Jamie Vardy v Chris Smalling: The Key Battle In Leicester City v Manchester United

When Leicester host Manchester United on Saturday Night Football, the Premier League's leading marksman, Jamie Vardy, will come up against in-form defender Chris Smalling.

Vardy goes into this game having equalled Ruud van Nistelrooy's stellar feat of scoring in 10 successive Premier League games. Should he extend that streak and score on Saturday, the record will be exclusively his.

Vardy's recent form has rightly been accompanied by widespread praise. He's scored four more goals than any other player in the English top flight, and only Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (15) and Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski (14) have scored more goals across Europe's top five divisions.

Searing pace is a major factor in Vardy's game. He officially clocks in as the Premier League's fastest player, giving him a handy advantage over every defender he faces. He leads the line for an especially speedy Leicester side that, remarkably, have five of the division's 17 quickest players.

Unsurprisingly, this pace helps Leicester enforce their counter-attacking style that's proved so effective this season. They have attempted the most shots and scored the joint-most goals from counter-attacking situations, with Vardy responsible for the vast majority (eight shots and two goals).

Many of these moves have been launched by their ability to win possession in advanced areas more often than any other side, with Vardy's pace and relentless energy again crucial. Just five of Vardy's 13 goals have had more than one pass in the build-up, emphasising the rapid, sudden nature of many attacks.

Trying to suppress Vardy's lightening-quick offence will be England colleague, Smalling; a player who is gradually gaining recognition in Manchester United's defence.

The former Maidstone man is officially the hardest man to score against this season, boasting more clean sheets than any other Premier League player, and he's also been the one constant in his side's miserly defence.

Individually, Smalling ranks as one of the most proactive defenders this season, as just five players tally more tackles, interceptions, fouls, clearances and blocks. While it's never enough to highlight a defender's proficiency with cumulative stats - with a busy defender not always a productive defender - one who combines such regular actions with clean sheets and a lack of shots faced is clearly performing well.

Like every defender facing Vardy, Smalling doesn't possess the pace to trouble his opponent, and this is an area the Leicester man will look to find his usual advantage. However, United have proven especially adept at keeping opposing teams away from their penalty area this season, and this is something that will encourage Smalling.

As Vardy's touch map against Newcastle illustrates, Leicester simply try and involve him where it matters, in the attacking third.

Every single one of his 13 goals have come from inside the box, which is exactly where Smalling and his defensive peers have successfully kept opponents away from.


The United defender also presents a much sterner test than Leicester's recent opponents, with just one of their past 10 fixtures against teams currently in the Premier League's top seven.

Vardy's 10-game streak deserves the considerable acclaim it's currently generating. He will be desperate to take the record for himself and, roared on by a fervent home crowd, will be fancied by many to do just that. Facing one of the division's in-form defenders marshalling one of its leading defensive units, Smalling presents Vardy with a fitting final hurdle.

Credit: Skysports.com