Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Desperately seeking an essential boost on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City will travel to the King Power when they meet Leicester.
Leicester
Starting with the hosts, while Leicester might have got Ruud van Nistelrooy’s tenure underway with a 3-1 victory at home against West Ham on December 3rd, the Foxes have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Suffering a collapse away at Liverpool on Boxing Day as they eventually fell to a 3-1 loss at Anfield, the former Manchester United interim boss has a real job on his hands. Slumping to a woeful 3-0 drumming at the hands of fellow strugglers Wolves last week, Leicester find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap. Losing each of their last three Premier League appearances by an aggregate score of 10-1, the Foxes open Sunday’s showdown holding just a one-point buffer from dropping into the drop zone. It should also be noted, shipping 40 Premier League goals so far this season, no team among England’s elite have conceded more top-flight strikes.
Leicester Team News
While attacking talisman Jamie Vardy might have missed out at Anfield on Boxing Day with a knock, Leicester are hopeful that the former England striker will be able to make a return here. However, all still dealing with respective injury issues, the likes of Issahaku Fatawu, Mads Hermansen and Portuguese defender Ricardo Pereira remain on the sidelines.
Settling for a spot on the bench against Liverpool earlier in the week, Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte will be hoping to make a first start since December 3rd. Returning from an injury issue last week, ex-Tottenham star Harry Winks will start in the middle of the park.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, while Manchester City might have made real history last season as they became the first club in English history to claim four consecutive Premier League titles, the Sky Blues find themselves in the midst of an infamous rut. Suffering their own respective collapse on Boxing Day as they had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Everton, Pep Guardiola’s men have remarkably claimed just a single victory from any of their previous 13 appearances across all competitions. With that record-breaking slump stemming all the way back to the end of October, Sunday’s guests are desperately seeking some kind of boost. Dropping out of the European position entirely, Man City will once again have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders here. Winning their last four Premier League meetings against Leicester by an aggregate score of 11-4, Guardiola’s side are desperate to avoid another potential banana skin.
Manchester City Team News
All missing out against Everton on Boxing Day, Man City are expected to be without the likes of Oscar Bobb, Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish and John Stones. Likewise, undergoing knee surgery back in September, newly-crowned Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is not expected to feature over the remainder of the campaign.
Despite missing from the penalty spot earlier in the week and now failing to find the net in any of his last four appearances across all competitions, Erling Haaland will lead the line on Sunday afternoon. Midfield talisman Kevin de Bruyne could be handed a full recall at the King Power.
Leicester vs Manchester City Key Factors to Consider
- When Leicester and Manchester City last met back in April 2023, the Sky Blues collected a 3-1 victory on home soil.
- Guardiola’s side have won their last four Premier League meetings against the Foxes by an aggregate score of 11-4.
- However, on what has become an infamous rut, Man City have recorded just a sole win from any of their previous 13 appearances across all competitions.
- Leicester have lost each of their previous three Premier League outings by an aggregate score of 10-1.
- Conceding 40 Premier League goals so far this season, no team among England’s elite hold a worse defensive tally.
Conclusion
While Manchester City might have won each of their last four Premier League meetings against Leicester by an aggregate score of 11-4, the Sky Blues find themselves at the heart of a public crisis. Remarkably recording just a sole victory from any of their previous 13 appearances across all competitions, Guardiola’s camp are desperately seeking a much-needed boost. Despite meeting a Leicester squad that have continued to show a string of glaring defensive issues, City could have another potential banana skin on their hands.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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