Verdict: Home win
Best Odds: 2/7
Bookmaker: Bet 365
Manchester City will be hoping for the three points in order to maintain their push for a top-four finish when they host Leicester City on Saturday lunchtime at the Etihad.
Manchester City
Of of all the teams outside the top-two vying for a Champions League spot, Manchester City look the best equipped to do so. The Citizens sit in fourth place and are one point behind Liverpool with a game in hand, but are also three points ahead of fifth placed Arsenal. Their 5-0 demolition of Crystal Palace last week was a sign of what Pep Guardiola’s men are capable of, however they need to do it more consistently next season if they are to achieve any success. City have only won three of their last seven Premier League games but their stubbornness in staying in the top-four has been supported by their rivals emulated inconsistences. The club seem to have a problem seeing games out at the Etihad, and like Manchester United, they have drawn a lot of matches at home, seven to be precise. However, Guardiola will be determined to win his next three games and, if they do so, they will be guaranteed Champions League football next season, something which is a bare necessity for City fans. The Citizens should be confident of achieving their aim as they face West Bromwich Albion and Watford in their last two games of the campaign.
Team News
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and defender John Stones face last fitness tests on their injury problems.
Claudio Bravo and Ilkay Gundogan are long-term absentees.
Leicester City
Manager Craig Shakespeare’s arrival in place of title-winner Claudio Ranieri seems to have brought back the old Leicester City we were so used to seeing last year. The Foxes have won seven times in 10 league games since the Englishman took over and are now sitting happily in the top half of the table, even though at one stage it looked like the club would be in a desperate relegation scrap. City are only two points behind eighth placed West Brom and Shakespeare will be motivating his players to finish above them and carry some momentum into next season. Leicester followed up their 1-0 win at the Baggies with a 3-0 win at home against Watford last week, but they haven’t managed to address their poor away record. The Midlands club have only won twice away all season and for a team defending the Premier League crown, those are pretty shocking statistics. The Premier League champions have only kept one clean sheet in eight games away from the King Power Stadium and they could be in for a long afternoon against the attacking likes of Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane and David Silva.
Team News
Midfielder Danny Drinkwater will miss the rest of the season due to a thigh injury.
Robert Huth could miss the game because of a foot problem, while captain Wes Morgan also remains out.
Key Factors to Consider
- Man City have won their last four home Premier League fixtures against reigning champions
- Pep Guardiola’s side have only lost once at the Etihad all season
- Leicester City are looking to win back-to-back away wins for the first time since April 2016
- Man City have only won two of their last seven league fixtures with the Foxes (D2 L3)
- Leicester have beaten Man City in their last two games
Conclusion
Considering Leicester City’s dreadful away record and Manchester City’s determination to finish in the top-four, you have to go with a Citizens win. Guardiola’s men were phenomenal the way they comfortably beat Crystal Palace 5-0 last week and they will win on Saturday if they play to anywhere near the same standard.
Verdict: Home win
Best Odds: 2/7
Bookmaker: Bet 365
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