Man Utd v Leeds Prediction & Bet Builder : Cards and entertaining encounter expected at Old Trafford

Manchester United take on Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday in a 12:30pm kick-off at Old Trafford.

After finishing second in the Premier League last season, Man Utd have signed Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho in big fees this summer, potentially taking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to a new level as they look to win the Premier League for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Leeds, meanwhile, enjoyed a remarkable return to England’s top flight last season, finishing ninth with the best points haul for a newly promoted side since Ipswich Town in 2001.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have had a quieter transfer window than their forthcoming opponents, only bringing in left-back Junior Firpo from Barcelona, but still possess plenty of quality to sustain themselves in their second season.

Man Utd are odds-on 8/15 favourites to win, with the draw 7/2 and a Leeds win 19/4.

With Paul Tierney at the whistle, backing cards seems like the obvious start in what could be a fiery tussle.

No PL referee averaged more than the 40-year-old’s 4.04 cards per game last season, while 17 of his last 20 games in all comps have seen both teams receive 1+ card each, so this goes straight into our Leeds v Man City Builder.

Only Liverpool and Manchester City averaged more corners per game than Leeds (6.03) last season, while Man Utd averaged 5.95 at Old Trafford, so we will back both teams to have over two each.

Lastly, while Leeds’ defence massively improved after their 6-2 drubbing at Old Trafford in late December, we don’t see them keeping a clean sheet, so will back Man Utd to score.

The ‘classic’ bet of Man Utd to win, BTTS, 4+ corners each team & 2+ cards each team is 18/1 with Paddy Power, which looks a very tasty prie.

10 of Tierney’s last 20 games in all comps have seen both teams receive 2+ cards each, while Man Utd and Leeds ranked 4th and 6th respectively for yellow cards received in the PL last season.

England stars Harry Maguire (11) and Kalvin Phillips (10) were both major contributors towards those records, with both hitting double figures for cautions received in the PL last season.

Raphinha, meanwhile, was one of the breakout stars of the season, registering six goals and nine assists.

The Brazilian loves to cut inside onto his left foot and strike at goal, so I’m amazed to see him at odds-against to register a shot on target, making a treble of this and the two aforementioned players to be carded better than 20/1.

With Paddy Power offering new and existing customers a completely free £5 bet builder on this match, you’ve got two great options to consider for a circa £100 return there.

Two other players I’m surprised to see odds-against to land a shot on target are Paul Pogba and Jack Harrison.

Both midfielders have plenty of goals in their locker, so trebling them up with Raphinha provides a tasty 11/1 shot.

Pogba also looks overpriced to be carded at 5/1, as does Stuart Dallas at 6/1, with the pair providing a 45/1 longshot (bet365).

Selections:

Both Teams To Receive A Card, Over 2 Corners for Man Utd, Over 2 Corners for Leeds, Over 0 Goals for Man Utd @ 1/1 (bet365)

Man Utd to win, BTTS, 4+ corners each team & 2+ cards each team @ 18/1 (Paddy Power)

Kalvin Phillips, Harry Maguire to be carded & Raphinha 1+ SOT @ 20/1 (Paddy Power)

Raphinha, Paul Pogba & Jack Harrison 1+ SOT each @ 11/1 (Paddy Power)

Stuart Dallas & Pogba to be carded @ 45/1 (bet365)