signed by Aston Villa) for Setien, but can still aspire to the Champions League. Barcelona, on the other hand, is unstoppable, and after taking off with Real Madrid, they are aiming to win the championship thanks to Lewandowski, who is making all the difference in the world. Setien is likely to play 433 with Chukwueze, Gerard Moreno, and Pino in the offensive trident. A few more doubts in midfield, with Parejo’s point fixed. On the other hand, the same game system is ready for Xavi to confirm Lewa in the offensive trio together with Raphinha and Ansu Fati. From the first minute, there are no doubts in midfield with Pedri, Busquets, and Gavi. In the last direct clash on October 20, Barcelona won three to zero, with no history.
Form Guide
Villarreal WDLWLL
After suffering a loss to Elche CF by a score of 3-1 in their most recent La Liga match, Villarreal will be looking to bounce back with a better performance here.
During that match, Villarreal had 72 percent of the possession and 14 shots on goal, with only two of them finding the target. On the other side of the field, Elche had 18 shots on goal, with 7 of them landing in the correct spot.
In recent years, Villarreal has had very few instances in which they have maintained a scoreless streak. In fact, Villarreal have allowed goals to be scored against them in 5 of their most recent 6 matches, totaling 9 goals conceded along the way.
Barcelona WWWWWW
In their most recent match, Barcelona defeated Sevilla by a score of 3-0 to earn a win in the La Liga competition. During that game, Barcelona held 65% of the possession and had 16 shots on goal, with 7 of them finding the back of the net.
Three of Sevilla’s shots were directed toward the goal, but only one of them was successful.
In recent games involving Barcelona, there has been a clear pattern of at least one opponent failing to score a goal in those matches. When looking back over their most recent 6 meetings, we can see that it has occurred 5 times. The total number of goals scored by both teams in these contests is one, with Barcelona leading the way with thirteen.
Villarreal vs Barcelona Predicted XI
Villarreal Predicted XI: Reina; Foyth, Albiol, P Torres, Mojica; Capoue, Parejo; Chukwueze, Baena, Pino; G Moreno.
Barcelona Predicted XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Alba; Pedri, De Jong, Gavi; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Fati.
Prediction
When playing this Barcelona team, we believe that Villarreal will have a difficult time finding the back of the net. However, we anticipate that Barcelona will prevail in this match.
So, our prediction is that Barcelona will win by a razor-thin margin of 1-0 after ninety minutes of play.