Manchester City host league leaders Leicester City at the Etihad in the early kick-off on Saturday, hoping to draw level on points with the Foxes with a win in front of their home supporters.
As we approach the business end of the season, Leicester City still find themselves at the top of the league, while Manchester City look to be shaping up for another assault on the league title. Manuel Pellegrini’s men are favourites for the Premier League crown in the eyes of many, and beating Claudio Ranieri’s side on Saturday will only reaffirm that belief.
Leicester City have spent several months defying logic and all expectations, and the ‘fall’ that pundits have been predicting in the second half of the season has yet to come. The Foxes will go into the weekend’s clash high on confidence after defeating Liverpool, and if they can pull off what will be their biggest upset yet, many will give a serious thought to the idea of Leicester actually lifting the Premier League trophy come May.
Team News
Manchester City
Possible starting lineup (4-4-2): Hart; Zabaleta, Sagna, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Yaya Touré (C), Silva, Sterling; Agüero, Iheanacho
Leicester City
Possible starting lineup (4-4-2): Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan (C), Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Kanté, Albrighton; Okazaki, Vardy
Match Stats
- Manchester City have been better at home than any other team in the Premier League this season, winning 28 points (W9 D1 L2).
- Leicester City have won more points away from home than any other team this season — 25 (W7 D4 L1).
- Manchester City have failed to score in just one of their Premier League games at the Etihad this season.
- Jamie Vardy has scored the opening goal of a game eight times this season — a record matched by no other player.
- Sergio Agüero has the best goals to minutes ratio — a goal every 95 minutes — of any goalscorer in the league in 2015/16 (minimum of 1000 minutes).
Prediction
Manchester City 2 – 1 Leicester City
Manuel Pellegrini’s side will know the importance of winning this game, and despite the absence of a few key players, City have enough depth to be able to overcome Leicester at the Etihad. While it will not be an easy game, an in-form Agüero could prove to be the difference between the two sides, particularly given the Foxes’ defence has not always been impeccable.
Odds (bet365)
Manchester City win: 1.61
Draw: 4.20
Leicester City win: 6.00