during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Leicester City at St Mary’s Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Southampton, England.

Leicester City vs. Manchester United, the unlikeliest 1 vs. 2 matchup in years

At just over 1/3 into the English Premier League season, we are in the presence of a 1 vs. 2 matchup that would not have been expected weeks ago, much less at the start of the season. Now, Leicester City vs. Manchester United, as the top two teams in the Premier League, will spark the start of the busy December month where the table will be turned upside down.

Leicester City, who at this point last year was solidly in 20th spot and poised to be relegated, now somehow stands above everybody in England at the top of the Premier League table. Manchester United is a more likely 2nd place team but given their lack of scoring recently, it’s kind of surprising they have scored enough to get to 2nd place anyway.

It was also early last season that Leicester City and Manchester United last played at King Power Stadium. The game wound up being a thriller as Leicester came back from two goals down to win 5-3. Obviously a lot more has changed than Leicester’s rise in the table. The three man tandem of Riyad Mahrez, Marc Albrighton and Jamie Vardy have fired up the Foxes and made them into a cant miss, entertaining side who have come back from behind and won or drew six times so far this season. Nearly have of their games have involved coming back from behind and getting a result. That grit and determination is the reason why Leicester City is top of the table. Will they win the title? No, but if they can survive December in the top four and not sell anybody in the January window, maybe they can grab a Champions League spot.

It also helps that Jamie Vardy is on a near unprecedented goal scoring streak. The most surprising superstar in the Premier League is on a 10 game EPL goal scoring streak and tied with former Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy for the record. A goal against United will give Vardy the record.

Manchester United keeps chugging along and even though it’s very difficult to score goals, they somehow find points. It may not be glamorous but that is how you win a Premier League title. When your team plays like it deserves a loss and draws or they deserve a draw and win, those points mean a difference compared to those who actually lose or draw in those games.

As for as the upcoming game is concerned, I would have to say that Leicester City has the advantage over Manchester United today. Normally, I would give United the edge but I just have the feeling Leicester is going to win by multiple goals. Leicester City hasn’t had to play a European game midweek while Man United played PSV to a 0-0 draw. Now while Leicester City only has two clean sheets, Manchester United has one of their best chances to solve their scoring woes but their top notch defense will be getting a test and it’ll be a tougher test than what they experienced against PSV.

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @phillipbupp

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