Michael Owen predicts Leeds v Manchester United clash
Michael Owen has backed Manchester United to beat Leeds United 2-1 in Sunday’s hotly-contested clash at Elland Road.
It will be the first Premier League meeting between these great rivals since October 2003, when a late Roy Keane goal proved to be the difference in a season that ended in relegation for the Whites.
After 16 seasons out of the top-flight this fixture finally rears its head in West Yorkshire again, and both sides head into the game in confident mood with a five-match unbeaten run apiece.
Writing in his BetVictor predictions column, ex-Red Devils striker Owen anticipates a tight battle but thinks Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will edge it.
“This is the fixture every Leeds fan will have been looking forward to all season long,” he said.
“A home fixture against rivals Manchester United and all that comes with it is always a highlight in the calendar.
“Leeds come into this after two terrific results, beating Manchester City away and drawing at home to Liverpool last week. They’ll fancy their chances here, however, they’re up against arguably the best side in the league when it comes to counter-attacking football.
“The Red Devils have mastered the art of winning away from home, and if Leeds have a go here, I think United will pick them off. It’s 2-1 to Manchester United for me.”
Desperate to make amends
If this fixture wasn’t big enough on its own, December’s encounter should act as an extra source of motivation for the Whites players that were involved on that fateful day at Old Trafford.
The hosts flew out of the blocks to surge into a 2-0 lead within three minutes, and it was four by the 37th minute.
We ended up losing 6-2 and it was a harrowing defeat that brought us back down to earth after brushing Newcastle United aside 5-2 just four days earlier.
But we battled back from this disappointment and there is a maturity about our play now, evidenced by a run of just four goals conceded in our last five games, which has included fixtures against the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea.
We’ll be looking for a big improvement on that display and a win would do wonders to our chances of securing a top-ten finish and an unlikely late run for the European spots.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay shares what he noticed James Milner say after Whites 1-1 draw v Liverpool.