Prediction: Leicester City vs Manchester City

Verdict: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what could be a mouth-watering affair on Saturday afternoon, Leicester will welcome defending champions Manchester City to the King Power Stadium this weekend.

Leicester City

Starting with the hosts, putting in what was a hugely worrying display as they were blown away thanks to a 4-1 drumming away at West Ham on August 23rd, the Foxes would have been relieved to have made an immediate return to winning ways. While Brendan Rodgers’ side might not have been at their best once again before heading into the international break, the one-time Liverpool boss saw his side avoid a real banana skin as they clinched a 2-1 win against Norwich in East Anglia. Still looking to fully recover after once again missing out on a Champions League return on the final weekend last season, Leicester should at least be boosted by what is an eye-catching record against the defending champions. Lifting the Community Shield title over the summer as they landed a stunning 1-0 win at Wembley, Rodgers’ side have in fact won two of their last three meetings against Saturday’s guests, including that famous 5-2 romp at the Etihad last season.

Team News

Leicester have been boosted by the news that Jonny Evans and Jannik Vestergaard are in contention to feature on Saturday afternoon after overcoming injury issues.

Along with Ryan Bertrand being given the green light to return this weekend, Brendan Rodgers will only be missing James Justin, Wesley Fofana and Ayoze Perez.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, while Manchester City might have opened the defence of their Premier League crown with a 1-0 defeat away at Tottenham, the English champions have bounced back in some style. Finding a real morale boost as they stormed their way to a 5-0 romp against top-flight returners Norwich on home soil, Pep Guardiola’s side also managed to sign off August with another free-scoring display at the Etihad. Coming up against his former right-hand man and struggling Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, the Sky Blues landed another 5-0 win and the mood in their camp should be at a real high. Appearing to have put that opening weekend defeat in North London behind them, the one-time Barcelona manager could be calling on Ferran Torres to spearhead their charge at the King Power. Once again finding the net while away on international duties with Spain, the 21-year-old bagged a brace against Arsenal a fortnight ago and has continued to gain a host of admirers.

Team News

Manchester City will be without both number one keeper Ederson and Gabriel Jesus after being hit with a FIFA-imposed suspension. This means that Scott Carson is likely to start between the sticks.

In what could be a real boost for the defending champions, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden could feature this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off in the Community Shield final on August 7th, Leicester picked up a shock 1-0 win at Wembley.
• However, Manchester City have landed back-to-back Premier League wins away at the King Power.
• The defending champions headed into the international break with back-to-back 5-0 wins against Norwich and Arsenal.
• Continuing on from last season, eight of Leicester’s last nine Premier League matchups have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Likewise, extending on from last season, five of Manchester City last six top-flight matchups have seen over 4.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Leicester might have managed to snatch the Community Shield title away from Manchester City last month thanks to a 1-0 win at Wembley, the Foxes could face a stern test here. Despite bouncing back from that 4-1 drumming away at West Ham with a hard-fought victory against Norwich a fortnight ago, Saturday’s hosts will be preparing for a long afternoon at the King Power. Last seen heading into September’s international break with a thumping display in their 5-0 romp against a struggling Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s defending champions really appear to have found their feet. Signing off August with back-to-back 5-0 wins, the Sky Blues will be looking to lay down another marker. Landing back-to-back Premier League wins away in Leicestershire, we’re backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet